INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch over Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals for a touchdown in the first quarter during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
With a ton of salary cap room and plenty of needs, the New York Jets figure to be very active in NFL free agency.
The 2022 NFL season could be an important one for the New York Jets, who have the league’s longest playoff drought at 11 years. Plenty of mismanagement and bad drafting has left the Jets with a lengthy rebuilding project, but New York took a step forward by going 4-13 in 2021.
The good news for the Jets is that they have roughly $48 million in salary cap room to start the offseason and can create more with strategic cuts and contract restructuring. Let’s take a look at five potential free-agent targets for New York in the offseason, beginning with Odell Beckham Jr.
5. Top free agent targets for the New York Jets – WR Odell Beckham Jr.
One of the biggest areas that the Jets need to improve on is adding weapons for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Elijah Moore and Corey Davis are a good start, but New York needs to add a true No. 1 receiver to give Wilson a go-to guy.
That guy could be Beckham, who revived his career with Los Angeles before tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl. Beckham also has experience on the New York stage after beginning his career with the Giants and could be looking to make a statement by returning to the market with the Jets.
The timing of Beckham’s injury could reduce the contract he commands, although the Jets would likely still have to out-bid contenders to land Beckham’s services. Signing Allen Robinson or pursuing a trade for Calvin Ridley could also address New York’s need for a top receiver but landing Beckham would be a bold move.