Here are the top free agents the New York Jets should avoid. Plus what running back prospects they should be keeping an eye on.
If the New York Jets want to go back to the playoffs and do so without a paid ticket, they need to fix several issues.
That, of course, includes their running back situation. Matt Forte is a dead man walking and thus, his $3 million dollars will come off the books. Which really is just throwing water in the ocean when you look at how much money the Jets have.
So that leaves Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire in the backfield. The Jets could use a bell cow. Saquon Barkley certainly stands out as that kind of prospect. But he isn’t the only one, there’s plenty of talented runners who could pique the Jets interest.
My personal favorite is Sony Michel. If I had it my way I would kidnap Michel and hide him in a bunker until the 2018 NFL Draft and then I’d release him so the Jets could draft him.
His stock is on the rise and people that I trust are saying top of the second round, but with all the pub he is likely to get at his Pro Day, he could be a real candidate at the back or middle of the first round by the time everything is said and done. Freakish speed and athleticism and wheels for days, the Jets could use that kind of explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks broke down some of the top guys in the class via the Jets Twitter account:
You've heard of the guy at the top.
Who else rounds out @BuckyBrooks Top 5 RBs in the #NFLDraft?
? https://t.co/0sQxiTCLF4 pic.twitter.com/NgfM31Ywqj
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 14, 2018
Good friend of the program Connor Rogers of FanRag Sports gave his top five free agents to avoid if you’re the Jets:
- Trumaine Johnson, CB, LA Rams
- He’s lanky and I love his size, but I’ll have to side with Connor here, due to age and the proverbial wall of 30, the Jets should probably avoid.
- Ezekiel Ansah, Edge, Detroit Lions
- I tend to disagree slightly with my man Connor here. Every board meeting I give the speech of speeches why the Jets need to improve their pass rush. Ansah is the real deal and is entering his prime. PAY THE MAN!
- Le’Veon Bell, Running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
- We’ve gone around the rosey with Bell. He’s too damn expensive. I love the talent but $100 million dollars is meant for a quarterback, not a running back, sorry.
- Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
- I’m probably the biggest Sam Bradford fan on the planet. I know he can’t stay healthy but if Jets lose out on Cousins, they’ll need a backup option (no pun intended). Bradford at the right price could be a nice find.
- Terrelle Pryor, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
- Believe it or not he’s approaching 30 rapidly (29 by the start of the season), so it wouldn’t be a massive deal, but definitely one the Jets should consider. Just because the Jets have boatloads of cash, doesn’t mean they have to overpay free agents, they can still be judicious with their cash flow.
Oh, by the way, the New York Jets finalized their coaching staff for 2018.
ICYMI: Jeremy Bates is promoted while two others are added to the coaching staff.
? https://t.co/Syy8i1EkwO pic.twitter.com/VgHPSQxx4u
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 15, 2018
Other Jets News, Stories:
- New Jets OC has Kirk Cousins connection (Rich Cimini of ESPN New York)
- 5 players Jets must avoid in free agency (Connor Rogers of FanRag Sports)
- Passing on Cousins could fetch something greater (Robby Sabo of ESNY)
