NY Jets 'should pursue' TE Gerald Everett in free agency

With so many tantalizing free-agent options in 2022, the NY Jets could bring on a reliable tight end like Seattle Seahawks' Gerald Everett. A good tight end may be the last piece this Jets' offensive unit needs to succeed next season.

Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys will likely be the best free-agent tight end this offseason, but there's a fair chance Dallas holds onto him. Gerald Everett could become the next-best target, and the Jets have plenty of available cap space to sign him.

Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger recently listed one free agent every NFL team should pursue this offseason and suggested the Jets go after Gerald Everett.

"A former second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Everett would fit in Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s system and be an upgrade at tight end without breaking the bank."

- Brad Spielberger

The NY Jets could deepen their passing game by signing Gerald Everett

Everett ramped up his production in the second half of the 2021 season, finishing with a career-high 478 receiving yards and a 76.2 catch percentage. That marks his third-straight 400-plus yard season, and at 27-years-old, Everett is just hitting his stride.

New York punted on the tight end position group last year, but now that the team has a steady passing offense with Zach Wilson and Elijah Moore, it may be worth investing in a premier pass-catching tight end.

The Jets' tight end unit severely underperformed last season, as was to be expected. Ryan Griffin and Tyler Kroft tried to provide some security, but they ranked eighth and ninth respectively on the team in total receiving yards, beating out only Denzel Mims who also posted a forgettable season.

Everett presents a solid solution at tight end and would allow the Jets to use their draft picks on other areas of need like safety and pass-rusher. They could even further address the position in the draft.

There's little risk in picking up a seasoned pass-catcher like Gerlad Everett while the potential rewards of upgrading the tight end position for 2022 would be game-changing.