NY Jets: 5 free agents who would instantly improve the roster

The NY Jets did an excellent job of bolstering a roster that was arguably the least talented in the entire NFL a year ago. While there's still work to be done, it's clear that the roster is vastly improved.

The wide receiver position received a significant overhaul with the likes of Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Keelan Cole joining the fray. The addition of Carl Lawson in free agency could give the Jets their best pass-rusher in years.

Meanwhile, the offensive line received a boost with the selection of Alijah Vera-Tucker in the 2021 NFL Draft. Not to mention the potential upgrade that Zach Wilson represents at quarterback.

Yes, the Jets roster looks much better on paper than it did just a few short months ago. But with an estimated $25 million in cap space, don't rule out them making a signing or two before the start of training camp.

The following five players aren't necessarily free agents the Jets are likely to sign, but each of them would instantly improve the roster. That doesn't even mean they should sign them, only that they would provide an upgrade in the short term.

Let's take a look at five players that would immediately improve the Jets' roster.

5. The NY Jets could sign QB Nick Mullens

The Jets may have added their hopeful quarterback of the future late last month, but they're still in search of his backup as we near the end of May.

The writing appeared to be on the wall that the team would bring in veteran Brian Hoyer after he visited with the Jets prior to the 2021 NFL Draft.

But Hoyer ended up re-signing with the New England Patriots last week, much to the chagrin of the Jets. That leaves the team with few viable backup options remaining on the free-agent market.

Far and away the best option, however, is former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens.

Mullens underwent elbow surgery in late December and has spent the offseason recovering, but he's easily the top option remaining on a market headlined by the likes of Robert Griffin III, Matt Barkley, and Brett Hundley.

Mullens has experience with the Jets' coaching staff having spent time with both Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur in San Francisco. And his prior starting experience makes him an excellent backup candidate.

To this point, the Jets haven't shown much interest, but perhaps they're waiting to see what happens with his medicals.

Either way, Mullens would instantly provide a boost to the quarterback room and give the Jets more stability than they currently have with James Morgan and Mike White backing up Zach Wilson.

4. The NY Jets could sign RT Morgan Moses

The Jets struck out on Joe Thuney in free agency, but made a huge addition selecting standout USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker 14th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Vera-Tucker should provide an upgrade both in the short and long-term, but the remainder of the Jets' offensive line is still intact, despite an underwhelming 2020 season.

That's why signing a player like Morgan Moses should be considered.

Moses was released by the Washington Football Team last week after starting 96 consecutive games at right tackle. He's coming off arguably the best season of his career and, even at the age of 30, still has it.

The Jets have George Fant penciled in as their starting right tackle and while the team does like Fant and believes he will improve in their new offensive system, Moses would still be an upgrade.

Ultimately, it's unlikely that the Jets seriously consider signing Moses. Fant already has half of his 2021 salary guaranteed and he's likely a better scheme fit than his free-agent counterpart.

But we're talking about potential upgrades in free agency. And Morgan Moses would certainly be an upgrade.

3. The NY Jets could sign CB Brian Poole

Just as a brief spoiler, the next three players on this list all play the same position. And it happens to be the position the Jets ignored the most in the offseason — cornerback.

Brian Poole has been the Jets' best cornerback over the last two seasons posting Pro Football Focus grades that ranked in the top-11 out of all cornerbacks in the NFL in both 2019 and 2020.

Despite this, the Jets haven't shown much of an urgency to bring him back. And the NFL really hasn't shown much interest either.

Perhaps it's his age (he turns 29 in October), the fact that he's coming off an injury, or simply because the NFL doesn't value the slot cornerback position. Either way, Poole is a good player who would be a steal of signing at this stage of the offseason.

The Jets drafted Duke's Michael Carter II in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and he's expected to compete with 2020 undrafted signing Javelin Guidry for the starting nickel job.

There's some potential with those two, but the Jets could still benefit from bringing Poole back.

While it makes sense to a degree, it seems as though the ship may have sailed on this one. The Jets appear content with the duo of Carter and Guidry competing for playing time in the nickel meaning that Poole's time in New York is likely over.

Still, it's hard to argue that Poole wouldn't be an upgrade, at least in the short term.

2. The NY Jets could sign CB Richard Sherman

If the Jets are going to add a veteran cornerback, it will likely come in the form of an outside cornerback. And one player whose name continues to pop up in rumors is Richard Sherman.

Sherman, of course, has plenty of history with Robert Saleh and the two think very highly of one another. The future Hall of Famer might have more appealing options, but don't rule out a potential reunion under Saleh in New York.

Sherman's market has developed slower than expected, and while he would like to sign with a contender, the Jets remain in the mix — at least as a fallback option.

The Jets are slated to enter the 2021 season with the duo of Bryce Hall and Blessuan Austin as their starting boundary corners. Hall, a 2020 fifth-round pick, showed promise in his rookie season, but is hardly even a starting-caliber player just yet — let alone a No. 1 corner.

As for Austin, the 2019 sixth-rounder surprised in his rookie campaign but took a major step back in 2020. He'll have to hold off 2021 draftees Jason Pinnock and Brandin Echols for the starting job.

All of this is to say that the Jets are incredibly inexperienced and unproven at cornerback. Sherman would not only provide experience, but he'd also give the team their best cornerback from a talent perspective.

He's just two years removed from being arguably the best cornerback in football and played well before getting injured last season.

If Sherman will consider the Jets, the Jets should absolutely consider Sherman.

1. The NY Jets could sign CB Steven Nelson

Steven Nelson remains arguably the best overall player remaining on the open market. After developing into a quality starter in Kansas City, Nelson signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2019 season.

And he quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in football.

Nelson finished 2019 as PFF's sixth-best cornerback with an elite grade of 80.5. And while he took a slight step back in 2020, he still managed a 68.1 grade that ranked 36th at his position.

At worst, Nelson is a high-end No. 2 cornerback who would instantly become the best player on the Jets depth chart. At best, he's a potential No. 1 cornerback who could receive a multi-year deal, even at this stage of the offseason.

Nelson only turned 28-years-old in January and still has plenty left in the tank. The Jets need cornerback help, not only in 2021, but they need building blocks at the position as well.

While Nelson might not be a super long-term option, he'd at least give the Jets a quality cornerback to rely on in 2021 and potentially even further into the future.

Upward to 14 teams reportedly remain interested in the former Oregon State star, potentially including the Jets.

No free agent remaining on the market would provide as much of an upgrade as Steven Nelson.