7 wide receivers the NY Jets can trade for after the Corey Davis retirement

The NY Jets suddenly have a hole at the wide receiver position following the shocking retirement of veteran Corey Davis. While the team's current wide receiver room is passable, Davis' absence isn't one that should be overlooked.

The former Tennessee Titans first-round pick was an outstanding run-blocker and an underrated part of the Jets' offense. Despite his injury issues over the last two seasons, you could very easily make the argument that he was the second-best wideout on the Jets' roster (even if he wasn't going to be used that way).

Options are limited for the Jets at this stage of the offseason, but Davis' retirement does give the team an additional $10 million in cap space. They should have no shortage of money to make a move if the opportunity arises.

From superstar additions to under-the-radar trade candidates, let's take a look at seven wide receivers the Jets could trade for following Davis' stunning retirement.

7. The NY Jets could trade for Anthony Schwartz

We'll start with a few low-profile players the Jets could trade for, including Cleveland Browns speedster Anthony Schwartz. Schwartz has failed to carve out a significant role in the Browns' offense since being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

He's hauled in just 14 catches for 186 yards over the first two years of his career and finds himself on the roster bubble entering the 2023 season. It might be time for a change of scenery.

Schwartz is one of the fastest players in the NFL, as he ran a blazing 4.27 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Unfortunately, he's battled injuries with the Browns and could be looking for a new team in the near future.

Schwartz wouldn't be anything more than a low-cost dart throw, but his speed and natural physical gifts are evident. He's a realistic trade candidate to keep an eye on.

6. The NY Jets could trade for Greg Ward

Former college quarterback Greg Ward has managed to carve out a productive NFL career despite undergoing a position change and spending time in the short-lived AAF.

Ward was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017, but he didn't make his debut for the team until 2019. The 28-year-old has hauled in 88 catches for 768 yards and 10 touchdowns in his four-year NFL career.

That said, Ward is very firmly on the roster bubble this season after spending most of last year on the Eagles' practice squad. Much like Schwartz, Ward would be a simple, low-cost (probably nothing more than what it took to trade for Denzel Mims) flyer for the Jets.

His history with Joe Douglas, dating back to their days together in Philadelphia, makes this feasible. The Jets could probably do better, though.

5. The NY Jets could trade for Hunter Renfrow

The first of two Las Vegas Raiders receivers on this list, Hunter Renfrow is coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled 2022 season that saw him finish with just 36 catches for 330 yards.

That's a far cry from the 100-catch, 1,000-yard season he put together with the Raiders in 2022. Because of his decline, there were some rumors the Raiders could look to trade him this offseason.

At this stage, it seems likely that the organization plans to keep him, but if the Raiders get off to a slow start, all bets are off. The Raiders have an out in his contract after 2023 and could look to give younger receivers like third-round pick Tre Tucker more playing time.

Renfrow feels like more of a midseason acquisition than anything, but he is a former Pro Bowl receiver who could be available at some point this season. That alone earns him a spot on this list.

4. The NY Jets could trade for Davante Adams

Consider these your pipe dreams. Renfrow is hardly the most notable Raiders wide receiver who has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. That honor belongs to six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams.

Adams, of course, has plenty of history with Aaron Rodgers, dating back to their many years together in Green Bay. Rodgers has hinted at a possible Adams trade and would almost certainly be open to the possibility.

It's likely that Adams would as well. That said, it would take a seriously disastrous start and/or some Adams discontent for the Raiders to consider trading him. He's not a realistic option at this stage.

Of course, that could change as the season progresses. For now, however, an Adams trade is little more than a pipe dream.

3. The NY Jets could trade for Mike Evans

The same could be said for the possibility of a Mike Evans trade. Evans remains one of the most underrated star wide receivers in recent NFL history. The four-time Pro Bowler has quite literally never finished with fewer than 1,000 yards in his nine seasons in the NFL.

Evans is a bonafide superstar, but with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entering a transitional period, there has been some talk that he could be an expensive trade chip at the deadline.

Evans is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, meaning that the Bucs could very well look to get something for him. That probably makes him a more realistic trade candidate than Adams.

Again, a pre-season Evans trade remains unlikely, but it's very much a possibility if the Bucs predictably struggle and the Jets are still looking for wide receiver help at the deadline.

2. The NY Jets could trade for Kendrick Bourne

Now, we get into the more realistic(ish) potential upgrades. We'll start with a player who might legitimately be the best wide receiver on the Jets' hated AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots, Kendrick Bourne.

Bourne isn't a flashy receiver by any means, but he does the little things. He's an excellent route runner, has reliable hands, and is a terrific blocker. He would be a perfect replacement for Davis.

The Patriots probably aren't very motivated to trade him at this moment, but given their abundance of young wide receiver depth and the fact that he will be a free agent at the end of the season, it might make sense to shop him around near the deadline.

Bourne has experience with Robert Saleh from their days together in San Francisco and would be an excellent midseason pickup for the Jets. If he's on the block at any point, the Jets should be very interested.

1. The NY Jets could trade for Michael Gallup

Michael Gallup is no stranger to trade rumors, and the former Dallas Cowboys third-round pick's name has once again come up in trade discussions this offseason.

The Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks and have been impressed with the development of second-year wide receiver Jalen Tolbert this summer. Gallup remains the WR3 in Dallas, but for how much longer?

In truth, Gallup hasn't been the same player since the torn ACL he suffered in the 2021 season. He's failed to top 500 yards in each of the last two seasons, admittedly due in part to the time he missed as a result of the injury.

The Cowboys would likely have to eat some money to make this work, given Gallup's large cap hits, but the Jets have plenty of financial flexibility as well. From a purely stylistic standpoint, Gallup makes a ton of sense as a Davis replacement.