Now Jets may look to Ridley, Brown
One more wide receiver is off the Jets’ free agent wish list.
The Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans have agreed on a twoyear, $52 million contract.
The Jets were one of the many teams that targeted Evans, 30, this offseason. However, many considered landing the five-time Pro Bowler a long shot because he wanted to remain with the Buccaneers.
With Evans off the board, the Jets will now focus on other free-agent receivers. Gang Green is looking for another receiver to pair with top target Garrett Wilson.
The Jets have reportedly been trying to convince the Raiders to trade veteran receiver Davante Adams. But Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco said the team is not interested in trading the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.
A year ago, the Jets signed Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract, hoping he would help improve their offense. However, he suffered through a disappointing 2023 season.
Lazard finished last season with 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. He was also a healthy scratch for three games.
Lazard’s 2024 salary ($10 million) is fully guaranteed. Because of that, the Jets and Lazard must find a way to make it work, at least through the 2024 season.
The Jets will hope the return of Aaron Rodgers, who was also his teammate in Green Bay for five seasons, can help Lazard regain his form. But the Jets cannot depend on Lazard emerging as their No. 2 receiver again this offseason.
That’s why the Jets receiver wish list could include Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown, and Bills receiver Gabe Davis.
Following a 2022 suspension for betting on NFL games, Ridley was traded from the Falcons to the Jaguars. He finished the 2023 season with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
With his exceptional speed, Brown would be a significant addition to the Jets receiver room. But his numbers with the Cardinals declined the last two seasons after finishing with 91 catches, 1,008 yards, and six touchdowns in 2021. He registered 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Davis has recently hinted that his days with the Bills are over. Two weeks ago, he posted a video on social media that seemed like a farewell message to Buffalo fans. He averaged 40 catches for 683 yards and seven touchdowns each of the last four years.
The Jets could also look toward the draft to fill their receiving needs. They’re expected to select an offensive lineman in Round 1. But that will also depend on what the team does in free agency.
If Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers are still available when the Jets select No. 10 in the draft, the team would undoubtedly have to consider it. Gang Green could also consider adding Brock Bowers, a game-changing tight end from Georgia.
The Jets’ tight end room is loaded with Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, and Jeremy Ruckert, but they were one of 15 teams who met with Bowers at the combine. During his three seasons at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns en route to helping the Bulldogs win two national championships.