The NY Jets are happy this offseason after signing Eric Decker as a free agent, but after losing out on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the team has moves to make and Sidney Rice, Jacoby Ford and Carlos Rogers are free agency targets, while a Mark Sanchez trade to the Oakland Raiders or a release of the quarterback could be coming for Rex Ryan in 2014.
The Jets ranked 31st in the league in passing yards per game last season and while part of that was due to Geno Smith being a rookie, it was also due to the fact that the team did not have much at the skill positions, especially at wide receiver. Reality show or not, Eric Decker was a solid signing for the Jets and now they could look to add more receivers to the mix, as ESPN.com is reporting that the team has interest in Sidney Rice and Jacoby Ford, while Kenny Britt could also be an option for the team if those players sign elsewhere.
Last season the Jets leaders in receiving were Jeremy Kerley with 43 catches for 523 yards and Santonio Holmes with 23 catches for 456 yards and that simply will not get things done in the NFL. The team added Eric Decker and while his numbers may have been inflated by Peyton Manning, he still has been very impressive over the last couple years and last season he had 87 receptions and 1,288 yards, which gave him two straight seasons with over 1,000 yards. The team signed Decker to a five year deal with nearly $37 million and they still have money to spend on other players and that could lead them to Ford or Rice, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks.
Rice is coming off of a season that saw him miss half the year with an ACL injury and this came after he played in all 16 games in 2012 and that year he had 50 catches for 748 yards and seven touchdowns. His last year of that caliber was back in Minnesota when he had 1,312 receiving yards and eight scores in 2009 and now he is on the free agent market after the Seahawks let him go. Ford is a speedy receiver and he could be a nice fit and while he hasn't had much production in his career wuith the Raiders, they used him on special teams a bunch and with over $20 million in cap space, the Jets could continue making moves. Ford has 57 career receptions for 848 yards and three touchdowns and he could be a nice slot option alongside Decker.
The team also has a major need at cornerback and the Jets were in on Cromartie, but he ended up signing with the Giants and now they could go after someone like Carlos Rodgers or even Champ Bailey. Rodgers-Cromartie played well last season and he could have been a nice addition, while Rodgers is over 30 and could be a good nickel or slot guy alongside Dee Milliner. The team is also looking at what to do with Mark Sanchez, as everyone expects the team to trade him or release him and according to ESPN.com, the Raiders have been interested in him. A change of scenery could be huge for the quarterback and he is looking to revive his career.