New York Jets: 3 Underrated targets in 2018 NFL Free Agency

The New York Jets will have plenty of money to spend in NFL free agency. Here are three underrated players they should consider signing.

The start of free agency in the National Football League commences on March 9 at 4 p.m. ET. It’s an exciting time for fans as they speculate about which player might join their team, where some of the more well-known players may be headed to, etc. The New York Jets have the fourth most salary cap space to work with, $72,713,597, per OverTheCap.com. They can make a real splash and significantly improve their club by making sound free agent acquisitions.

I wrote several weeks ago that Gang Green should sign free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins. That would give New York the franchise signal-caller that they have needed for so long. That’s a big-ticket signing, no doubt. However, the Jets can also make an impact by signing some underrated free agents as well.

Let’s take a look at three players that would bolster their roster and not cost a king’s ransom to acquire:

3. Paul Richardson, WR

The four-year NFL veteran often gets overlooked in Seattle because he plays next to Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin. The University of Colorado product enjoyed the best season of his career in 2017 with 44 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns. Richardson has excellent speed and averaged 16 yards per catch.

The Jets need to upgrade their receiving corps, especially with the legal issues facing Robby Anderson, their top WR last year. Will Anderson even be on the team when Gang Green kicks off their 2018 campaign in September? That remains to be seen so New York should take a close look at what Richardson can bring to the table.

The 6-0, 183-pounder is just 25 years old so he is just entering his prime. He would give the Jets a dynamic weapon on the post pattern and via sluggo routes. According to Spotrac, Richardson’s Calculated Market Value is $6.3 million annually. Gang Green can certainly afford to ink him to a four-year, $25.5 million pact based on their cap space. That would provide a healthy raise for Richardson and give the Jets a game-breaking weapon, especially if Anderson is not on the active roster.