New York Jets free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

1. G Brandon Scherff

The Jets’ weakest link in 2019 was its offensive line, so it should come as no shock that another offensive lineman is here at the top of their free agent wish list. The unit could use help pretty much everywhere, and the best way to do that is add elite talent.

Joe Douglas knows the Jets need offensive line help and tried to address the position when he first arrived, coaxing Ryan Kalil out of retirement and trading for Alex Lewis. With a full offseason ahead of him, expect Douglas to use a ton of his free agent and draft capital to fortify his line.

The top lineman in the free agent class is Redskins’ guard Brandon Scherff, who is a truly elite player. Scherff has been an anchor on Washington’s offensive line for the past five years, going to three Pro Bowls in that span.

The one reason that Scherff might escape without getting a franchise tag is the fact that he is a bit injury prone. Scherff hasn’t played a full season since 2016, missing 15 games over the past three years, including five this season.

That is a huge risk to take when handing out a big money contract for an offensive lineman, but Scherff is still young enough that he can be an anchor of the unit for another seven years. Douglas will likely come out of free agency with multiple offensive linemen, but if he can secure Scherff’s services the Jets will be significantly better in 2020.