New York Jets: 3 Big-name targets in 2020 NFL free agency

1. Amari Cooper, WR

There is a good chance that Robby Anderson has played his last game as a member of the New York Jets. He’s an unrestricted free agent and could end up in Carolina or Miami, amongst other teams. He’s not a true No. 1 wideout anyway. Gang Green sorely needs one.

Amari Cooper would fill that role, and then some, as Sam Darnold‘s No. 1 wide receiver, a true bonafide top dog among NFL wideouts.

The Dallas Cowboys could decide to franchise tag Cooper. However, they may save that designation for quarterback Dak Prescott if they can’t agree on new contract terms. If Cooper does hit the open market, he won’t be easy to procure. Money usually talks though and the Jets would be wise to ante up to try to secure his services.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, the Alabama product set career-highs in 2019 in receiving yards (1,189) and touchdowns (8). He added the second-most receptions in his career (79) and owns a 14.3 yards per reception average during his five-year career with the Raiders and Cowboys. He’s gained over 1,000 yards in a season four times and has tallied 33 total touchdowns.

While Cooper does not have elite speed, he is certainly fast enough to break any route to the house. He’s known as a superb route runner with excellent hands and fine balance. Cooper can make the really tough catch in traffic and he’d immediately slot in as New York’s No. 1 wide receiver. He’d mostly line up either wide left or right although he can work out of the slot from time to time.

The Miami native is just what the doctor ordered for Darnold and a struggling Gang Green offense that averaged just 17.2 points a game last year (31st in the NFL). Now the big question is: Can the Jets make a huge splash and actually get him? Stay tuned.