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New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Houston Texans.
The New York Jets aren’t done adding weapons for new QB1 Geno Smith this offseason.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini provided an update on the team’s search for another wide receiver.
“The Jets will add two receivers before this offseason is over,” Cimini emphatically said on ESPN.com.
“The Jets hit most of their short-term needs in the first wave of free agency, with one notable exception, wide receiver. They have Garrett Wilson and a lot of question marks, which makes this a primary need in next month’s draft. With the 16th pick, they could have a shot at Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon. Also, look for them to add a veteran to the mix. Look at the trade market. Darren Mougey loves to make trades. Especially keep an eye on those [Jacksonville] Jaguars, where Brian Thomas Jr could be on the trading block. Also, the [Denver] Broncos, after acquiring Jaylen Waddle in a big trade, perhaps a player there [is] expendable. Maybe a Marvin Mims Jr or a Troy Franklin,” Cimini said.
Jets Should Get This Done Sooner Rather Than Later
Everyone and their mother knows the Jets desperately need a wide receiver this offseason.
That isn’t a good place to be. Especially if that remains the case when the 2026 NFL draft arrives.
If everyone knows what the Jets plan on doing, then other teams can act accordingly.
Jets analyst Joe Caporoso said he’d be “stunned” if the team took a wide receiver with the No. 2 overall pick. However, he said on social media that it is a “safe bet” that the Jets take a WR with the No. 16 overall pick.
However, there are plenty of teams that could trade ahead of the Jets to snipe a receiver they may also be looking at.
It behooves the team to solve this WR riddle before the draft arrives. A late free agency add or trade would do the trick. Then the Jets can enter the draft with the ultimate flexibility.
Instead of forcing a need at a certain selection, they can let the draft fall to them. If a WR is the best player at pick No. 16 overall, so be it, pull the trigger, but don’t force it.
There will be a lot more pressure to force it if the current receiver group doesn’t change over the next five weeks.
Broncos or Jags Could Be Great Trade Partners for the Jets
Denver is overflowing with wide receivers after trading for Waddle.
NFL Insider Matt Lombardo told me on “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital” to watch out for Pat Bryant and Mims as potential trade options for the Jets from Denver.
Cimini also name-dropped Troy Franklin as another possibility.
Franklin, 23, entered the league as the No. 102 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
He has appeared in 33 games and has made 13 starts. With those opportunities, Franklin has collected 157 targets with 93 receptions for 972 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
The biggest name is Brian Thomas Jr. He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2024, but fell off in 2025. There are conflicting reports on social media about his potential availability via trade.
He would provide the highest upside of any of the names that have been mentioned for the green and white.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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