Ranking Jets Free Agent Receivers Targets

The New York Jets know that they need some added insurance to their receiving core this offseason. Who makes the most sense at the start of free agency?

There are many different ways the New York Jets can address their wide receiver needs this offseason. They could trade for a big name like Davante Adams, or they can draft a high-profile one in April. 

Arguably the easiest way for them to improve the group, though, is through free agency. 

Luckily for New York, there are plenty of free-agent wideouts that won't cost draft capital while still helping the team in 2024. Just how many of those names are out there, though? And how realistic is it for the Jets to nab one of the top names? 

Today, we break down the top free agent names and where they rank among the Jets' board of targets. 

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Tier 1: Surefire Moves that Improve Team

Tee Higgins

Mike Evans 

Calvin Ridley

It seems like we agree with LeSauceGM.

Plain and simple - if New York were to add any of these players to their roster, they would have solved the second-receiver question as quickly as it came up last season. You could throw Michael Pittman in here as well, but I think it's more likely he gets franchise-tagged (even more than Higgins). 

This is the "A" list that should make every fan happy if the team can acquire one of these players. 

Evans is a top name after Higgins and could be a perfect #2 option behind Garrett Wilson. Ridley may not be on the same talent level as the two top names, but he's probably the most sound second option that will be available. 

Tier 2: Solid Additions That will Rely On Depth Of Group

Tyler Boyd

Curtis Samuel

Marquise Brown

Kendrick Bourne

The common theme from most of these free agents is that they can be considered slot-receiver stars. Boyd, Bourne, Brown, and Samuel would all enhance New York's passing attack but it wouldn't exactly solve the current concerns on the outside that someone like Allen Lazard was supposed to solve last season. 

I like to call this collection the "B" signings. Strong starters that don't exactly solve an outside need, but give the Jets more offensive weapons.

That being said, perhaps the pressure would be off Lazard if a player like Boyd or Brown were brought into the fold. The Jets could probably count on Lazard more as a third option than a top-two as he was last season. 

Tier 3 Doesn't Move The Needle

DJ Chark

Odell Beckham Jr. 

Jamal Agnew

The "C" list is a group of players that, while they can certainly help the Jets in 2024, have factors in place that make their signings not a major upgrade over what the team has on their roster. 

DJ Chark and OBJ are solid veteran receivers who can help but have a history of injury concerns and questions surrounding their long-term availability. Agnew is an offensive weapon more than a receiver, so he would be a nice piece, but can't be the only one. 

Now if New York were to sign all three of these players? It would make things certainly different for the receiver room and should get fans excited. Our "A, and B" lists are full of those types of guys. Our "C" list is not. 

Jets Concern Over Coaching, Front Office Exodus?

Tier 4: Why?

Parris Campbell

Mecole Hardman

Braxton Berrios

If New York's only moves this offseason center around bringing back players like Hardman or Berrios, there must be serious questions to be had regarding general manager Joe Douglas' stability as a general manager. 

You can throw Campbell as well who has injury concerns like some of these players but has nowhere near the upside.