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New York Jets: 3 Free Agents to consider signing in 2018

By Stephen Smith

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Now that the 4-6 Jets are on their bye week, it’s time to look into the crystal ball and ponder signing three key free agents for 2018.

Now that the New York Jets are on their bye week, and not a moment too soon, it’s time to look into the crystal ball and dream a little bit. Despite their lackluster 15-10 setback to Tampa Bay in Week 10, Gang Green has overachieved so far this season at 4-6.

Whether they continue to perform better than expected moving forward remains to be seen so now is a good time to take a look at some free agents they can sign for the 2018 campaign. Some might seem a little far-fetched but so be it. They can almost become a reality as well. Jets fans are dying for a winner, a team that can seriously challenge the New England Patriots for the AFC East crown.

According to Over The Cap, Gang Green has over $68 million in cap space next year so there is plenty of money to spend. I still believe in building through the draft. It’s the smart way to construct a winner. However, you can mix smart draft selections with a few intelligent free agent signings and build a team to be reckoned with.

Let’s take a look at three free agent players that New York should consider signing once the free agency signing period commences next March.

3. Kirk Cousins, QB

The six-year NFL veteran will be a hot commodity this off-season. No doubt. He is one of the better signal-callers in the league with 2,474 passing yards (ranked third), 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions. The Michigan State product has excellent mobility as well – he has rambled for 130 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Cousins is still in his prime at 29 years old and he is on course for his third consecutive 4,000-yard passing campaign.

The 6-3, 202-pounder won’t come cheaply. He is making nearly $24 million this season and will be looking for security with a long-time contract. Let’s face it, the Jets won’t be in position to draft in the top three slots in next year’s NFL Draft so the top college quarterback prospects, led by Sam Darnold, will be long gone. Josh McCown has performed much better than expected this year but he will be 39 in 2018 and is not the long-term solution. We all know it. That’s where Cousins comes in.

General manager Mike Maccagnan should see if Cousins would be interested in a three-year, $85 million pact. If he is able to sign Cousins, then McCown could be a viable backup for a year or two. In the meantime, Gang Green can fill other needs via the draft and eventually draft their quarterback of the future. Mix Cousins in with New York’s foundation players and a couple other prominent free agents that I will mention later in this article and the Jets will be on their way to annual playoff contention.

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