4 non-Tyreek Hill wide receiver trade targets for the NY Jets

What a whirlwind of a 48 hours it's been for NY Jets fans. When most woke up on Wednesday, few could have imagined that the team would be connected to Tyreek Hill trade rumors and declared a finalist, only to see him instead go to a division rival in the span of 90 minutes.

It felt like a fever dream. It didn't feel real. Part of it still doesn't.

Nonetheless, the Jets need to move on just as much as their fans do. They've undoubtedly been aggressive in their pursuit of a wide receiver this offseason. Their shortcomings certainly haven't been due to a lack of trying.

The Jets were heavily interested in trading for Calvin Ridley and would have presumably been one of the frontrunners. That was before he was suspended for the entire 2022 season.

They had interest in trading for Amari Cooper, although the Cowboys refused to agree on a reworked deal to send him to New York. And then we have the Tyreek Hill situation where the Chiefs accepted the team's trade offer, but Hill simply chose Miami.

The Jets are trying to be aggressive, but for numerous factors mostly out of their control, they haven't been able to make that splash move. That doesn't mean all hope is lost, however.

48 hours ago, no one would have conceived that Tyreek Hill would be traded. A few weeks ago, the thought of Davante Adams playing football anywhere else other than Green Bay seemed preposterous.

The NFL is as unpredictable as it's ever been. Are the trade proposals on this list the most likely? No, and they're not intended to be. But does anyone really know what "likely" is anymore?

If the Jets still want to add a true No. 1 wide receiver this offseason, these four players should, at the very least, be on their radar.

4. NY Jets trade target: A.J. Brown

The wide receiver market has exploded in recent weeks with the likes of Davante Adams and now Tyreek Hill receiving mega extensions, not to mention Christian Kirk's massive deal in free agency.

That's one of the biggest reasons Hill ultimately left Kansas City. The six-time Pro Bowler was looking for significantly more money than Adams received on an annual basis. The Dolphins were willing to give that to him.

May that be a warning for any team with a young wide receiver on an expiring contract. If you aren't willing to pay big bucks for that player, he's likely going to want out.

One such young receiver who will be eyeing an extension in the near future is A.J. Brown. At just 24-years-old, Brown is one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL with two 1,000-yard campaigns and a Pro Bowl appearance already under his belt.

He's also eligible for an extension this offseason and will be heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2022. There's no doubt that Brown sees the wide receiver market and is just waiting to cash in.

The Tennessee Titans aren't in quite the cap situation that the Chiefs were, but they're not exactly sitting pretty either, especially following the Robert Woods trade.

Now, there's nothing to indicate that the Titans don't plan to pay Brown or that he wants out. But if extension talks were to sour, the Jets probably make more sense as a potential landing spot than any team.

Not only do they have the need and resources to make a deal happen, but Brown is notably best friends with former Ole Miss teammate Elijah Moore. He also has plenty of experience playing alongside Corey Davis in Tennessee.

If A.J. Brown somehow becomes available, the Jets might be his preferred destination.

3. NY Jets trade target: Terry McLaurin

A.J. Brown isn't the only former 2019 Day 2 draft pick looking for an extension this offseason. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin also joins that list.

Like Brown, McLaurin has exceeded all expectations in the NFL and is genuinely one of the best young wideouts in football. He's recorded over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons despite what most would consider less-than-stellar quarterback play.

At just 26-years-old, McLaurin is only set to make roughly $3 million in 2022. Given what we've seen from the wide receiver market this offseason, it seems likely that he's looking to secure a new contract before the start of the season.

Much like Brown, there's been no indication that the Commanders aren't willing to pay McLaurin. But it should be noted that we aren't the first to suggest that a trade could be possible — the idea has been floated around a bit.

Even after trading for Carson Wentz, the Commanders don't appear to be in a position where most expect them to compete in the near future. Perhaps they could consider trading McLaurin to recoup some assets if they're unwilling to meet his asking price.

Again, it seems unlikely on paper that Washington would trade one of their franchise cornerstones, but unlikely things are happening seemingly every day now. Anything is possible.

If the Commanders are willing to listen, the Jets shouldn't let them hang up the phone without a deal.

2. NY Jets trade target: Brandin Cooks

Of all the names on this list, this one is probably the most realistic. Brandin Cooks stands out amongst the other three players we're discussing here.

At 28-years-old (he turns 29 in September), Cooks isn't some young stud wide receiver on a rookie contract. Instead, he's an eight-year NFL veteran who's played for four different teams.

And he could be on the verge of suiting up for his fifth.

Cooks is entering the final year of his contract in 2022, and it seems rather unlikely that he plays out that year with the lowly Houston Texans. There really isn't a reason for the Texans to keep him around and not recoup assets.

The former first-round pick is due to make a little over $16 million in 2022 which isn't cheap, and there's a good chance he also would be looking to receive a new deal. That could complicate matters.

But on the field, Cooks has long been one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in the league. He's flown a bit under the radar playing in Houston the last two years, but he's still recorded 1,000 or more yards in six of his eight years in the NFL.

Cooks is a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver and someone who likely wouldn't cost nearly as much draft capital as the other players on this list.

The Jets are more interested in a younger wide receiver who can grow with Zach Wilson, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Cooks may be their best remaining target.

1. NY Jets trade target: DK Metcalf

When the Seattle Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos earlier in the offseason, rumors immediately began to emerge that Seattle could undergo somewhat of a fire sale.

Many began to speculate that players like DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett could be on the move with Wilson now out of town. But to this point, those discussions have been little more than speculation.

Much like with Brown and McLaurin, there's been no indication that the Seahawks are looking to trade Metcalf — or Lockett for that matter. That hasn't stopped teams from calling, though.

There have been reports that teams like the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs have inquired about the availability of Seattle's young star wide receiver. The Seahawks aren't hanging up either — they're reportedly "open to listening to offers."

If the Seahawks truly are open to listening, the Jets absolutely need to start placing calls.

The 24-year-old wideout has finished with 900 or more receiving yards in all three of his NFL seasons to this point, and it's worth noting that he likely hasn't reached his ceiling yet either.

Metcalf is a physical freak who would do wonders for the development of Zach Wilson and someone who could potentially thrive as a much-needed downfield threat in this Jets offense.

Joe Douglas has had success trading with the Seahawks in the past. If Seahawks general manager John Schneider doesn't have Douglas' number blocked, the Jets should be calling.