New York Jets free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

3. Jets free agent targets: OG Joe Thuney

Douglas has made it clear that one of his top priorities as the Jets’ GM is to rebuild the team’s offensive line. The unit decayed to a disastrous state in 2019 as a result of years of neglect, leaving Douglas to begin the overhaul by signing a litany of free agents and drafting left tackle Mekhi Becton in the first round.

The unit was better but could use some upgrades on the interior, where Alex Lewis, Greg Van Roten and waiver claim Pat Elflein left plenty to be desired. The biggest upgrade on the free agent market would be Thuney, who New England surprisingly used the franchise tag on a year ago.

The move certainly took the Jets by surprise, who were reportedly planning to offer Thuney a huge deal in free agency before the Patriots tagged him. Assuming New England doesn’t tag him for a second time Thuney should be free to take the Jets’ millions to help add another huge building block to the offensive line.

Douglas has acknowledged that it will be a multi-year project to rebuild the Jets’ offensive line, with Becton and center Connor McGovern being the first building blocks. Adding Thuney to the interior would fill another major hole for the long term.