The New York Jets did not have a great secondary last season. Although this defense got by thanks to a quality front seven, the backend is littered with serious question marks. New York ranked just 24th in overall pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), according to Football Outsiders. The Jets especially got torched by opposing secondary receivers and pass-catchers. A tight end could practically walk into the end zone against them in 2014. As such, the Jets need to find some impact defensive backs this offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner lists Darrelle Revis and Byron Maxwell as New York's top free agent targets.
"Revis may not be quite the cornerback he was back in his Revis Island days, but he is many levels above the current cornerbacks on the Jets' roster," Joyner wrote. "New York has as much as $50 million more in cap space than New England, so if the Jets' brain trust puts its mind to the task, it could either outbid the Patriots or make its division rivals spend more on Revis than they want to.
"If Revis decides to stay in New England, Maxwell would be a very good consolation prize. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan ranked Maxwell as the top cornerback in this year's free-agent class. Given the Jets' cornerback and salary-cap situations, signing both Revis and Maxwell could be a long-shot possibility."
But the Jets don't just need help on defense. New York could also use another running back after the team jettisoned veteran Chris Johnson earlier in free agency. Would they have any interest in Justin Forsett, who finished fifth in the league in rushing last season?
"New York could use a game-breaking running back and Forsett fits the bill, as he ranked first among running backs in yards per carry last season (5.4). His age (29) could be a negative for some teams; however, Forsett has only 582 career carries, so he is still in good shape from a wear-and-tear perspective."
