Corey Davis’ abrupt retirement Wednesday afternoon may not have surprised the New York Jets as an organization, but it leaves them in an interesting position.
Once the retirement becomes official, the Jets will have an additional $10.5 million in cap space, $20 million in total. That gives them plenty of room to try and add a replacement to Davis’ style of play. It may not seem like replacing a receiver that was going to be the fourth option may not be a major concern, but Davis was a key member of the locker room. His loss will be felt in ways many might not expect.
Luckily for the Jets, there are plenty of options to consider to replace their receiver. Let’s go through the five best here.
1. Trade for Davante Adams
The obvious answer is the most expensive. The Jets could pair Adams with Aaron Rodgers once again and solidify their receiving core with Garrett Wilson. By doing so though, they’ll have to give up what little assets they have left in draft capital, as well as make room for Adams’ $14 million cap hit this year (and $25 million next year!). This is New York’s best option because it takes the pressure off of Lazard to be the number two receiver and will allow Wilson to continue his development behind a future Hall-of-Famer.
That being said, this trade is extremely unlikely at this point. Adams has a massive contract over the next few years and the Jets don’t have the draft capital to make a trade like this.
2. Sign Jarvis Landry
Instead of trading for a top wide receiver, why not just bring in an above-average one? Jarvis Landry may be 30 years old, but he has over 700 catches and 7,800 yards in nine NFL seasons. He can work both in the slot and outside and provide the Jets with another veteran presence for their receiving core. There are some injury concerns for the former Dolphin and Brown, but Gang Green would certainly be better with having a presence like him in the building.
3. Keep Jason Brownlee and Malik Taylor on the 53-man roster
Before Davis retired, it was hard to see how the Jets would keep five or six receivers on the 53-man roster. Now, it seems very likely that will end up being the case. New York has had great production from players like Jason Brownlee and Malik Taylor in practice but needs to see more in-game. If they both have strong final preseason games, the Jets could very well be comfortable running with both of them to start the season at the bottom of the roster role.
They aren’t household names, but Taylor and Brownlee could certainly be an option here.
4. Sign JJ Arcega-Whiteside or Greg Ward
Who?! Jokes aside, many fans may be concerned about the team’s ability to have quality receivers who can block in the run game now that Davis is gone. If run-blocking is the true concern (it should not be) then picking up JJ Arcega-Whiteside makes sense. JJAW was known as an excellent run blocker for the Philadelphia Eagles over the last few years even though he did little else.
If JJAW is too inefficient as a pass catcher to have a job just as a run-blocker, then Greg Ward, another Eagle, makes sense. Ward has been the odd man out in Philadelphia after the team brought in AJ Brown but is a very dependable target in the passing game. He has experience out wide and in the slot while being a very solid receiver.
5. Do Nothing
The Jets do not have to make a move at all either. With Wilson, Lazard, Hardman, and Cobb, the team has a solid quality of good receivers with a central star in the making. That’s more than what many teams are dealing with right now across the league.
Instead of signing an offensive player, the team can use the money to roll into next offseason to better prepare themselves for the 2024 season, or bring in a different player who could provide better depth at more important positions. It also allows the Jetsy to utilize the two-tight-end set more and allows their good tight-end room the chance to be on the field more.
There are plenty of options for the team to go in, but sometimes the best move for an organization is not making one at all.
BONUS: Jump on the Cardinals Fire-sale
Zach Pascal, Rondale Moore, and even “Hollywood” Brown should be considered for the Jets following the Arizona Cardinals’ very clear stance on rebuilding for the future. Arizona shipped off Isaiah Simmons to the Giants for a seventh-round pick so what is to stop them from giving away more assets?
Trading for a player like Pascal would make a lot of sense because he can be a quality fourth receiver while being an excellent run-blocker. Brown would be a perfect slot receiver and speed demon for Rodgers to use also.
New York doesn’t have to make a move but if a quality depth piece can be moved for little draft capital, why not add to your team?
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