The New York Jets have been actively improving their roster over the last two days. Since the morning of March 9, they have added seven new players, the latest being quarterback Geno Smith.
One position of need that New York has yet to improve? Wide receiver.
The Jets are running out of options on the free agent market. Many of the best available wideouts have already signed elsewhere. One of the top remaining options entering Tuesday, former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs, is the latest to go off the board, agreeing to a four-year, $70 million deal with the Patriots.
That could prompt the Jets to explore the trade market, which reports have suggested they are doing. In particular, the Jets were linked to Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., along with the New York Giants.
On Tuesday afternoon, however, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shot down the rumors surrounding Jacksonville’s 23-year-old playmaker.
“I have been told that the Jaguars are not interested in trading [Thomas.] They have denied it repeatedly,” reported Schefter. “Every indication that I have gotten back is the Jaguars have no interest in moving on from Brian Thomas despite all the speculation that’s out there.”
If Thomas is unavailable, the Jets may have to begin scouring the free agency bargain bin at the wide receiver position. Save for Jauan Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers, most of the big-ticket free-agent wide receivers are off the board.
Per Spotrac, Jennings has the highest projected market value among available wide receivers at $22.6 million per year. After Jennings, the next two highest-valued receivers are a pair of declining stars in Deebo Samuel ($15.8 million) and Tyreek Hill ($15.1 million). Below those two, there is a huge drop-off, with Darnell Mooney leading the way at just $7.6 million.
Along with Samuel and Hill, there are some other aging household names available, such as Keenan Allen, Christian Kirk, Tyler Lockett, Brandin Cooks, and DeAndre Hopkins. Or, if the Jets merely want a cheap stopgap to strengthen the back end of the depth chart, they could target someone like Curtis Samuel, Calvin Austin, Jalen Tolbert, or Tim Patrick.
There is also the looming free agency of Stefon Diggs, who is expected to be released by the New England Patriots after posting a 1,013-yard season at 32 years old.
Most likely, though, the Jets’ pursuit of a potential long-term WR2 beside Garrett Wilson will have to wait until the NFL draft. With two first-round selections in the top 16 (Nos. 2 and 16), the Jets are well equipped to strike on a name like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon, Washington’s Denzel Boston, or Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
For now, it appears that the Jets may settle on using free agency to fill out the depth chart with complementary pieces, barring a surprising pursuit on the trade market.
If the Jets truly were interested in Thomas, though, perhaps they will set their sights on trading for another talented wide receiver whose name is currently flying under the radar.
Ultimately, it’s all speculation. What we do know is that the Jets are still in dire need of wide receiver help, and they are doing their due diligence to remedy the issue.
