Three free agents Jets need to avoid as NFL Draft approaches

The Jets have an established star at the running back position, and if last year proved anything it is that Breece Hall is not only as close to a bell-cow back in this league as there is, but he is also a dual-threat both rushing and receiving. That being said, if the Jets want to go deep in the playoffs, it will take a good defense (check), a smart quarterback (check) and fresh legs.

The Jets need to add a running back to their roster. After Breece, the next running back on the depth chart is second-year man Izzy Abanikanda who is more of a home run threat than a complimentary back.

The Jets tried to solve that problem last year by bringing in Dalvin Cook, but that turned out to be nothing but a disaster. They need to avoid the same mistake this year.

Elliott is living off his former draft status as well as the few seasons he spent behind a dominant Dallas Cowboys offensive line. He likely still views himself as a work horse back, but it appears nobody else in the league shares that mind set. His limited production along with his off the field issues should keep Joe Douglas well away from the soon to be 29-year-old.

2024 is not a deep draft for the running back position, so the Jets will likely have to look to the free agent pool to sign a compliment to Breece Hall, but that doesn’t mean they need to focus on the most recognizable name on the list. 

I wrote last off season that the New York Jets needed to avoid Odell Beckham, and although it looked like they were going to sign him, the Baltimore Ravens did the Jets a favor and gave him a stupid amount of money for 35 receptions, 565 yards and three TDs.

Quite simply, Odell is more of a name than he is a talent at this point in his career. His spectacular catches of the past are more flash than they are reliability. He’s a headline with no substance.

The Jets already added Mike Williams this off season via free agency, and I imagine they will add another pass catcher at some point during the NFL Draft. While it isn’t the best group of pass catchers in the league, it is certainly good enough to contend as it stands with some players that have high ceilings if properly developed.

Adding Odell Beckham does nothing more than add a player who thinks they are better than they are at this point.

Just. No.

I wrote after Adams was released by the Seattle Seahawks that the Jets needed to avoid a reunion with boisterous safety and I stand by it today, despite is overtures towards returning to New York.

Things could not have gone better for the Jets and worse for Adams since Joe Douglas fleeced the Seattle Seahawks for two first round picks in exchange for Adams. Douglas turned those picks into Alijah Vera-Tucker and Garrett Wilson. Adams turned his new deal into a cautionary tale for GMs.

Adams hailed himself as a winner and a leader and showed himself to be anything but. He is a liability in coverage and frankly a petulant child when things don’t go his way. The Jets don’t need the headache that comes with a player who acts like a diva and plays like a scrub. Adams is nothing more than a box safety who can’t stay on the field.

There’s a reason you don’t burn bridges when you end professional relationships. Adams is a prime example.

With very little cap space left after a fantastic start to free agency, Joe Douglas and co. need to be very economical with the players they chase in the next wave of free agency.  They can't sacrifice production value for name recognition.  As long as they are smart with their remaining money, they should be able to build some decent depth along the roster.