The New York Jets had one of the worst wide receiving corps in the NFL last year. Their quarterback situation certainly did not help the effort, but the team lacked any kind of star power running the sidelines. Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson were brief highlights. Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards were non-existent. With changes coming, the first thing New York is focusing on is getting one of the top free agent playmakers available.
According to the New York Daily News, the Jets will have around $50 million in salary cap space to work with. That number assumes the team releases Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and quarterback Mark Sanchez. At least two of those three players will be gone, while the jury is still out on Sanchez's future. $50 million is favorable for the Jets and could land them a prime wide receiver, something general manager John Idzik desperately wants.
The Daily News reports that the Jets originally wanted either Jeremy Maclin or Riley Cooper, but both wide receivers opted to re-sign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the Jets are targeting either Julian Edelman or Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, along with Hakeem Nicks.
Sanders is looking less likely to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team barely held on to him last year and now that he is officially finished with his rookie contract, the wide receiver is ready to move on. The Jets might be interested, but the New England Patriots could have the upper hand. The team made an offer on Sanders last year, but it was matched by the Steelers. Expect the Patriots to make a run at him again. New York might be able to make a bigger money offer, but the Patriots have Tom Brady.
Edelman could be a solid option. The Patriots opted not to use their franchise tag on the wide receiver and also do not want to pay him a top-dollar deal. Edelman is looking to capitalize off his breakout season with New England and if the Jets get desperate, they could be the team to give him the big money.
Nicks will be expensive when he hits the market. The Jets have to be willing to give him a max contract in order to pull him away from any other interested team. While injuries and a terrible 2013 season certainly hurt his value, there will be a team willing to give Nicks whatever contract he wants. Idzik will likely try and give him a bargain contract considering he failed to put up a touchdown last year. This decision will be up to Nicks.
The Jets want a big name when it comes to a wide receiver. They are in desperate need to upgrade their offense and with a second-year quarterback as a starter, having someone with a strong history of production will help.