The Jets were very active when the NFL legal tampering period began on Monday.
They agreed to a total of $136 million, which includes the team re-signing linebacker Jamien Sherwood.
Day 2 of the legal tampering period was quieter for the Jets. However, after the new league year began on Wednesday, they still have many needs to address in free agency.
But just because they haven’t addressed all their needs, doesn’t mean they won’t. Many fans get excited about the first few days of free agency, but teams fill their rosters during the second and third waves.
Here are a few players the Jets could target at positions of need:
PLAN AT WR AFTER GARRETT WILSON?
Now that the Jets have a new quarterback in Justin Fields, who will be the Jets’ receivers outside of Garrett Wilson remains a question? The team permitted Allen Lazard to seek a trade before the start of the new league year. However, he remains on the roster and there’s a chance Lazard stays with the Jets.
He would carry a $13.2 million cap number for 2025. Considering the Jets would gain only $6.63 million if they released him, they may prefer to retain Lazard if they cannot trade him.
There aren’t many exciting free-agent wide receiver options on the open market. The biggest names are Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, and Amari Cooper. But all of those players are over 30 and would probably like to sign with a championship contender and the Jets aren’t expected to be that in 2025.
After he was traded from the Bills to the Texans last year, Diggs registered 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.
Unfortunately, Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 and missed the rest of the season. That, combined with his age (he will be 32 on Nov. 29), makes him a high-risk signing.
A veteran player like Tim Patrick, who has a link to both coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, makes a lot of sense. He played seven seasons in Denver (2017-23), where Mougey was a scout and later the assistant general manager. Patrick also spent the last season with the Lions, where Glenn was the defensive coordinator before coming to the Jets.
Patrick isn’t expected to cost a lot of money and would be a solid addition to the Jets’ wide receiver room. After returning from a torn ACL (2022) and Achilles (2023), Patrick finished with 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns last season.
WHO COULD JETS TARGET TO FILL TE, RT SPOTS?
In addition to the need for a wide receiver, the Jets also need to find a new tight end and right tackle. Tyler Conklin is a free agent and Morgan Moses agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the rival Patriots.
Regarding right tackle options, Jedrick Wills could be an excellent reclamation project for the Jets. The 2020 first-round pick never worked out in Cleveland after struggling at left tackle. But he was a right tackle at Alabama, and a move back to his former college position could help Wills turn his career around.
DT & S REMAIN CONCERNS
The Jets’ defense has finished in the top five in yards allowed each of the last three seasons. But they could use help at defensive tackle and safety.
Andre Cisco agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jets on Monday, but the Jets could still add another safety. Justin Simmons, Isaiah Oliver and Damar Hamlin are free agent safety options the Jets could consider.
The Jets need another defensive tackle alongside Quinnen Williams, who is often double-teamed. They could opt to wait until the draft to address the defensive tackle need, but Raekwon Davis, who was released by the Colts last week, would be a good option, especially since the Jets need a run-stuffer in the middle of their defense.
JETS, EDGE WEAVER AGREE TO TERMS
The Jets added a new pass rusher on Wednesday.
They agreed to terms with Rashad Weaver, a source confirmed to the Daily News. Most notably, Weaver, 27 began his career with the Titans after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He stayed in Tennessee for three seasons before Weaver was released last August following training camp.
Weaver split time with both the Texans and Rams in 2024, mostly on their practice squad. However, he did play in three games for Houston.
In four seasons, Weaver had 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, all of which came during the 2022 season. The Jets have starters in Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson. But Johnson is returning from a season-ending Achilles tear and they needed to add more depth at the position.