8 potential replacements for NY Jets safety Marcus Maye this offseason

2. The NY Jets could draft Kyle Hamilton to replace Marcus Maye

Now we get into the superstar options, starting with highly-touted Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is the best safety prospect the NFL has seen since Jamal Adams, and he's an even better prospect.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Hamilton looks like he was made in a football factory. He has elite size for the position which he couples with otherworldly range and football IQ to make him perhaps the top overall player in this year's class.

It's rare to see a safety taken in the top-10, let alone the top-5, but that's just the caliber of prospect Hamilton is. This man is a franchise-changing talent and someone you could build a defense around.

Would the Jets actually use a top draft pick on a safety? That much remains to be seen. But if they want to make a huge splash at the position, the best way to do it would likely be to draft Kyle Hamilton.

1. The NY Jets could sign Marcus Williams to replace Marcus Maye

If the Jets don't want to go the Kyle Hamilton route and instead want to spend big on the position in free agency, their best option would be to pursue New Orleans Saints star Marcus Williams.

Assuming Jessie Bates doesn't hit the open market, Williams is set to be the lone true star at the position in free agency and one of the best overall free agents at any position.

Williams has elite range and is one of the best zone-coverage safeties in the NFL today. His 80.1 PFF grade ranked eighth among all qualified safeties in 2021, and, combined with his durability (he hasn't missed more than two games in any season), Williams seems like an ideal target for Joe Douglas and the Jets.

The Saints absolutely want to keep him, but seeing as though they already franchise tagged him last offseason and that they're set to be over $60 million over the salary cap, it seems unlikely they're able to.

The Jets should absolutely pounce if given the chance, even if they have to pay top dollar.