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

By Michael Pallas

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)
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 – DECEMBER 03: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB

Teddy Bridgewater would be a perfect answer with more upside than risk. The NFL Draft is a crapshoot, and it always has been. So, taking a player who’s proven himself with an incentive-laden backloaded contract (to prove he’s healthy) is risk aversion.

According to Spotrac, current Jets quarterback Josh McCown’s incentives areas follows:

"Incentives: $7M ($500,000 LTBE) 50% snaps in a game: $125,000 (max $2M) Playoff Bonus (with 65% playing time): $2M Super Bowl (with 65% playing time): $1.5M Super Bowl Win: $1.5M"

LTBE means likely to be earned. That means only $500,000 of those bonuses counted against the cap, unless McCown actually earned them. The Jets should do the same with Bridgewater at the front end of his deal. The Jets can then work themselves out of the deal if he gets injured and can’t play. If he stays healthy it would be well worth the deal. They’d get a young quarterback with talent who’s proven he’s a more than capable NFL quarterback.

Next: 2018 NFL Free Agency: Early predictions for top 15 players

It’s a win-win for Gang Green. They can build their team around a young and proven quarterback, and use the cap space elsewhere in free agency. They can then also focus on other positions of need in the draft. Many people expect the Jets to use the draft to get one of the young up and coming stars. There’s already one in the NFL. They don’t need to draft one.

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