The New York Jets followed quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ plan for building out the offense. An Achilles tear in Week 1 would be the only obstacle necessary to reveal how poor that blueprint was.
Receiver Allen Lazard entered the season as the second receiver on New York’s depth chart. He ended the season as a healthy scratch. Randall Cobb followed in his footsteps, sitting for six games and posting just 39 yards.
It’s no surprise the Jets are looking for weapons this offseason. That and the offensive line are far and away the two biggest priorities for the coming months. But with big-name receivers coming off the board and the possibility of a tackle being taken with their pick in the first round, they may have to reposition themselves.
One name that sticks out as a promising ancillary target is New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Before tearing his ACL around midseason, Bourne was tracking to have one of the better seasons of his seven-year career. He caught 37 of 55 targets for 406 yards and four scores, a bright spot on an offensive devoid of production. His 50.8 yards per game was the highest mark of his career.
Bourne is a pending free agent, and while New England seems interested in a reunion, the Jets could remain a factor in his offseason plans.
“According to one source familiar with the wide receiver market, if the Pats do not re-sign Bourne, history indicates they might lose him to a familiar foe,” reported Andrew Callahan. “The Jets were among the teams that showed interest in Bourne over the last 18 months, when a Patriots source said their front office received trade calls at the end of training camp in 2022 and 2023.”
New York’s interest wasn’t misguided. Bourne is a versatile receiver who can play both in the slot and as a Z-receiver, potentially freeing up star receiver Garrett Wilson for more favorable opportunities. He has experience in the type of gadget plays that Mecole Hardman was supposed to find touches on and even saw 12 carries for 125 yards in 2021.
Projected to earn a two-year deal with an average annual value of $7 million, Bourne wouldn’t squeeze the Jets cap space too much, allowing them to address additional needs in free agency.
They’ll certainly swing big, perhaps at Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley or Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith, but Bourne offers the same stability as his more expensive counterparts. Sure, there is some upside sacrificed, but this doesn’t have to be the only move New York makes for its receiving corps. And it’ll be Rodgers who the Jets lean on to raise the ceiling of the offense.
General manager Joe Douglas will have to get creative this offseason. Bourne may be less exciting than high-profile free agents, but as a competent secondary receiver with a veteran pedigree and the skill set to match, he’d be a good fit for Gang Green.
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