HIGH FIVE FREE AGENTS
Douglas looks to jump on free agents who missed big money in 1st wave
The Jets still have plenty of roster holes to fill as the second week of free agency gets under way.
General manager Joe Douglas has shown he is a bargain shopper and there should be bargains to be had now that the first wave of free agency is over. There will be players who expected big paydays ready to settle for short-term deals for less money.
With that in mind, here are five players still on the market who could make sense for the Jets:
Breshad Perriman, WR
Douglas was with the Ravens when they drafted Perriman in the first round in 2015, so there is some familiarity there. Perriman did not develop in Baltimore the way the Ravens had hoped, but he had a decent 2019 season for the Buccaneers. The 26-year-old had 36 catches for 645 yards and six touchdowns. He had three 100yard receiving performances in Tampa Bay’s final three games.
The Jets still could bring back Robby Anderson, who remains a free agent, but Perriman may be a good option if they can’t.
Logan Ryan, CB
The Jets were never getting into the big-money cornerback market, so they watched Byron Jones go to the Dolphins and James Bradberry join the Giants. The position remains a huge need for them. Gregg Williams found a way to scheme around their deficiencies last year. The Jets should give him some better players this year.
Ryan is the best cornerback left on the market. An NFL Network report said he was willing to play on a oneyear deal, but is seeking $10 million. I’m not sure if Douglas will go that high, but the price could come down soon as the days drag on. Ryan, 29, had four interceptions in the regular season for the
Titans last year and added a memorable one in the postseason on what was Tom Brady’s last pass as a Patriot. The Rutgers product has been part of winning programs in New England and Tennessee and could help the Jets’ locker room.
Jimmy Smith, CB
The longtime Raven remains on the market and his price tag could be low. The 31-year-old could provide a veteran presence for the Jets, something they need in the secondary. Smith has had off-field issues in Baltimore, but Douglas and his right-hand man, Chad Alexander, a longtime Ravens scout, both know Smith well. The Jets debated drafting Smith in 2011, but went with Muhammad Wilkerson instead. Maybe now he will become a Jet.
Joe Flacco, QB
You may be sensing a theme with former Ravens. Douglas was the scout who pushed for Baltimore to draft Flacco in 2008. The Jets need a veteran backup for Sam Darnold and Flacco makes a lot of sense. One thing that has to be cleared up before Flacco goes anywhere is his health. The 35-year-old suffered a neck injury last year and was released with a failed physical designation by the Broncos last week. If Flacco is healthy, he might be the perfect backup for Darnold, who has missed six games in his first two years.
Cameron Wake, OLB
We have gone with a lot of players with connections to Douglas, but here is one with a connection to coach Adam Gase. Wake played three seasons for Gase with the Dolphins. The 38-year-old only played nine games with the Titans last year as he battled injuries. He had 2.5 sacks. He had 10.5 sacks in 2017, which is not that long ago, and he could provide leadership in the locker room.