Five WRs Jets should target with star wideouts now off the market

The New York Jets' long-shot dreams of landing Davante Adams or Mike Evans can finally be put to rest.

Gang Green had been linked to the star wide receivers on multiple occasions during the 2023 season. According to the New York Post's Brian Costello, Jets GM Joe Douglas even inquired about their availability before the NFL trade deadline. 

In the end, however, both wideouts appear to be staying put with their current teams. The Buccaneers agreed to terms with Evans to a two-year, $52 million contract on Monday. The Raiders shot down any rumors of trading Adams this offseason, with GM Tom Telesco announcing at the scouting combine last week, "He's a Raider."

The Jets will now turn elsewhere to find a serviceable WR2 who can complement star wideout Garrett Wilson, the 23-year-old who led the Jets with 1,042 receiving yards last season. (The next-closest wide receiver had only 311.) 

Here's a look at five players the Jets can target in free agency.

Calvin Ridley

With Evans off the market, Cincinnati's Tee Higgins franchise-tagged and Indianapolis' Michael Pittman Jr. also expected to get tagged, Ridley becomes the top free agent WR available. 

In his first season with the Jaguars, Ridley led the team in receiving yards (1,016) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Jacksonville has expressed interest in retaining the 29-year-old, but it would be forced to surrender a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons should the Jags re-sign him (the selection is currently only a conditional third-rounder).

Acquiring Ridley won't be cheap, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler anticipating he will "put up a rather gaudy number on a per-year average." But entering a must-win season, the Jets may feel obliged to pay the exorbitant cost.

Marquise Brown

Brown still has plenty left in the tank at just 26. He battled through quarterback turmoil throughout the 2023 campaign in Arizona, finishing with 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns.

The speedster hasn't developed into a WR1 as the Ravens hoped he'd become when they drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Brown is, however, a strong WR2 and dangerous deep threat who could draw attention away from Wilson.   

Gabe Davis

Though Davis didn't take the leap into star status that many had expected from him in 2023 with Buffalo, he still put up strong numbers. The 24-year-old finished second in receiving yards (746) and touchdowns (seven) on the Bills' high-powered offense.

Davis issued a heartfelt goodbye to "Bills Mafia" on social media, seemingly dispelling any thought of a return to Buffalo. With lots of experience playing in the AFC East and playoffs, he'd be a strong fit for the Jets.

Odell Beckham Jr.

A union between Beckham (35 catches, 565 yards in 2023) and the Jets almost came to fruition last offseason, but the Ravens swooped in with a better offer. 

Now back on the free-agent market, Beckham could be interested in a return to the Big Apple, where he spent five years with the Giants. The 31-year-old also has a good relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who reportedly put the wideout on his free agent "wish list" last season.  

Tyler Boyd

Despite spending much of his career behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the Bengals' pecking order, Boyd has cemented himself as one of the league's best slot receivers and run blockers.

The eight-year veteran has shown flashes (67 catches, 677 yards in 2023) to suggest he could assume a WR2 position after being a WR3 the last couple of seasons. He'd also likely cost far less than the aforementioned wideouts on this list.