We are now only a couple weeks away from Joe Douglas’ first crack at fixing a Jets roster that is littered with holes.
Free agency begins on March 18 and it’s safe to assume Douglas will be active from the start. There are numerous impact players available on the open market this offseason, which will make New York’s first-year general manager’s job a whole lot easier. There will also be some familiar faces looking for new homes that Douglas could turn to as he goes about shaping the Jets into a contender.
Douglas helped build a Super Bowl winner with the Eagles. Could he turn to some of his former players in an effort to recapture that magic in the Big Apple? Douglas shouldn’t target every free agent player from his days in Philadelphia, but there are definitely some who he could wind up going after.
Let’s take a look at who those players are.
Nigel Bradham
If this list was made a couple of days ago, Bradham would not be on it. The Eagles declined their option on his contract on Tuesday, giving the 31-year-old outside linebacker a head start on preparing for free agency.
Bradham’s production dropped drastically in 2019, as he recorded only 61 tackles and no sacks compared to 97 tackles and two sacks in 2018. He is also on the wrong side of 30, which could give Douglas pause when it comes to pursuing him.
Despite his age and drop in numbers, Bradham could be a valuable piece for the Jets. It’s not a coincidence that New York’s 2009 and 2010 playoff teams featured defenses that were littered with veterans. He’s not the most prolific pass rusher, but he is durable and would be a good locker room presence on a team that is filled with younger players still trying to find their way in the NFL.
Jordan Howard
Howard is an ideal candidate to become Le’Veon Bell’s next backup running back. He fits in Adam Gase’s offensive scheme and can do a little bit of everything out of the backfield.
Howard would also come relatively cheap, but there is a big question mark looming over his free agency. The Indiana product performed well enough in 2019 to earn a starting gig with a team in desperate need of a tailback. Knowing this, would he sign with New York as a backup?
If Howard is content serving as Bell’s No. 2, all Joe Douglas has to do to find a back who can effectively spell New York’s star rusher is look down the New Jersey Turnpike.
Nelson Agholor
The sight of Agholor on this list will probably give Jets fans nightmares, but remember, this is a could target list. Not should.
Nonetheless, the Jets need receivers for Sam Darnold to work with. Agholor is available and still has some potential in him despite numerous costly drops that essentially turned him into a pariah in Philadelphia.
Don’t expect Darnold’s fellow USC Trojan to wind up in the Big Apple, though. The Jets can look elsewhere to find a reliable wideout for their third-year quarterback to throw to.
Ronald Darby
Darby is much like Agholor in the sense that he could — not should — be targeted by the the Jets this offseason.
The Florida State product was once a promising cornerback prospect with the Bills. Things didn’t work out for him in Buffalo and one could argue they only got worse in Philadelphia.
However, Darby is familiar with the AFC East and the Jets cornerback room is in shambles. That could give Joe Douglas a reason to at least give Darby a look. With that being said, don’t expect a signing to take place here.
Nate Sudfeld
The Jets need a backup quarterback, which is a role Sudfeld has served in throughout his NFL career.
The former Indiana star broke his non-throwing wrist last preseason and wound up not appearing in a single game in 2019. Despite the injury and his lack of playing time a year ago, Sudfeld still remains a somewhat intriguing option to back up Sam Darnold.
At the very least, he is better and has more potential than last year’s crop of backup quarterbacks at One Jets Drive.
