New York Jets: 3 Top-tier free agents they need to sign for 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Le'Veon Bell #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball as he stiff arms Adoree' Jackson #25 of the Tennessee Titans in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on November 16, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 04: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball on his way to scoring a 55-yard receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Gordon, WR

The wide receiver free agent class is a little weak, but the Jets can make a splash by signing New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon. He is a restricted free agent, so the Pats can match an offer made by another club. The Jets need to make Gordon a great offer here and hope the Patriots don’t match it. Tricky, but it can be done.

Gordon does come with some baggage due to his off the field issues over the years that have been well documented. However, he comes with high upside and is probably the truest wide receiver one on the free agency board.

The Houston native will be 28 years old in 2019, so he is still in his prime years. If he stays focused and motivated, he has an opportunity to approach his breakout season of 2013 when he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,646) for the Cleveland Browns. Gordon collected 87 receptions and scored nine touchdowns that season and was named a First Team All-Pro.

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That was five years ago but Gordon has been rounding into form recently for the Pats. He has two 100-yard games this season and is averaging 17.6 yards per catch with three touchdowns. It took him awhile to decipher and learn New England’s system but his upside in still so high that he can easily lead the Pats back to the Super Bowl.

He’s a big, strong, physical receiver with strong hands and very good speed. Gordon can run any route in the route tree. The Jets have to do all they can to bring him on board in 2019.

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