Jets linked to pair of ex-Cardinals free agent WRs as bargain-bin options
· Yahoo Sports
Jets linked to pair of ex-Cardinals free agent WRs as bargain-bin options originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit chinesewhispers.club for more information.
The New York Jets have added a ton of help to the defensive side of the ball through the first week of free agency, but they now need to focus on offense.
With Dylan Parham rounding out the offensive line at left guard, and Geno Smith taking over as the starting quarterback, there is one position the Jets need to address: wide receiver.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, amid a likely plan to target a WR in the 2026 NFL Draft, linked the Jets to two free agent wide receivers, both formerly with the Arizona Cardinals, as possible bargain-bin options to fill their WR need this offseason.
Jets linked to ex-Cardinals WRs to fill biggest need
"They will wait to see if anyone interesting falls through the cracks at minimal cost," Rosenblatt writes, "someone of the Darnell Mooney, Christian Kirk, or Marquise Brown ilk would be interesting - but more likely they'll try to find someone in the NFL Draft."
Of the three options Rosenblatt listed, Darnell Mooney has already signed, joining the New York Giants on a one-year, $10 million deal.
But adding one of Marquise Brown or Christian Kirk would make a ton of sense for the Jets this offseason. And if they're cheaper bargain-bin free agent additions, it makes even more sense.
Kirk is 29 years old and coming off a lackluster season for the Houston Texans across 13 games as a backup receiver. He caught 28 passes on 58 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown. It was the worst year of his eight-year NFL career.
Brown, on the other hand, caught 49 passes on 74 targets for 597 yards and five touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. It wasn't a bad season, as the 28-year-old veteran was a solid contributor for the Chiefs despite their shaky offense.
More: Jets get bad news as Jaguars don’t look poised to trade Brian Thomas Jr. despite trade rumors
Of these two free-agent wide receivers, Kirk is the far more realistic one for the Jets. He's coming off the worst year of his NFL career and should be very affordable to sign for the Jets.
And with wide receivers like Jauan Jennings, Tyreek Hill, and Stefon Diggs still available, Kirk will be overlooked by most teams in free agency.
Brown might draw more interest as his 2025 wasn't terrible, but even he could get lackluster offers and become a realistic target for the Jets.
Rosenblatt makes it well-known that the Jets are not going to overspend at the WR position in free agency. But if a receiver's market dips, and they become a bargain, the Jets will be a very likely option.
While there are plenty of interesting free agents out there still, Brown and Kirk are the two the Jets are linked to by Rosenblatt that are worth keeping an eye on.
More Jets news:
- Breece Hall breaks silence on franchise tag
- Aaron Glenn predicted to add three QBs to NFL roster this offseason
- Jets deny Aaron Glenn was asleep at NFL Combine
- Geno Smith returning to Jets is ‘full circle’ moment for veteran QB
- Nahshon Wright agrees to $5.5 million deal with Jets in steal by Darren Mougey
- Jets traded for Geno Smith instead of signing him in free agency to avoid worst-case-scenario
- Jets predicted to draft David Bailey No. 2 overall after offseason spending