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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has promised to be "very active" in free agency in March, and he'll be armed with more than $100 million in salary cap space to do it. He can plug a lot of holes in his lineup with that kind of money.
And the Jets certainly have a lot of holes to plug.
It's a good bet they will be looking for weapons in March to put around Sam Darnold, like top-of-the-market receivers and perhaps a running back, too. They'll need offensive linemen to help protect their most valuable asset. And they are still in desperate need of a pass rusher.
So what can they buy with all that money in March? Here's a look at some of the top players expected to be on the market:
RB Le'Veon Bell
He is perhaps the biggest fish in the free-agent pool, having topped 1,200 rushing and 600 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons that he played at least 12 games. He'll only be 27 in February, and since he's still holding out, his body is getting a chance to heal.
It's hard to imagine the Steelers will want him back next season after the bitterness between the two sides this year. The Jets should throw Todd Gurley-like money at him (four years, $57.6 million with $45 million in guarantees), although they'll almost certainly have to do better than that.
DE Demarcus Lawrence
He might be the most expensive free agent on the market, given that he's playing this year on a $17.1 million franchise tag. Two years ago, the Cardinals gave Chandler Jones a five-year, $82.5 million contract with $53 million guaranteed, and that just might be the starting point given how rare it is for double-digit sack guys to hit free agency.
DE Dante Fowler
The Jets showed interest in Fowler last offseason and again at the trading deadline, so it would be a surprise if they didn't show some interest in the 24-year-old edge rusher in March.
Overpaying for him is risky, though, given his past legal troubles, his summer fight with a teammate and the fact that he's done nothing this season. The third-overall pick in the 2015 draft has been a disappointment, but his young and could have a tremendous upside.
RB Tevin Coleman
If the Jets can't land Bell, Coleman could be Bell-light - an effective runner and receiver who will be 26 in April and has been mostly a part-time player, meaning he really isn't beaten up at all.
DE Ezekiel Ansah
He's coming off a 12 ½-sack season, but he'll be 30 in May and has missed most of this season with a shoulder injury. The good news is all that might make him available on a cheaper, prove-it deal.
LB Jadeveon Clowney
The former No. 1 overall pick never quite lived up to the hype in the shadow of J.J. Watt in Houston, but he's generally effective when he's healthy. He could be a good, less-expensive option who might just be finding his stride.
WR Devin Funchess
He's 6-foot-6, 225 pounds and will turn 25 in May, which might make him the star of this class. He's on pace for about 75 catches and 900 yards this season, but maybe that's only the start for him.
WR Randall Cobb
He's been a solid receiver for the Packers who can be spectacular at times, though he's rarely been the No. 1 guy there. He had only one real big season in 2014 - 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns - but he's still only 28 and the receiver market will be pretty bare.
WR Golden Tate
He's been incredibly productive for the Lions (before he was traded to the Eagles), and can be a dynamic slot receiver. The only downside is he's 31. He's worth it on a short-term deal.
WR Kelvin Benjamin
He's only 27, but he just hasn't been the same since missing all of 2015 with a torn ACL. His size (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) is tantalizing, but he's probably more of a No. 2 receiver. He could help, but shouldn't be the main guy.
RB Mark Ingram
He's coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but he's playing second fiddle to Alvin Kamara in New Orleans, and he hasn't done much since serving a four-game suspension to start the season. He's also going to be 29 in December, and has a lot of yards on his 5-foot-9 body.
G Roger Saffold
He'll be 31 in June, but he just might be the best option on a ridiculously thin crop of free-agent offensive linemen. There won't be any tackles worth overspending on, and it doesn't appear there will be many centers. If teams have good offensive linemen, they keep them.