Jets Country

Jets Not Listed As 'Best Fit' For $37 Million Star Free Agent

The Jets may need to address wide receiver in the NFL Draft.
Zach Pressnell|
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) goes up for the touchdown pass before falling on his back during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024. Reaching in unsuccessfully is New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26).
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) goes up for the touchdown pass before falling on his back during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024. Reaching in unsuccessfully is New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26). | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

New York JetsBuffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & Standings

The New York Jets need to add a wide receiver to their offense or else Justin Fields could struggle mightily.

New York cut Davante Adams and many speculate it'll cut Allen Lazard as well. But the Jets haven't added a star wide receiver opposite of Garrett Wilson yet, despite the fact that many NFL writers are connecting New York to potential options.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently left the Jets out of the list of best fits for Buffalo Bills free agent wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper is projected to sign a two-year deal worth $37 million in free agency, per Spotrac.

"Amari Cooper will turn 31 in June and had a very disappointing season with the Browns and Bills in 2024," Knox wrote. "He appeared in 14 combined games for the two clubs but finished with only 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. It would appear that Cooper is no longer the regular 1,000-yard receiver that he once was.

Yet, the five-time Pro Bowler is still an elite route-runner with reliable hands and enough savvy to create separation. He also dealt with an awful quarterback situation in Cleveland last year and landed with Buffalo mid-season. In 2023, Cooper amassed 1,250 receiving yards while having an aging Joe Flacco as his best signal-caller. He may never replicate those numbers again, but he can add a dependable veteran presence to a receiver room."

If the Jets whiff on all the free agent wide outs, they'll need to pivot to the NFL Draft to find one. This could include potentially using the No. 7 pick in the first round on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities for the Jets to select two pass catchers in the draft, especially if they miss out on Cooper, too.

More NFL: Jets $7.5 Million Star Predicted To Betray New York, Sign With AFC Powerhouse

Published
Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "New York Jets On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

Home/News