New York Jets: Top 5 free agents to target in 2018

New York Jets: Top 5 targets for 2018 NFL free agency

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws on the third down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 12: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Dontari Poe #92 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4. Dontari Poe, NT

The Jets have a big hole in the middle of the defense. They need a nose tackle that can eat up blocks and allow their middle linebackers get to the running back. Poe is playing as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme in Atlanta, but his natural position is at nose tackle, where he played for the start of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Jets could settle for looking for a nose tackle in the draft, because there are good ones in this incoming class of players. However, Poe can provide the Jets with two things that a rookie wouldn’t be able to. The first is a quality talent who’s shown he can handle the position, and the second is someone that won’t be a huge hit to the salary cap, both in 2018 and the future. Though the Jets have money to burn this offseason, they can’t have an albatross sitting on their books.

Football and baseball are a lot alike in one aspect: you build from the middle out. In baseball, it’s about the catcher, pitcher, shortstop and centerfielder. In football, on offense, it’s about running back, quarterback and offensive line. And on defense it’s about the interior linemen, linebackers and safeties. The middle is key in both sports.

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