5 potential replacements for NY Jets safety Lamarcus Joyner this offseason

The NY Jets defense was an absolute revelation in 2022, with Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Quinnen Williams leading them to elite status, but if they are to remain in that category, or even take a step forward, they'll need to make some good moves this offseason.

2022 free agent acquisition Jordan Whitehead has been targeted as a potential salary cap casualty, but one man we know for sure will not be with the team again is Lamarcus Joyner. If the Jets are to succeed at a high level again, they'll need a suitable replacement.

So who should Gang Green target this offseason?

5. The NY Jets could target Adrian Amos

Years ago, the Jets moved on from Jamal Adams for several reasons, but one of the biggest was their desire to not pay a safety premium price, so this offseason, it's very likely they'll stick to the same mantra.

That may rule out some top names, and leftover from that could be Adrian Amos, who would be a solid bridge safety for a team that will potentially draft one in the 2023 NFL Draft. While it's not a splashy move, it would allow the team to upgrade at other positions.

4. The NY Jets could target Jimmie Ward

The Jets and their fans made no secret about just how good their young players were in 2022, so perhaps the best way to fill Lamarcus Joyner's shoes is with another veteran. If that's the route the Jets want to go, San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmie Ward may be the best value-for-money option.

Ward isn't a long-term option, but as a bridge for a potential rookie, he would be the perfect option, and would arguably be the best veteran presence to replace Joyner. However, if the Jets believe they can be Super Bowl contenders this year, they may look to swing a little bigger.

3. The NY Jets Could Target C.J. Gardner-Johnson

While the Jets are looking to continue patiently building a playoff-caliber roster, there's a chance that they go all in with their young talent this season, and if they do, who better to bring in than C.J. Gardner-Johnson, fresh off his Super Bowl LVII appearance?

After being traded to Philadelphia in the 2022 offseason, Gardner-Johnson tallied six interceptions and was key to the back end of the Eagles' defense, and paired with Whitehead at the back, these two could cause havoc for anyone standing in the Jets' way.

2. The NY Jets could target Vonn Bell

While swinging and finally landing one of the big free-agent pieces would be perfect for the Jets, safety may not be the position to do it, so instead, they could pivot and look for a solid name that can fill a role in 2023 and beyond, allowing the stars of this team to step up and lead the squad.

A second-round pick back in 2016, Vonn Bell brings the perfect blend of experience, leadership, and affordability, and if they miss out on his safety partner for the past few years, he'd certainly be a veteran presence that can get it done in every way at the safety position.

1. The NY Jets should make Jessie Bates a priority

Before the 2022 season began, rumors were swirling that the Jets were potentially targeting Bengals safety Jessie Bates in a trade, and now that he's hitting free agency, bringing him in should be a top priority.

With Jordan Whitehead and Bates together, the Jets would have one of the most explosive secondaries in the entire NFL, and with the leadership he would bring, this would be the ideal time to lock him down on a long-term deal.