The New York Jets will have competition on the FS market in free agency
Addressing the defense will be crucial for the New York Jets once the NFL’s legal tampering period opens on March 14.
There is a multitude of clear needs that New York must address on defense, but arguably none bigger than the safety position. The Jets will need to add both a starting free and strong safety.
At free safety, in particular, there may only be one star player who hits the open market.
The Cincinnati Bengals may end up placing the franchise tag on star safety Jessie Bates, leaving the projected safety market with New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams as its lone star.
New Orleans is the worst-positioned team in the league when it comes to the cap (projected $76 million over the cap) and now looks to be entering a rebuilding phase under new head coach Dennis Allen. It seems likely Williams will be on the market and in a new uniform.
Williams is a rangy free safety with great ball skills. His ball production would address a major need for the Jets defense.
Throughout his five-year career, Williams has 15 interceptions (an average of three per season) with a high of four in 2017 and 2019. He also has 38 career pass deflections (7.6 per year) with a career-best of 13 in 2019.
Williams’ tremendous production and youth (he will turn 26 in September) will make him a top candidate for many teams with a need at free safety.
Let’s access the teams that could give the Jets the most competition for Williams’ services.
Teams with cap space
Luckily for the Jets, none of the four teams with more projected salary cap space than them (Miami, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, L.A. Chargers) have a major need at free safety.
The Dolphins have a great young free safety in Jevon Holland, a 2021 second-round pick.
Jacksonville has a young free safety coming off a good season in Andrew Wingard, who is a restricted free agent and should be retained. The Jaguars also have another young safety with potential in 2021 third-round pick Andre Cisco.
As noted above, it is fair to expect the Bengals to franchise-tag Bates if no long-term contract is agreed upon.
The Chargers have a star safety in Derwin James and an underrated young free safety in Nasir Adderley.
This leaves the Jets with the most projected cap space available out of the teams who are likely to be in the free safety market.
Play: 👉 the Jet X Offseason SimulatorÂ
Teams with a need at FS
The team with the most cap space after the Jets that has a need at free safety happens to be the Seattle Seahawks ($37 million, 8th-most). Seattle had a top free safety in Quandre Diggs but he is set to become a free agent.
Having already given a hefty contract to Jamal Adams last August, it seems unlikely they would invest top-dollar to another safety.
After the Seahawks, the Washington Commanders ($32 million, 9th-most) have the most cap space with a need at free safety. Their previous starter, Bobby McCain, is set to be a free agent.
Like Seattle, the Commanders already have an expensive safety under contract in Landon Collins. With that mega-contract not working out, Washington could look for a cheaper safety option than Williams.
The Detroit Lions ($23 million, 13th-most) will see starting free safety Tracy Walker become an unrestricted free agent. They could be a strong suitor for Williams. Walker could be a viable backup plan for the Jets.
The Philadelphia Eagles ($22 million, 14th-most) seem like a team with a good chance of making a push for Williams. They have a need at both safety positions. Starting safeties Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris are both already 30 years old and set to become free agents.
However, Philadelphia does not have much flexibility with the cap. The Eagles are basically set with the amount that they have as a result of many restructures to their top salaries (Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, Darius Slay, Javon Hargrave, Jason Kelce, Dallas Goedert, and Josh Sweat).
The Houston Texans ($18 million, 16th-most) could be looking for two new safeties. Free safety Justin Reid is going to be a free agent and had a poor season. Strong safety Eric Murray also had a poor season and may be released. However, it’s worth noting that general manager Nick Caserio signed mostly veteran players his first year in the role last offseason, primarily to either one or two-year deals.
The final competitor is a team with an outside chance: the Baltimore Ravens. With DeShon Elliott set to be a free agent, they will have a free safety need. At the same time, they are already tight against the budget and have major salary commitments to multiple defensive backs in Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Tavon Young.
Likely top competitors
The Jets’ top two competitors for Williams would likely be the Eagles and Lions. Other potential competitors include the Texans, Commanders, and Ravens.
As it stands now, the Jets have are projected to have at least roughly $25 million more in cap space than both the Eagles and Lions. It is fair to say if the Jets show interest in Williams that they will have a good chance of landing the star free safety.
What is also beneficial for the Jets is that there is quality depth set to be available on the free safety market. It could potentially limit Williams’ contract value or at least provide them with backup options if they miss out on him.
Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, DeShon Elliott, and Bobby McCain were all mentioned above. Jayron Kearse and Xavier Woods are two other quality free safeties currently set to be available.
Ultimately, the Jets are in a good position to greatly improve their starting free safety spot. They should be able to position themselves as the top contender for Williams if they wish to do so, but even if they do not land the former Saint, there are plenty of avenues for them to get better at this position.
I’ll pass ,I’d rather have Jordan Whitehead at half the cost. Build smart.
I like Williams, Diggs and Kearse, they would all be good signings. I also think bringing Joyner back on another one year deal is possible. I had such high hopes for Ashtyn Davis but he looked like it was his first year ever on the football field last season. Any chance they keep Pinnock at safety or let Hamsah move back to a more traditional safety role? I remember Ulbrich saying he liked Pinnock at safety last season, maybe they know something?
I agree on keeping Pinnock at safety. Hopefully, with an entire offseason he can grow. The same could be said for Nasirildeen and Jamien Sherwood with more time at linebacker.
Never thought we would have a shot, would be the crown jewel of this FA class for the Jets.
Yes indeed!