In order for Adam Gase’s offense to operate at an elite level in 2019, the Jets need to add a No. 1 wide receiver this offseason.
Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are solid wideouts, but they are not No. 1 receivers at this point in time. Sam Darnold needs more weapons to throw to and the perfect solution to that would be to add a bonafide star out wide. Unfortunately for the Jets, there is no true No. 1 wide receiver in this year’s free agent class. This means that general manager Mike Maccagnan will have to explore the trade market if he wants to bring an elite wide receiver to the Big Apple.
With that being said, here are three No. 1 wide receivers the Jets should try to trade for this offseason.
Mike Evans
With Bruce Arians running the show, there is almost no way Tampa Bay parts ways with Evans this offseason. Evans is essentially the perfect receiver for Arians’ vertical attack and the veteran head coach is likely salivating at the chance to employ him in his scheme.
For the sake of argument, let’s say the Buccaneers decide to go in a different direction. Evans has a massive five-year, $82 million contract that takes up a large chunk of Tampa Bay’s payroll. The Bucs are nearly in full rebuild mode and Evans’ contract does not provide the front office much flexibility to add additional talent.
Landing Evans would take a king’s ransom, but he is a talent worth trading a high draft pick or two for. He would take New York’s offense to the next level and give Darnold the big-bodied No. 1 target he has been yearning for.
A.J. Green
The chances Cincinnati gives any thought to trading A.J. Green are slim, but he would be the perfect fit for the Jets.
Since entering the league in 2011, Green has done nothing but produce. He doesn’t say much and flies under the radar as a result, but the 30-year-old wideout is a legitimate top-five player at the position.
In the event contract extension talks between the two dies break down, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Bengals look to move Green. A deal between Cincinnati and New York has already been described as “highly unlikely”, but it doesn’t hurt to dream about what Green could accomplish catching passes from Sam Darnold in the Big Apple.
Antonio Brown
Unlike Evans and Green, Brown is available for the taking in a trade. The All-Pro wideout has worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh and it’s nearly a certainty that Brown will not be a Steeler in 2019.
On the field, Brown is everything a team could want. He is an excellent route runner, has top-end speed and is a threat to take it to the house on any given play. Teams must account for Brown whenever he is on the field and game planning for him is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
However, Brown comes with plenty of baggage and diva tendencies. Is that the kind of player the Jets want in the same locker room as the developing Darnold? If New York’s front office thinks Brown can gel with the rest of the team and not cause any problems, there’s no reason not to go after him.
Buyer beware, though. Bringing in Brown is a risk — one that might not be worth taking for the Jets.
