The New York Jets have around $50 million in salary cap space to play with this offseason and that's good news for a team that hasn't enjoyed a winning season since 2010. New Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has not been shy about what he plans to do with all of that cash, telling local media last month that the team intends to be "very active" in free agency. Of course, the best teams - such as the Packers, Seahawks and Patriots of the worl - build through the draft. But free agency can help round out a roster and enable teams to draft based on value instead of need.
"We definitely have a lot of cap space," Maccagnan said. "Our goal is to look at all avenues possible in free agency. I don't want to give away our philosophy in terms of how we're going to attack free agency, but our goal is to ideally fill some of our needs via free agency, which will allow us to be a little more flexible in the draft in terms of looking for the best player available - building through the draft is ideally what I'd like to do, but we'll be very active in free agency."
Today, the Jets head honcho took that sentiment a step further, according to ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini.
Maccagnan says they will be potentially involved in trying to sign big-money free agents. #nyj
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 18, 2015
Maccagnan seems to be positioning himself to go after the top players in areas of need for the Jets once free agency opens next month. New York's most glaring holes, aside from quarterback, are likely in the secondary and in the wide receiving corps.
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty is arguably the best defensive back on the market. The Patriots still need to figure out a long-term solution for Darrelle Revis, so it's possible that McCourty could reach free agency without a new deal. The two-time All-Pro would be a welcome addition to a pass defense that allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (31) and ranked 21st in opposing completion percentage (64.1) last season. McCourty could be seeking a deal in the $8 million-to-$10 million annual range, just a tad below the deals fellow safeties Earl Thomas and Jairus Byrd signed last offseason.
As far as upgrading at the wide receiver position, there appear to be plenty of options. While Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas are expected to return to their respective teams, Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin could very well be available. Both receivers, especially Cobb, offer the enticing combination of youth and talent. Cobb, 24, is coming off a stellar season in which he caught 91 passes for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. Maclin, 26, set a host of career highs with 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both pass catchers could be seeking deals that stat at $9 million annually.
The Jets have Drake-like money to blow and some enticing options to blow it on. While you don't want to get too far ahead of yourselves, Jets fan should be a bit excited for this offseason. It's the start of a new regime and an opportunity to add some very productive players.
