3 free agents Jets must target after 2024 NFL Draft

The Jets have already done some serious work on their receiving corps this offseason, signing Mike Williams in free agency and selecting Western Kentucky standout Malachi Corley in the third round of the NFL Draft.

New York boasts a pretty formidable receiving duo of Garrett Wilson and Williams, and Corley could end up having a big role too. Beyond that, the Jets also have Allen Lazard, who was a favorite of Rodgers during his Green Bay Packers days.

But it’s important to note that Williams is coming off of a torn ACL, which was a big reason why the Los Angeles Chargers cut him in the first place (combined with his salary). As far as Corley, he looks like he could be a heck of a steal for Gang Green. But rookies are largely a crapshoot, particularly when they are taken past the second round.

Why not bring in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who enjoyed a nice run with Rodgers in Green Bay, for some insurance?

Valdes-Scantling has spent the last couple of years with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping the franchise win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. He has played a significant role in those championship runs, making some big catches on Patrick Mahomes throws in the playoffs.

So not only does Valdes-Scantling already have a good rapport with Rodgers, but he has some incredible postseason experience under his belt.

The 29-year-old enjoyed his best season in 2020, when he hauled in 33 receptions for 690 yards and six touchdowns with the Packers. He led the NFL with 20.9 yards per catch that season, demonstrating his connection with Rodgers.

Valdes-Scantling is also just two years removed from catching 42 passes for 687 yards and a couple of scores.

Is receiver a pressing need for the Jets? No, but injuries happen, so you can never have enough depth. And again, the camaraderie with Rodgers is significant.

Connor McGovern – offensive lineman

Joe Tippmann is clearly New York’s starting center heading into 2024 after a really nice showing during his rookie campaign. That’s what has caused the Jets to neglect re-signing Connor McGovern in free agency. But McGovern is still out there, and New York could use some offensive line depth.

The Jets have completely revamped their offensive line this offseason, but they probably still cringe at the thought of all of the injuries that occurred along that front in 2023. It’s hard not to get shellshocked from that, which is why New York should really focus heavily on ensuring there is enough depth in the trenches.

McGovern is a familiar face and can play multiple positions. While he is primarily a center, he can also play guard, which would give the Jets some flexibility.

Plus, at this point, McGovern would come really cheap. He hasn’t really drawn much interest from other teams in free agency. So if New York decides to give him a call about returning, he would probably be open to an affordable one-year contract.

We’ll see if the Jets return to this well in the coming weeks and months.

Justin Simmons – safety

Safety is one of the only needs the Jets haven’t really addressed this offseason.

It’s not that New York has terrible safeties. Chuck Clark and Tony Adams aren’t bad. But are they the two guys you want back there when having to defend aerial attacks like the Dolphins and the Chiefs? Probably not.

Fortunately, the Jets’ front seven is good enough to compensate for their mediocre safeties, and Sauce Gardner is one of the game’s best cornerbacks. Still, it would behoove New York to add another piece back there, and with Justin Simmons still available, it’s hard to understand why the Jets haven’t contacted him.

Of course, we don’t know for sure. Perhaps New York did place a call to Simmons’ agent, and maybe his price tag was too high. Or maybe Simmons just wasn’t all that interested in the Big Apple. Who knows?

But if there is still a chance for the Jets to add Simmons, they should jump at the opportunity.

Simmons was released by the Denver Broncos in March, but he is coming off of a Pro Bowl campaign in which he registered 70 tackles, a sack, three interceptions, a couple of forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and eight passes defended. He also earned his fourth Second-Team All-Pro selection in the last five years.

Clearly, the 30-year-old has plenty left in the tank, so the fact that he remains available is pretty odd. He may just be waiting for the most ideal situation, or maybe he is asking for too much money. Whatever the case may be, Simmons will almost definitely sign somewhere soon, and the Jets would be a perfect fit.