The NY Jets are coming into the offseason with a high amount of cap space and they intend to spend, as names like Darrelle Revis, Michael Crabtree, Antonio Cromartie, Jerry Hughes, Brian Hoyer, Jeremy Maclin and Julius Thomas are potential free agent options and this comes as the team may also consider a trade in the draft to get quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The Jets are projected to have over $50 million in cap space this offseason and with a new regime coming in, Woody Johnson may look at spending big after the disaster of last season. According to the New York Daily News, the team is considering making a run at Darrelle Revis if he hits the market, while players like Ndamukong Suh, Jeremy Maclin, Julius Thomas and Michael Crabtree are also potential names to watch for. The cap is rising for this year and even though new general manager Mike Maccagnan puts a lot of stock in the NFL draft, he is expected to target free agency as a way to pull the Jets out of their holes from the past two years.
Rich Cimini at ESPN.com writes that the Jets adjusted cap will be about $155 million and that comes with the official cap being at $143 million. The Jets carry over some money and they have a ton of free space, with just $97 million committed for next year. The Jets have the chance to sign a number of players and they could look at Antonio Cromartie, Jerry Hughes, Brian Hoyer, Jeremy Maclin and Julius Thomas as targets along with Mike Iupati and Ryan Mallett. The QB situation for the Jets is interesting and they could look at free agency and the draft as possibilities.
According to Pro Football Talk, Brian Hoyer could be a main target for the Jets after Josh McCown signed his deal with the Cleveland Browns. Hoyer comes in after starting for the Browns last season, but he is no longer an option to return and now he could be a target for the Bills and Titans as well as the Jets. The Jets need a veteran to come in even if they draft someone like Marcus Mariota, as Geno Smith has been too up and down to take the starting job right away.
Hoyer threw for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season with 3334 yards, but he faltered down the stretch and lost his starting job after opening 7-4 on the year. The Jets also may look at Jake Locker, Christian Ponder and Ryan Mallett on the free agent market. The team has the chance to trade up for Marcus Mariota, or they could wait and see if he falls to them at number six overall. The Jets need playmakers and that could up Crabtree or Thomas on their radar.
Speaking of playmakers, the team has a major decision to make when it comes to Percy Harvin, as he has compensation attached to his status. CBS Sports reports that Harvin likely will not take a pay cut from his $10 million salary and that could lead to his release from the Jets. The team has some time to decide, as they have until March 19 for his compensation to kick in, as he has a draft pick tied to his roster status. After the trade from last season, the Seahawks will get a fourth round pick if Harvin is on the roster, but only a sixth round pick if the Jets cut him loose.