5 superstar free agents the NY Jets could target in the 2022 offseason

2. NY Jets free-agent target: Marcus Williams, S

The Jets seem unlikely to re-sign their own standout safety with Marcus Maye expected to depart in the offseason. But that only leaves an even greater hole at the position than there already was.

One player who can help fill that void in a big way is New Orleans Saints star safety Marcus Williams. Already one of the best safeties in football, Williams is arguably having a career year in 2021 as he's currently ranked as PFF's fourth-best safety with an 82.4 overall grade.

Williams has been ranked in the top-7 of all safeties by PFF in four of his five NFL seasons and has never received a season grade below 71.0. He's been a consistent playmaker in New Orleans' secondary for the last half-decade.

Unfortunately, even though the Saints absolutely want to re-sign him, their cap situation might make that impossible. Williams is currently playing under the franchise tag in 2021, but he'll be looking for a new contract in the offseason.

And at 25-years-old, he presents the Jets with an opportunity to upgrade in a big way at the safety position. He's a younger, better, healthier version of Marcus Maye.

I would expect the Jets to be very interested in Williams if he hits free agency. And by all accounts, he probably will. This is probably the most realistic high-profile target on this list.