7 logical targets for the NY Jets in 2024 free agency

The NY Jets may have lost some of the allure that they carried into free agency last year, so it is best for fans to be prepared for some names we may not be as familiar with as high-level free agents available.

Here are some realistic and logical targets for the Jets in free agency this offseason.

1. Jacoby Brissett, QB

• Contract Projection: 1 year, $9 million, (up to $12 million in incentives)

Jacoby Brissett will be one of the more sought-after backup quarterbacks in free agency, with a resume piling up of being able to step into any situation and be a more than capable fill-in.

Jets fans can even recall the Christmas Eve game, in which he stepped in for Sam Howell and nearly led a comeback victory against the Jets defense. If Brissett cannot find a job as a bridge starter elsewhere, expect the Jets to be all over this.

2. Tyron Smith, LT

• Contract Projection: 1 year, $12 million, ($10 million guaranteed)

A cheap-ish, solid starter at left tackle for a Jets team that hasn’t had consistent play at the position since D’Brickishaw Ferguson. Tyron Smith will be entering his age 33 season, and he has missed 17 games across the last two seasons.

However, when healthy, Smith is among the best of the best at the position. There's a good chance the Jets explore the market of the 14-year veteran.

3. Damien Lewis, OG

• Contract Projection: 3 years, $27 million, ($18 million guaranteed)

Damien Lewis is coming off a somewhat disappointing 2023 campaign, but he was fantastic in 2022 and was a huge part of Geno Smith's resurgence. In 2022, Lewis had an incredibly impressive 98.2 pass-blocking efficiency rating, allowing just 19 total pressures in the regular season.

He would fill in for Laken Tomlinson and be an instant upgrade to the left side of the Jets offensive front.

4. Darnell Mooney, WR

• Contract Projection: 3 years, $24 million, ($14 million guaranteed)

The Jets go with another cheap, high-upside receiver to fill out the room. Like Kendrick Bourne, Darnell Mooney hasn’t been given the opportunity to truly utilize his talents.

He’s been in a horrid situation in Chicago when it comes to being able to be a high-volume NFL receiver. Mooney plays bigger than his measurements and would be a great two or three option for Aaron Rodgers going into 2024.

5. Kendrick Bourne, WR

• Contract Projection: 2 years, $16 million ($10 million guaranteed)

Some might consider this a "dream" signing for the Jets, but Kendrick Bourne does come with some risk. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 last year. Before that, he was on track to have his best season ever. Bourne has always been an underutilized weapon throughout his pro career.

In San Francisco (2017-20), he was overshadowed by an absurd amount of talent on the offense, and over the past three years with the Patriots, he hasn’t gotten consistent enough quarterback play to put up eye-popping numbers.

As a third or fourth option on the Jets with Rodgers, this price tag would be worth it for a Jets team desperate for receiving depth.

6. Javon Kinlaw, DT

• Contract Projection: 1 year, $5 million, ($4 million guaranteed)

Javon Kinlaw is still looking to live up to that first-round status from 2020, and in 2023, he generated more pressure than his previous three seasons combined. Kinlaw reunites with Robert Saleh here with a semi-generous prove-it deal, adding to the Jets' depth on the defensive side of the ball.

7. Jordan Fuller, S

• Contract Projection: 1 year, $7 million, ($6 million guaranteed)

A different approach to the missing Jordan Whitehead, Jordan Fuller offers a new look for the Jets' safety position in 2024. He’s coming off a pretty productive season with Minnesota, having 94 tackles, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

Fuller isn’t the ball hawk that Whitehead was, but he is more than capable of filling in for this Jets secondary as a deep coverage safety.