New York Jets Mike Maccagnan
Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images

Some potential free agent targets for the New York Jets, plus the legal tampering period officially begins. 

The next phase of the offseason begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday and that’s the legal tampering period. The New York Jets have been very open that they will be ‘very active’ on the first day of free agency.

While that doesn’t technically begin until March 14, two days prior, teams are allowed to legally reach out to players and their agents to simply chat. While no deals can be agreed to (wink, wink), you can line everything up in theory.

“It will be interesting to see which players we can potentially line up first for initial visits,” Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said via the New York Post. “Obviously we’ll be very active on the first day in terms of the higher profile guys. I think the one thing I’ve noticed in the NFL this year or in the past years, I should say, is free agency moves very quickly. If you have guys targeted and you have your range how you value them, we’ll be very active.”

The next question on the minds of Jets fans everywhere is who will ultimately make those initial visits?

The New York Post gave a sneak peek on the back pages which includes:

  • Kirk Cousins, quarterback, Washington Redskins
  • Allen Robinson, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Malcolm Butler, cornerback, New England Patriots
  • Dion Lewis, running back, New England Patriots

This wouldn’t be the first time the Jets sniff around 1 Patriots Drive (see Dont’a Hightower last year). Hopefully Gang Green has some new tricks up their sleeves that don’t include cupcakes.

While it’ll likely include boatloads of cash, which the Jets now proudly hold the crown for most cap space. Historically when the Jets have gone on a spending spree, it’s changed the franchise in terms of immediacy. With the Jets in the midst of the third longest postseason drought in the NFL, it’s time to be aggressive and put their money where their mouth is.

People call me Boy Green for my unwavering dedication to all things New York Jets. I work at The Score 1260 in Syracuse and I'm extremely passionate about sports. I aspire to continue my rise through the business and hopefully I'll end up working for the New York Jets in some capacity.