5 players the NY Jets WILL target in free agency, per report

The NY Jets are less than 24 hours away from the start of the legal tampering period of free agency. In just a few hours' time, the NFL world will be sent into a frenzy with signings and other transactions.

It might just be the busiest time of the NFL calendar and surely a stressful period for organizations, but it offers plenty of excitement and intrigue for fans at the same time.

The Jets have surely had their eye on a number of free agents for quite some time now. Come Monday, their months of preparation will be put to the test. We even already have a decent idea of which players they will be targeting.

Connor Hughes of The Athletic reported on Sunday a list of five players the Jets "will pursue." Let's take a closer look at those five players.

5. NY Jets target: C.J. Uzomah, TE

One position the Jets are essentially guaranteed to come away with a new player at is tight end. The Jets are expected to be all over the tight end market and it's pretty much a certainty that they will sign at least one player at the position.

One name Hughes says to keep an eye on is Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah. Uzomah has spent the last seven years with the Bengals serving as a reliable, albeit unspectacular offensive contributor.

The 29-year-old is a good blocker with modest receiving production, but he's earned a very strong reputation as a locker-room leader and fan favorite. His recent injury history is a concern, but it isn't hard to see why the Jets are interested.

With most of the top tight ends not reaching the open market, Uzomah is an intriguing mid-tier option that wouldn't break the bank.

4. NY Jets target: B.J. Hill, DT

C.J. Uzomah isn't the only Bengals player the Jets will reportedly pursue, however. The Jets are also interested in signing defensive lineman B.J. Hill following his breakout 2021 season.

Hill was traded from the New York Giants to the Bengals in exchange for former first-round bust Billy Price just prior to the start of the 2021 season. It's safe to say the Bengals got the better of that deal.

Hill went on to record a career-high 5.5 sacks in 16 games while also setting new career-highs in tackles for loss and QB hits. He was an important part of a Bengals defensive line that helped carry the team to Super Bowl LVI.

At just 26-years-old, Hill could have a sizable market in free agency, but with the Jets looking to upgrade their defensive interior (especially with Folorunso Fatukasi likely to walk), he makes plenty of sense as a potential target.

3. NY Jets target: Laken Tomlinson, OG

The Jets seem likely to come away with a new starting right guard in free agency, and one player who's absolutely near the top of their list is Laken Tomlinson.

Even at 30-years-old, Tomlinson fits the criteria of everything the Jets are looking for in free agency. He's extremely durable having played 112 of a possible 113 games over his seven-year career, is a perfect scheme fit coming from the 49ers system, and, most importantly, is a darn good player.

Tomlinson has been ranked by PFF in the top-13 of all offensive guards in football in each of the last two seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2021. He's one of the better left guards in the NFL.

The Jets would likely ask him to switch sides which could hinder his interest in joining them, but if the Jets are willing to pay, they might just be able to land one of the best offensive linemen on the market.

2. NY Jets target: D.J. Jones, DT

Another 49ers player the Jets seem destined to target is D.J. Jones. There's been a lot of rumors floating around about the Jets' interest in Jones which shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

A former sixth-round pick, Jones has developed into a very consistent starting defensive tackle for the 49ers and someone who, at just 27-years-old, should be in for a decent payday this offseason.

With Foley Fatukasi likely to walk, Jones is the most realistic and appealing potential replacement. He offers more upside as a pass rusher and is a much better fit in the Jets' attacking 4-3 scheme.

Robert Saleh is reportedly a big fan of Jones from their time together in San Francisco and it seems very likely that a reunion could be in their immediate future.

1. NY Jets target: Marcus Williams, S

This would be the Jets' big splash of the offseason. Marcus Williams is primed to become possibly the highest-paid safety in the NFL when he hits the open market this week, and the Jets should be among his top suitors.

At just 25-years-old, Williams is arguably the best pure free safety in football. PFF has ranked him in the top seven of all safeties in four of his five seasons in the league and, despite never actually making a Pro Bowl, he's widely seen as one of the best players at his position.

Williams is exactly what the Jets are looking for. He's a phenomenal coverage safety with excellent ball skills (he has at least two interceptions in each of his five NFL seasons) who fills a major position of need.

The Jets are going to be heavily involved in the safety market this week. But if they want to make a real splash, they'll go for the top dog. Marcus Williams is very much on their radar.