The New York Jets replaced their head coach and GM this offseason, eventually tabbing Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan as the next set of men tasked with leading the franchise to ultimate NFL glory.
As the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis wraps up, the football world is set to receive its first glimpse into Bowles and Maccagnan's plan for revamping the recently moribund Jets organization.
Draft Insider's Tony Pauline is hearing from NFL sources in Indy that the initial step for the new Jets brain trust will be a big splash in the NFL's free agent period in March.
"I was told the Jets intend to be big players in the free agent market, specifically on defense. I'm told they will target outside linebackers and cornerbacks as big ticket items. They evidently will look for younger, taller corners," writes Pauline. "Potential free agents who fit the mold include Davon House, Chris Culliver and someone familiar to the teams new general manager Mike Maccagnan, Kareem Jackson. I'm told they will look to add depth on the defensive line and hope to add a mid-value guard, someone that won't cost a lot of money."
The need for a cornerback upgrade was evident throughout the year for the Jets as it proved to be the thinnest and possibly least talented position on the roster thanks to the lack of foresight - as well as money spent - by former Jets GM John Idzik. Recent draft picks Kyle Wilson, Dexter McDougle and Dee Milliner provided little in the way of impact last season either due to general ineffectiveness - Wilson - or injury - McDougle, Milliner - and their replacements didn't fare much better.
Pauline also revealed that the team won't spend the money it would likely take to land San Francisco 49ers guard Mike Iupati despite rumors of their interest.
As for the 2015 NFL Draft, Rich Cimini of ESPN reported that league sources have informed him the Jets are unlikely to take a quarterback with their first-round pick.
"We're still nine weeks from the draft, but the preliminary sense I get is the New York Jets aren't looking to take a quarterback with their first-round pick," Cimini writes. "Obviously, that could change as they continue to evaluate Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, but the vibe close to the organization is that general manager Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles aren't in a quarterback-or-bust mode."
That's somewhat surprising considering the major question mark that is current projected starter, Geno Smith, a player Cimini said almost no scouts or personnel people at the combine spoke of in positive terms.