Quality players could become available for the New York Jets
As a result of the decreased amount of cap space NFL teams had available for the 2021 season, many win-now teams opted to restructure the contracts of their higher-paid players.
The decision to restructure only helps upfront. It essentially backloads deals as the signing bonus restructures lead to greater prorated bonus amounts throughout the duration of the contract.
One year later, many teams have terrible cap situations and will have to move on from some of their core players.
Per Over The Cap, the three teams with the worst cap situations are all over the cap by a significant amount. Those teams are the New Orleans Saints (projected $-73.6 million), the Green Bay Packers (projected $-40.1 million), and the Dallas Cowboys (projected $-20.8 million).
All three of these teams accomplished winning seasons but combined for zero playoff wins. Now, they will be forced to move on from some good football players.
Trading or releasing a player with a post-June 1 designation may be the route some of these teams look to take. The designation is used for players with either hefty guarantees left on their deal or prorated bonus amounts. It essentially frees up more cap space for the team this year.
Ultimately, these difficult cap situations could make plenty of quality players available for the New York Jets.
Here are some notable players from each of the aforementioned three teams who are either set to become unrestricted free agents or could be available through a release or trade.
New Orleans Saints
Projected Unrestricted Free Agents:
- Marcus Williams, S
Restricted Free Agents:
- Shy Tuttle, DT
Potential Releases:
- Bradley Roby, CB
Potential Trades:
- Marcus Davenport, DE
Potential Releases or Trades with a post-June 1 Designation:
- Michael Thomas, WR
- David Onyemata, DT
Out of these 2021 Saints players, the top three options for the Jets would be Marcus Williams, Marcus Davenport, and Bradley Roby.
With the Jets having a clear need at safety, Williams has often been linked to the team as a possible target. Davenport is a talented edge rusher likely entering his prime years. If the Jets look to acquire a good veteran cornerback on a one-year deal, Roby would be ideal.
Trading for Michael Thomas, who will play next season at 29 years old, does not seem like the type of move Jets general manager Joe Douglas would make considering he is coming off a major ankle injury and owns a sizable contract ($24.7 million cap hit in 2022).
Green Bay Packers
Projected Unrestricted Free Agents:
- Davante Adams, WR
- De’Vondre Campbell, LB
- Rasul Douglas, CB
- Robert Tonyan, TE
Restricted Free Agents:
- Allen Lazard, WR
Potential Releases:
- Za’Darius Smith, EDGE
- Preston Smith, EDGE
Potential Releases or Trades with a post-June 1 Designation:
- Billy Turner, OT
For the Jets, Davante Adams, Za’Darius Smith, and Preston Smith are the highlights of this group.
Adding pass rushers is a must for New York. Preston and Za’Darius have each proven to be quality players. The Jets missed out on Za’Darius in free agency of 2019, which was a tough loss.
Adams is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and would be tremendous for Zach Wilson. He may end up being franchise-tagged and then available through trade.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected Unrestricted Free Agents:
- Dalton Schultz, TE
- Randy Gregory, DE
- Jayron Kearse, S
- Connor Williams, G
Potential Releases:
- Anthony Brown, CB
Potential Trades:
- Amari Cooper, WR
Potential Releases or Trades with a post-June 1 Designation:
- DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
- Blake Jarwin, TE
For the Jets, the top options from Dallas could potentially be Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz, Jayron Kearse, and Connor Williams.
Cooper and Schultz would be great additions to aid Wilson in year two. Kearse would help fill the Jets’ huge need at safety. He just completed a productive season in coverage (two interceptions and 10 pass deflections).
As broken down by Jets X-Factor’s David Wyatt-Hupton, Williams is an excellent option for the Jets to upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
Other cap-strapped teams
The rest of the teams currently projected to be over the cap are the Minnesota Vikings ($-12.8 million), New York Giants ($-7 million), Tennessee Titans ($-6 million), Los Angeles Rams ($-5.6 million), and Atlanta Falcons ($-5.6 million).
These are a few noteworthy cut or trade candidates to keep an eye on from those teams:
- Danielle Hunter, DE (Minnesota)
- James Bradberry, CB (New York)
- Blake Martinez, LB (New York)
- Robert Woods, WR (Los Angeles)
- Calvin Ridley, WR (Atlanta)
- Younghoe Koo, K (Atlanta)
Hunter, Woods, and Ridley would likely be added through trade as they are all difficult to release with their contracts. Bradberry and Martinez have a stronger chance of being released with a new regime coming in for the Giants. Koo is a restricted free agent.
Outlook for the Jets
It’s simple: Some good football players (many from winning teams) will become available.
Acquiring a star wide receiver (Adams, Cooper, Ridley, Woods) or a tight end (Schultz) for Wilson would be crucial. Defensively, acquiring any talent is needed.
In the end, the difficult cap situations faced by teams around the NFL should give the Jets even more options to build their team.
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