Golden Tate rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 06: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate (19) catches a pass for a touchdown in the 4th quarter during an NFL NFC Wild Card football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears on January 06, 2019, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in action against the Green Bay Packers on December 23, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 44-38 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. New York Jets

The Jets, like Indianapolis, have a sizable war chest of salary cap space to improve their roster. One of the biggest areas of need is to find dependable weapons so that quarterback Sam Darnold can take the next step in his development.

Darnold did fine work at the end of the year with Robby Anderson and had an early connection with Quincy Enunwa, but the two of them aren’t enough to run an offense. While the Jets will be heavily linked to Antonio Brown in trade rumors, they will likely balk if Pittsburgh asks for their first round pick (currently no. 3) in return.

The Jets could use an upgrade over Jermaine Kearse, and his former teammate could certainly provide that for Gang Green. Tate would take over as the Jets’ primary slot receiver, giving Darnold a safety valve on third downs and freeing up Adam Gase to come up with creative ways to deploy Enunwa, who has the ability to play all three receiver positions.

Tate would also be an affordable option for the Jets if they decide to splurge on Le’Veon Bell in free agency, buying them time to draft and develop young receivers who can grow with Darnold.

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