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10 NFL teams who could change their fortunes via Free Agency

By Andrew Garda

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets coach Todd Bowles speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Jets

Overview: The Jets decided not to spend much in free agency last season which…didn’t work out so well for then-head coach Rex Ryan and former GM John Idzik. However, new GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles could reap the benefits of the previous regime’s mistakes.

With the salary cap rising to $143,280,000 million, they now have just over $50 million to play with.

Pros: There are some great free agents out there and that’s before the New England Patriots decide what to do with Darrelle Revis (whom the Jets clearly covet again), according to Daily News writer Manish Mehta. There’s Ndamukong Suh as well. But even beyond the high-profile guys like that, there are some tremendous players at positions of need.

Mike Iupati would shore up the guard position, while Byron Maxwell is an unsung hero from Seattle and Rahim Moore is a solid safety. Brian Orakpo would bring pressure from the outside linebacker position, something the Jets have lacked for a long time. They have the money, and there is plenty of talent out there if they spend it judiciously.

Cons: At the end of the day, Revis is probably going to stay in New England and Suh, while intriguing, fills in a position the Jets are deep at. Plus, if you pay Suh what he wants, you set yourself up for disaster when you go to pay Mo Wilkerson and eventually Sheldon Richardson. Also, all the money in the world can only fill in so many holes, and the Jets have a whole lot of holes.

Finally, the single biggest need cannot be addressed fully in free agency. You can add all the talent that you want, but the Jets will remain without a quarterback they can trust and that is a problem.

Next: Jacksonville Jaguars

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