Sauce Gardner eyeing two star wide receivers for the NY Jets in free agency

The NY Jets are expected to be in the market for a high-profile wide receiver this offseason, and the team's star cornerback, Sauce Gardner, already has a couple of names in mind.

Gardner responded to a social media post asking Jets fans which free agents they wanted the team to sign this offseason, and the two-time All-Pro cornerback made it clear who he wants.

Gardner identified soon-to-be free agents Calvin Ridley and Tee Higgins as players he's hoping the Jets target this offseason. Both players are expected to be among the top players at any position available — if they actually hit the open market.

The Jets have been connected to a number of big-name wide receivers over the last few months. From Davante Adams to Mike Evans, the Jets will be eyeing every potential wide receiver target this offseason. Gardner seems to have his preferences, however.

Sauce Gardner wants Calvin Ridley and Tee Higgins on the NY Jets

Ridley returned to the field after a one-year suspension in 2023, finishing with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. He solidified himself as Jacksonville's No. 1 wide receiver and picked up where he left off prior to his suspension.

The Jaguars haven't shut the door on Ridley returning on a long-term extension (they would owe the Atlanta Falcons a second-round pick instead of a third if that happens), but it seems more likely than not that he tests free agency at this point.

As for Higgins, the 25-year-old battled injuries last season, finishing with a career-worst 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in only 12 games. Still, he's expected to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in football this offseason.

Higgins is one of the most obvious franchise tag candidates this offseason, although it's hard to see the Cincinnati Bengals inking him to a long-term deal. The safe bet is on either a tag or a trip to the open market.

The Jets will be looking for ways to improve a wide receiver room that, outside of Garrett Wilson, was probably the worst in the NFL last season. The Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman signings were complete busts, forcing the team to rely on Randall Cobb and a host of undrafted free agents alongside Wilson.

Pairing Wilson with either Ridley or Higgins would immediately give the Jets one of the best wide-receiver duos in the NFL. It would also do wonders for an offense that finished 31st in total yards last season.

Gardner previously did his best to recruit Aaron Rodgers to join the Jets last offseason. Jets fans are certainly hoping that his recruiting efforts pay off once again this year.