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

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.