Jets Exploring High-End Cornerback Market & Could Make A “Quick Splash” In Free Agency

Rich Cimini of ESPN hears that the Jets are exploring the high-end cornerback back market and could make a “quick splash” in free agency.

According to Cimini, Darrelle Revis‘ recent legal issues shouldn’t have a big impact on the Jets’ free agent plans, as they’re still in need of a true No. 1 cornerback even if he returns for the 2017 season, which is considered doubtful at this point in time.

Cimini lists A.J. Bouye, Stephon Gilmore, Trumaine Johnson and Logan Ryan as the top-four free agent cornerbacks. However, he believes signing any of these players could cost the Jets between $10 million to $14 million per year.

It’s worth mentioning that Mike Maccagnan was the Texans’ scouting director when they signed Bouye as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

As for Revis, there has been a lot of talk about his future with the Jets now that he’s coming off of a disappointing season and carries a high cap figure. However, his recent legal issues could lead to the guaranteed money in his contract voiding, which would make it even easier for the Jets to move on from him.

Revis stands to make $15 million in 2017, which includes a $2 million roster bonus on the second day of the league year, so the Jets would almost certainly make a decision on his future by then.

Revis, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2007. He’s entering the third year of his five-year, $70 million contract that includes $39 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $17 million (2016), $13 million (2017), and $10 million (2018-2019) over the remainder of the contract.

According to OverTheCap.com, Revis still has $6 million of his 2017 salary guaranteed, which means releasing would free up $7,333,333 in available cap space while creating $8 million in dead money. However, those figures could improve to $9 million in available cap space while creating $6,333,333 in dead money if he was designated as a post-June 1 release.

In 2016, Revis appeared in 15 games for the Jets and recorded 53 tackles, one interception and five pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 66 cornerback out of 112 qualifying players.

We have all four of the cornerbacks listed above featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.