How can the New York Jets utilize free agency in 2021 to fully rebuild?
The New York Jets are currently heading towards the first winless season in their history. This is one of the darkest times in the franchise’s history. Light, however, is at the end of the tunnel and that light is in the form of the two first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, including the likely No. 1 overall pick. The possibility of Trevor Lawrence might just get make this season worth the pain for Jets fans.
Despite holding the pair of first-rounders and a handful of mid-rounders, general manager Joe Douglas must also replenish the roster with talent in this rebuild elsewhere. Subsequently, free agency could play a pivotal role in bringing the Jets back to relevance.
New York is projected to have the second-most cap space in the league for the 2021 offseason, per Over The Cap, and they must use this to their advantage to rebuild this roster. With that in mind, these are three players as we take an early look at 2021 free agency that the New York Jets should have in their crosshairs.
New York Jets 2021 free agent target No. 3: Allen Robinson, WR
This would be a fantastic addition to the Jets’ receiving ranks. Allen Robinson is a superb athlete who would create a frightening offense for the Jets if he were to sign with them in 2021. The Jets wide receiver corps has been riddled with injuries throughout the 2020 campaign but we have recently seen the playmaking ability of second-rounder Denzel Mims.
A receiver corps with Robinson, Mims, Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in 2021. He would cost a lot for the Jets as there is no doubt that he will be highly pursued by a number of teams.
He has 71 receptions this year for 829 yards, despite subpar quarterback play in Chicago. If the Jets reset with Lawrence, this would be a superb addition to give the Clemson product all the help he can get in his rookie year. There is a fantastic amount of talent in this position group among 2021 free agents and Robinson might just be the pick of the bunch for New York.
If the Jets fail here in this chase for Robinson, there are still the options of Chris Godwin and Kenny Golladay, highlighting the talent of receivers in this class. Regardless, New York must come away with some help at the position.