All eyes are on the Jets’ quarterback situation as the NFL offseason begins, with Sam Darnold’s future with the franchise currently unknown, and dreams of a Deshaun Watson trade still very much in minds of Jets fans, despite recent reports that Watson may not be traded.
But New York, which had the worst scoring offense in the league this past season, could already be hunting for new weapons to complement whoever is under center next season.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, top wide receiver free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and Will Fuller V are on the Jets’ radar this offseason, and the team is “taking a look” at both options. Both Smith-Schuster and Fuller would represent major upgrades to the Jets offense, which was the second-worst team in the league last year in total passing yards, and dead last in total offensive yards.
Fowler lists the Jets as the best potential fit for Smith-Schuster, who is coming off a 2020 season where he appeared in all 16 games and caught a career-high nine touchdowns. He was a Pro-Bowl selection in 2018 when he posted 1,426 receiving yards.
Smith-Schuster recently turned 24 years old and is coming off a four-year deal with the Steelers.
Fuller, ranked by Fowler as the 30th best free agent available this offseason, has missed at least five games in each of the past four seasons, but has shown playmaking potential when healthy and on the field. The Notre Dame product made 11 starts this past season and caught a career-high eight touchdowns, while also setting a career-best mark with 879 receiving yards. The 26-year-old is a former first round pick and was on the verge of putting together a full and healthy season, but missed the final five games when he was suspended by the league for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He will miss the first game of next season.
The Jets may have their eye on Fuller, but Fowler lists the division rival Patriots as the best landing spot, while also including another rival in the Dolphins as a potential fit.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch