The New York Jets have one of the brightest young stars in the NFL at wide receiver in Garrett Wilson. Despite being plagued by subpar and inconsistent quarterback play his entire NFL career, Wilson has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his three NFL seasons.
Entering 2025, the Jets, like most of Wilson's career, don't have a clear No. 2 on the roster. New York is hopeful that they have found a solution to their quarterback inconsistencies, signing Wilson's college teammate Justin Fields to a two-year deal.
But outside of Wilson, the rest of the receiver depth chart is a mixup of veterans Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds, and Tyler Johnson, as well as rookie Arian Smith. and second year Malachi Corley
Pro Football Sports Network Brandon put together a list of one free agent each NFL team should target, and for the Jets, his pick is former Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper.
"Amari Cooper is not nearly the player he once was, but he could still be an upgrade for the Jets." Austin noted. "He does turn 31 before the season starts and will need to prove he still has enough left in the tank to have a feature role in an offense. Cooper has had a strong NFL career, recording more than 10,000 receiving yards. He’s long been viewed as a reliable go-to option, but things never materialized for him in Buffalo."
Cooper has made four Pro Bowls in his 10 NFL seasons, most recently in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns, where he turned in a 1,250 yard, five touchdown season. Cooper made Pro Bowls on three of the four NFL teams he's played on, the lone exception being a Jets' AFC East rival in the Buffalo Bills, who Cooper played eight games for lost season.
"Cooper’s size, experience, and route-running ability should still attract a Jets offense that finished 20th in EPA per dropback and 21st in pass success rate," Austin wrote. "His ceiling isn’t what it used to be, but with Wilson leading the pack and a talented backfield that features Breece Hall, New York won’t need Cooper to be the top option."