Top FA Target For Giants, Jets, And Bills
The franchise tag normally takes a little bit of fun away from NFL free agency. However, we do have a number of players on the market this year that teams like the Giants, Jets, and Bills should show a ton of interest in. We went through all the free agents and gave you the top target for each team.
Giants: DE Malik Jackson
The New York Giants are in desperate need of pass rushers if they wish to return to the playoffs. With Olivier Vernon being franchised by the Miami Dolphins, Jackson is now the top pass rusher and quite possibly the top free agent on the market. Given that the Giants play a 4-3 defense, he most likely wouldn't be an edge pass rusher like he was in Denver.
Signing Jackson would immediately upgrade the Giants pass rush. Combine Jackson with a rookie like Noah Spence or possibly even a relatively cheap Jason Pierre-Paul and the Giants have themselves a pass rush again. Jackson's signing would eventually lead to the Giants going after a cover linebacker as well; possibly Jackson's teammate Danny Trevathan.
Notable targets: LB Danny Trevathan, CB Janoris Jenkins, and CB Sean Smith.
Jets: RB Lamar Miller
The New York Jets need a young explosive running back to compliment their elite passing game. Miller fits that need better than any back on the market. Unlike Doug Martin who is also a free agent, Miller is a more healthier option who has break away speed and can also add to the passing game by catching the ball out of the backfield.
Miller would provide the Jets with another big play threat alongside Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. By signing the free agent back, the Jets would also be hurting the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are in a tight cap situation and the loss of Miller could be devastating to their offense next season.
Notable targets: RB Doug Martin, DT Haloti Ngata, and RB James Starks.
Bills: NT Damon Harrison
Buffalo needs to replace Mario Williams and get that defense back to what they were expected to be. Harrison emerged as one of the Jets key cogs on defense last season. His ability to stop the run fits well in Rex Ryan's system. Given that he is also 6'4" and 350 pounds, he'll be a handful in a division that lacks offensive line strength.
Just like the possibility of Lamar Miller to the Jets, this move would impact the Jets greatly. The Jets defense thrives on having that defensive line depth that allows them to keep players fresh throughout a game.
Notable targets: G Evan Mathis, G Richie Incognito, and DE Greg Hardy.