New York Jets: Free agent targets on offense to help Kirk Cousins
The New York Jets are reportedly going all-in on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, and if they are, they should target offensive players in free agency to put alongside him.
The New York Jets haven’t had a franchise quarterback since the days of Joe Willie Namath. There are options in the draft, and one option in free agency.
According to multiple reports, the Jets will do anything it takes to land Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.
In fact, one prominent former Jets quarterback seems to believe it’s a foregone conclusion that he will end up in green and white next season.
Boomer on @WFANmornings said that he thinks Cousins to the Jets is a done deal according to the people around the league that he has spoken to. It won’t be long until NFL free agency starts.
— FC (@theBKbig3) February 21, 2018
Talks with agents of pending free agents can begin March 12. So, the Jets can have Cousins locked in by the time the league year begins March 14.
Who should they put around him, though? In order to entice him to come, they’re going to have to put a good team around him, because he’s not really the time of quarterback whose play elevates the play of others.
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He’s going to need some talent. Let’s examine who they should go after.
A No. 1 target: Allen Robinson
Robinson is coming off of an injury, but he showed in 2015-16 what he can do when he’s the man. In those two seasons, he had 153 receptions on 302 targets, 2,883 yards, and 20 touchdowns. Adding a guy like Robinson could also pave the way to cut Robby Anderson, who has seen trouble with the law in each of the last two offseasons. Cousins is a much better quarterback than Blake Bortles. So, Robinson could be the right fit at the right time for the Jets.
A completely rebuilt offensive line
They have to fix their offensive line anyway. So, instead of just a retool, they should just go with a complete overhaul and get four new offensive linemen. Ryan Jensen (center), Justin Pugh (guard), Andrew Norwell (guard), and Nate Solder (tackle) all could be available for the Jets to pounce on. If all of them are, they should go after all of them. They have the cap space to land all four, and combined with Kelvin Beachum, that line could be formidable.
A running back
If the Patriots allow him to walk, and they land Cousins, Dion Lewis should be on the list of weapons for Cousins. Lewis is not only a quality pass catcher and runner, having the highest Pro Football Focus Elite Elusive Rating among back who played in 50 percent of the teams snaps (both running and passing, but in 35 pass blocking snaps, he didn’t allow a single pressure. So, he’s a capable blocker too.
Next: Jets: 7-Round 2018 mock draft if Cousins signs
This is the perfect strategy. Build one side of the ball through free agency and the other through the draft. It will allow the Jets to solely focus on defense in the draft, and finish the rebuild and finally have a postseason contender.