By Mike Fallas Edited by Peter Cordi
Yet another disappointing season has passed for the New York Jets, resulting in the firings of most of the front office and coaching staff. Jets fans all over the world are already looking forward to the offseason moves new general manager Mike Maccagnan has in store for them. They have $48,580,645 to spend on the top free agents.
With free agency beginning March 10th, the Jets will have to do a lot of thinking on whom they will pursue. The Jets, along with the Raiders, Jaguars, and Browns are projected to have the most cap space in the NFL, so they are among the top contenders for the most expensive free agents. There are 5 key free agents that can help the Jets win their first Super Bowl since before the Apollo 13 moon landing.
Key 1: CB Antonio Cromartie or CB Byron Maxwell
Antonio Cromartie is an amazing fit for the Jets. Cromartie has had experience in New York with the Jets in the past, playing for them from 2010-2013. He proved himself extremely productive raking up thirteen interceptions in his time with the Jets. He also scored one touchdown, two forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, and 62 pass deflections.
He has provided the Jets with great press-man coverage skills in Rex Ryan’s defense before. The Jets even let him play wide receiver for a few plays. Cromartie claimed to be the Jets’ second best receiver, to Santonio Holmes. Antonio Cromartie is a great fit particularly because of his experience with the Jets’ new head coach Todd Bowles. He spent the 2014 season with the Arizona Cardinals while Bowles was the defensive coordinator. If there is anyone in the NFL that can come to the Jets and have already mastered Bowles’ system, it would be Antonio Cromartie. Plus, Bowles’ system is extremely similar to that of previous head coach Rex Ryan.
Cromartie worked his way to three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and twelve pass deflections with the Cardinals. He even earned himself a spot in the pro bowl for his stellar season under Todd Bowles- it was his second pro bowl selection in a row. With Bowles as the Jets’ head coach, the possibility of Antonio Cromartie signing with the Jets is extremely high. He has displayed immense interest in rejoining the Jets in 2015. If the Jets do sign him, there is great shot he will repeat his success from last year with the Cardinals and the year before with the Jets.
Another great option, Byron Maxwell, could be a free agent prospect for the Jets as well. Coming off a tough loss in the Super bowl at the hand of the New England Patriots, and his defensive coordinator Dan Quinn leaving for the Falcons, Maxwell is likely signing with another team this offseason. Even though Maxwell might follow Quinn to Falcons, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a good fit for the Jets given a lucrative offer. Maxwell is just 26 years old and a rising star.
In his four years as part of the Legion of Boom, he recorded three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six interceptions, and 30 pass deflections. Another perk is he has great size with his 6’1” 207 lbs body structure. With Todd Bowles’ great experience as a defensive back coach, he could turn Byron Maxwell into an elite cornerback for the Jets.
Key 2: WR Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb is coming off yet another spectacular season with the Green Bay Packers. Cobb has catapulted his way to becoming one of the top receivers in the NFL with is 91 reception, 1,287 yard, 12 touchdown season. At the super-young age of 24, he is definitely a rising star who will get even better in due time. This type of wide receiver could electrify the Jets’ offense immediately.
It is a great possibility that Cobb parts ways with the Packers because it will be difficult for them to sign him to a big deal after the 4-year $39 million deal they gave Jordy Nelson in 2013. Money is definitely not a problem for the New York Jets yet, so they can afford any player available. Also, Cobb’s play style is a great fit for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and his spread offense.
Key 3: OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul is a defensive powerhouse that can help the Jets with their OLB problems. He is 26 years old and an elite pass rusher in the NFL. So far he has recorded 42 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and a pair of defensive touchdowns in his 5-year tenure with the New York Giants.
He is a great fit to fill the hole the Jets have at the outside linebacker position. Plus, he wouldn’t have to face as many double-teams from opposing offense lines because they would also have to worry about the Jets’ defensive stars, Mohamed Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, and Sheldon Richardson. Pierre-Paul could do amazing for the Jets, and help them to recreate the “New York Sack Exchange”
Key 4- RB CJ Spiller
After Chris Johnson’s departure from the Jets, they will have to find a new running back to compliment Chris Ivory. There is no greater fit for the Jets than CJ Spiller to be the new guy to step up and give the Jets one of the best backfields in the league.
Spiller has shown plenty of talent in the past for the Buffalo Bills, especially during the 2012 season in which he recorded 1,244 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Spiller has also shown great receiving ability, as he has managed 1,195 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns through the air in his career thus far. He has amazing speed that could electrify any offense.
That was also the season Jets' offensive coordinatoe Chan Gailey was head coach of the Bills. With the possibility of Gailey and Spiller coming together again there is definitely a probability they can repeat their success from the 2012 season.
Key 5: OG Mike Iupati
If the Jets are going to ground and pound the ball this season or simply give the quarterback extra time in the pocket, they will need to pick up a great guard in free agency. With Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi’s lack of experience, and Willie Colon’s depreciating body, the Jets absolutely need to find a quick solution at the offensive guard position. There is no better option to fill this gap than Mike Iupati. Lupati has been one of the most dominant guards in the NFL over the last 5 years while he was with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now that his contract is up and he is a free agent, he will go to the team that needs him most. And no team needs him more than the Jets. With the amount of cap space the Jets have, they shouldn’t have a problem bringing Lupati to the east coast. He would be a great fit for the Jets, as their run-heavy system requires a strong offensive line.
If the Jets sign these key players in free agency, there should be no reason for them to not return to their past success.
