Jets Offseason Road Map: Three players to avoid in free agency

The Jet took a swing on Allen Lazard last off season to the tune of a four-year $44 million contract and to this point it has been a complete whiff. Lazard was a healthy scratch for numerous games and was barely a factor when he did play. He had five drops and more penalties than touchdowns.

All that is to say the Jets will find themselves in the wide receiver market this offseason to look for a viable number two receiver opposite Garrett Wilson. One name they should cross off their list immediately is Odell Beckham Jr.

OBJ and the Jets flirted last year during the off-season and New York was close to offering him a contract before Baltimore swooped in and gave Odell a whopping $15 million deal. For that $15 million Baltimore got less than 600 yards in 14 games and only three touchdowns. Beckham only played about 43% of the offensive snaps.

Beckham is the rare combination of expensive, name recognition, and total lack of production. Any team to pay him now is still paying for that catch on Sunday Night Football almost a decade ago when he was still with the New York Giants.

Beckham isn’t the number two receiver the Jets are in the market for. He clearly doesn’t understand his current abilities or value to a team and the Jets should not pay for him based on how he views himself as opposed to what he actually is. In other words, let someone else pay him top dollar for minimal production.

2. Trent Brown, OL

It will come to a shock to absolutely nobody that the Jets will be in the market for offensive line help. New York might wind up new starters at both tackle positions as well as one of the guard positions by the time training camp comes around. Mekhi Becton, Billy Turner and Duane Brown are all free agents and frankly the Jets should let all three walk.

So, with that mind, it would behoove the Jets to check in on anyone they deem an upgrade over what they had last year, which considering how poorly the offensive line played, will be a lot of players. Trent Brown is one the Jets should steer clear of.

Brown is coming from the New England Patriots where offensive lineman always play better than when they go anywhere else. Brown is a good player who will be looking to be paid like a great one. He pouted his way off of the Raiders and reports are Bill Belichick thought of him as “me first” kind of guy.

Almost all of that can be overlooked by a desperate team like the Jets but there’s one thing New York can’t overlook – his injury history. Brown has played one full season since 2018. The Jets must be careful not to repeat the mistakes that forced them to play 13 different offensive line combinations last year.

3. Gabe Davis, WR

I stated before why the Jets will be in the market for a number two receiver this offseason and what better way to get one than to poach it from your divisional rival, right? Wrong.

Gabe Davis is not a number two receiver. He is epitome of boom or bust. He is a deep threat and nothing more. He can have 100 yards on six catches like he did in week five against Jacksonville and then have 27 yards total the next two weeks combined.

With an Aaron Rodgers lead offense, the thing the Jets should covet is route running and consistency. Gabe Davis is anything but consistent.

His projected market value according to spotrac.com is listed at $13.5 million average annual salary. The Jets don’t need to pay that for a one trick pony.

Be sure to check back in for more on the Jets offseason in the coming days and weeks.