9 players the NY Jets can still target in 2022 free agency

The NY Jets have already added a whopping six notable players in free agency this offseason. Those six players will be asked to play roles ranging from part-time rotational players to cornerstones of the franchise.

On the surface, most would assume that the Jets are done adding external players, but that might not be the case. The Jets' interest in Chandler Jones last week shows that they could still look to make another high-profile addition.

On top of that, we're sure to see at least a few more depth signings in the coming days as the Jets look to fill out their roster. After all, this roster still needs plenty of work.

With that, let's take a look at nine remaining free agents the Jets could still target in the immediate future.

9. NY Jets target: Arden Key, DE

Arden Key may not have crossed paths with Jets head coach Robert Saleh, but he did play in a very similar defensive system in San Francisco this past season.

A former third-round pick of the Raiders, Key never lived up to expectations in Las Vegas and he was subsequently released before his rookie contract expired. The 49ers picked him up last spring and he went on to have easily the most productive year of his career.

Key finished with 6.5 sacks in 17 games despite entering the season with just three career sacks in 37 games. He established himself as an important part of the 49ers' pass-rush rotation.

Even after adding Jacob Martin earlier in the week, the Jets could look to bolster their pass-rush depth even more by adding another young ascending player with experience in a similar system.

8. NY Jets target: Za'Darius Smith, DE

Za'Darius Smith is one of the most high-profile free agents that remains on the market. The two-time Pro Bowler racked up 26 sacks between 2019 and 2020 before an injury-riddled 2021 campaign cut his time in Green Bay short.

It seemed as though Smith was headed back to Baltimore, however, his reported deal with the Ravens fell through and he landed back on the market. The Jets have a need at pass rusher and could look to bring him in.

Now, it's hard to say what type of scheme fit Smith would actually be. The 29-year-old has primarily been a stand-up pass rusher for most of his career, but he does have the size to play a regular 4-3 defensive end role.

If the Jets are still looking to make a big splash in free agency, they may not do much better than Za'Darius Smith.

7. NY Jets target: Solomon Thomas, DT/DE

One player who would fit in perfectly with the Jets' defensive scheme, however, is former third overall pick Solomon Thomas. Thomas obviously has experience with Robert Saleh dating back to their years together in San Francisco.

That experience could serve him well as he looks for a new home this offseason. The former draft bust fell well short of expectations in San Francisco, but he did find a regular role as part of the Raiders' defensive line rotation this past season.

Thomas is at his best when he's asked to play a hybrid defensive line role. At 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, Thomas is somewhat of a tweener and has the size to play on the interior.

He could be an excellent fit as somewhat of a backup to John Franklin-Myers who would be asked to play a similar hybrid position. Given how much Saleh likes to rotate his defensive line, having another player who can fill Franklin-Myers' role makes sense.

6. NY Jets target: Justin Houston, DE

There are a number of veteran pass rushers still on the market who, despite their age, remain pretty productive players. One such veteran is Justin Houston.

Houston may be in the twilight stages of his career, but he proved in 2021 that he can still make an impact. Despite registering only 4.5 sacks in 15 games, Houston finished as Pro Football Focus' 19th-best edge defender.

He held down a regular starting role in the Baltimore Ravens' defense as a rock-solid pass rusher and run defender. Even at age 33, he would be a worthwhile pickup for the Jets.

Of course, there's no guarantee that Houston would be willing to sign on with the Jets at this stage of his career. But it's certainly worth a shot.

5. NY Jets target: Melvin Ingram, DE

Many of the same things just said about Justin Houston apply to Melvin Ingram as well. The 32-year-old Ingram spent last season split between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, and much like Houston, he proved he still has something left in the tank.

He only recorded 2.5 sacks in 15 games (seven starts), but he actually finished with a whopping 51 pressures that ranked 23rd out of all edge defenders in the NFL, tied with the likes of Cameron Jordan and Brian Burns.

Ingram was a very productive player in 2021 and he's someone who can provide an important veteran presence to a relatively young pass-rush corps.

The three-time Pro Bowler has experience as both a 4-3 defensive end and stand-up outside linebacker, although much like Houston, convincing him to sign with a team that won't be contending in 2022 might be challenging.

4. NY Jets target: Kyzir White, LB

Shifting away from pass rushers, it's somewhat of a surprise that Kyzir White remains available after the first week of free agency has passed. At just 25-years-old, White is one of the fastest-rising young linebackers in the NFL.

The former fourth-round pick has developed into a quality starting linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers starting all 17 games this past season. White finished with a PFF grade of 66.5 that ranked 20th among all linebackers in football.

Perhaps more importantly is the fact that he's exactly the type of linebacker the Jets are looking for.

White is young, athletic, and even a former college safety. The Jets don't see the linebacker position as a significant need, but White would be a sizable upgrade in the form of someone who absolutely fits their system.

3. NY Jets target: Cornelius Lucas, OT

Even after signing Laken Tomlinson in free agency, the Jets could still look to add to their offensive line. One area that certainly needs some work is their offensive tackle depth.

Right now, the Jets' projected backup tackles are Conor McDermott and Chuma Edoga, and given the uncertainty surrounding Mekhi Becton's health, it would be foolish to not address the position further.

Perhaps the top available swing tackle option is Cornelius Lucas. Lucas has spent the last two seasons in Washington serving as a "swing tackle extraordinaire," as PFF puts it.

With 23 starts over the last three seasons and experience playing both left and right tackle, Lucas would be the perfect depth signing at what should be a reasonable price.

2. NY Jets target: Derek Barnett, DE

The Jets have been connected to former Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Derek Barnett in the past, but those have been trade rumors. Now a free agent, Barnett could be a player the Jets look to sign.

A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Barnett never panned out in Philadelphia as he managed just 21.5 sacks in five seasons concluding with a disappointing 2.5-sack season in 2021.

Still, at just 25-years-old, Barnett is one of the few young pass rushers left on the open market with any kind of consistent starting experience.

It certainly doesn't hurt matters that general manager Joe Douglas was a part of the front office that drafted him back in Philadelphia. Derek Barnett makes a ton of sense as a target for the Jets.

1. NY Jets target: Derrick Nnadi, DT

Perhaps the most underrated need remaining on the Jets roster is at defensive tackle. The Jets' run defense wasn't very good last season, and the team already saw their best run-defender, Folorunso Fatukasi, depart in free agency.

The Jets need both depth and impact players in their defensive interior. The best option remaining on the open market is former Kansas City Chiefs' third-round pick, Derrick Nnadi.

Nnadi has spent the better part of the last four years as the Chiefs' starting nose tackle/one-technique, and he could fill that same role in New York.

At only 25-years-old, Nnadi is not only another young player to build around on defense, but he's a better scheme fit than Fatukasi was. A perfect replacement, even if his price tag won't be super cheap.