Yet another disappointing season has passed for the New York Jets, resulting in the firings of most of the front office and coaching staff. Jets fans all over the world are already looking forward to the offseason moves new general manager Mike Maccagnan has in store for them. They have $48,580,645 to spend on the top free agents.
With free agency beginning March 10th, the Jets will have to do a lot of thinking on whom they will pursue. The Jets, along with the Raiders, Jaguars, and Browns are projected to have the most cap space in the NFL, so they are among the top contenders for the most expensive free agents. There are 5 key free agents that can help the Jets win their first Super Bowl since before the Apollo 13 moon landing.
Key 1: CB Antonio Cromartie or CB Byron Maxwell
Antonio Cromartie is an amazing fit for the Jets. Cromartie has had experience in New York with the Jets in the past, playing for them from 2010-2013. He proved himself extremely productive raking up thirteen interceptions in his time with the Jets. He also scored one touchdown, two forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, and 62 pass deflections.
He has provided the Jets with great press-man coverage skills in Rex Ryan’s defense before. The Jets even let him play wide receiver for a few plays. Cromartie claimed to be the Jets’ second best receiver, to Santonio Holmes. Antonio Cromartie is a great fit particularly because of his experience with the Jets’ new head coach Todd Bowles. He spent the 2014 season with the Arizona Cardinals while Bowles was the defensive coordinator. If there is anyone in the NFL that can come to the Jets and have already mastered Bowles’ system, it would be Antonio Cromartie. Plus, Bowles’ system is extremely similar to that of previous head coach Rex Ryan.
Cromartie worked his way to three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and twelve pass deflections with the Cardinals. He even earned himself a spot in the pro bowl for his stellar season under Todd Bowles- it was his second pro bowl selection in a row. With Bowles as the Jets’ head coach, the possibility of Antonio Cromartie signing with the Jets is extremely high. He has displayed immense interest in rejoining the Jets in 2015. If the Jets do sign him, there is great shot he will repeat his success from last year with the Cardinals and the year before with the Jets.
Another great option, Byron Maxwell, could be a free agent prospect for the Jets as well. Coming off a tough loss in the Super bowl at the hand of the New England Patriots, and his defensive coordinator Dan Quinn leaving for the Falcons, Maxwell is likely signing with another team this offseason. Even though Maxwell might follow Quinn to Falcons, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a good fit for the Jets given a lucrative offer. Maxwell is just 26 years old and a rising star.
In his four years as part of the Legion of Boom, he recorded three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six interceptions, and 30 pass deflections. Another perk is he has great size with his 6’1” 207 lbs body structure. With Todd Bowles’ great experience as a defensive back coach, he could turn Byron Maxwell into an elite cornerback for the Jets.
Key 2: WR Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb is coming off yet another spectacular season with the Green Bay Packers. Cobb has catapulted his way to becoming one of the top receivers in the NFL with is 91 reception, 1,287 yard, 12 touchdown season. At the super-young age of 24, he is definitely a rising star who will get even better in due time. This type of wide receiver could electrify the Jets’ offense immediately.
It is a great possibility that Cobb parts ways with the Packers because it will be difficult for them to sign him to a big deal after the 4-year $39 million deal they gave Jordy Nelson in 2013. Money is definitely not a problem for the New York Jets yet, so they can afford any player available. Also, Cobb’s play style is a great fit for offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and his spread offense.
Key 3: OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul is a defensive powerhouse that can help the Jets with their OLB problems. He is 26 years old and an elite pass rusher in the NFL. So far he has recorded 42 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and a pair of defensive touchdowns in his 5-year tenure with the New York Giants.
He is a great fit to fill the hole the Jets have at the outside linebacker position. Plus, he wouldn’t have to face as many double-teams from opposing offense lines because they would also have to worry about the Jets’ defensive stars, Mohamed Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, and Sheldon Richardson. Pierre-Paul could do amazing for the Jets, and help them to recreate the “New York Sack Exchange”
Key 4- RB CJ Spiller
After Chris Johnson’s departure from the Jets, they will have to find a new running back to compliment Chris Ivory. There is no greater fit for the Jets than CJ Spiller to be the new guy to step up and give the Jets one of the best backfields in the league.
Spiller has shown plenty of talent in the past for the Buffalo Bills, especially during the 2012 season in which he recorded 1,244 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Spiller has also shown great receiving ability, as he has managed 1,195 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns through the air in his career thus far. He has amazing speed that could electrify any offense.
That was also the season Jets' offensive coordinatoe Chan Gailey was head coach of the Bills. With the possibility of Gailey and Spiller coming together again there is definitely a probability they can repeat their success from the 2012 season.
Key 5: OG Mike Iupati
If the Jets are going to ground and pound the ball this season or simply give the quarterback extra time in the pocket, they will need to pick up a great guard in free agency. With Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi’s lack of experience, and Willie Colon’s depreciating body, the Jets absolutely need to find a quick solution at the offensive guard position. There is no better option to fill this gap than Mike Iupati. Lupati has been one of the most dominant guards in the NFL over the last 5 years while he was with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now that his contract is up and he is a free agent, he will go to the team that needs him most. And no team needs him more than the Jets. With the amount of cap space the Jets have, they shouldn’t have a problem bringing Lupati to the east coast. He would be a great fit for the Jets, as their run-heavy system requires a strong offensive line.
If the Jets sign these key players in free agency, there should be no reason for them to not return to their past success.