The deadline to designate players with the franchise or transition tag has officially passed, leaving multiple high-end free agents available for any team to sign at the start of the new league year.
The new league starts on March 13 and the New York Jets will have the second-most available cap space in the NFL. Expect them to be busy.
Here are the seven free agents who best fit Gang Green.
DE Trey Flowers
Trey Flowers is pound-for-pound the best available pass-rusher on the market.
The Patriots opted not to place a franchise tag on Flowers, making him a free agent. Anytime Bill Belichick lets a player enter free agency, you have to hold your breath, but Flowers is a special talent.
New England’s big-time edge rusher helped the Patriots defense carry the team to another Super Bowl win. The Jets should have no problem wooing Flowers with money; it’s more of whether he wants to remain in the AFC East or not.
RB Le’Veon Bell
It’s fair to say that the Jets are leading the charge for Bell’s services.
The running back sat out the entirety of the 2018 season, refusing to play on the franchise tag for a second consecutive season.
It may take a little bit for him to get back to game speed. There is no doubt that he is a game-changing back, though. He would not only become the Jets’ best ball carrier, but their best receiver as well.
The Jets should have no problem bidding for Bell’s services, as they need to surround Sam Darnold with as much talent as possible.
DE Preston Smith
Preston Smith is coming off of his rookie deal with the Redskins. He is due for a pay-day even if his results have been inconsistent.
In a market filled with edge rushers, Smith could surely be had for less than Trey Flowers or Dante Fowler are commanding. Smith could become the perfect pairing signing.
Smith had four sacks, three passes defended and an interception to in 2018. Pairing him with another free agent pass-rusher in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme could allow the 26-year-old to break out in the middle of his prime.
OG Rodger Saffold
Rodger Saffold will hit the open market after helping the Rams to Super Bowl.
The Jets need help in the interior of their offensive line, specifically on the left side after Spencer Long signed in Buffalo and with James Carpenter way past his prime.
Saffold was part of one of the better interior running games in the NFL in Los Angeles. His presence not only helps the run game but, it allows Darnold to be comfortable from a shotgun formation.
Expect the Jets to throw money at Saffold as they attempt to rebuild their offensive line through free agency.
C Matt Paradis
Matt Paradis is the best center on the market and the Jets badly need a replacement after Spencer Long’s miserable season under center.
The Jets have been unable to correctly replace Nick Mangold for the past two seasons. Last year, it hurt their rookie quarterbacks development.
Paradis had started every game for Denver since 2015 until he was met with a foot injury after nine games in 2018. A fractured fibula cost Paradis his season, but he is expected to be ready to go for OTAs.
He helped the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50 and has been a consistent mainstay on a rather solid offensive line. The Jets need consistency and Paradis is the perfect fit.
OLB Dante Fowler
The Jets front office has been infatuated with Dante Fowler for the past two seasons.
New York came close to pulling the trigger on him at the trade deadline but did not want to give away its already limited draft capital.
Fowler compares to Leonard Williams a lot. Williams is a solid player, but both defenders have not played up to their potential nor their draft slot. Under Gregg Wiliams and in a 3-4 set, Fowler may be able to finally fully maximize his potential as every down pass-rusher.
WR Adam Humphries
It’s not often that slot receivers in their prime hit the open market, but Adam Humphries will be readily available when free agency begins.
The Jets have a need in the slot with Jermaine Kearse set to be a free agent. The addition of Humphries would allow Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa to find permanent homes on the outside.
Humphries, just 25, had a career year for the Buccaneers in 2018 with 78 receptions for 816 yards and five touchdowns. The Jets need that type of reliability in the slot in order to give Darnold another security blanket.
