Rich Cimini says the Jets have a pair of AFC West receivers on their radar.
Although he's not officially on the trading block, the biggest name on the Jets' radar is the Broncos' Brandon Marshall, who has issued a pay me-or-trade me demand.
The Broncos reportedly have no interest in trading Marshall, 25, one of the top young receivers in the league, but they also said the same thing about quarterback Jay Cutler - and now he's playing for the Bears.
Because of off-the-field issues, a surgically repaired hip and enormous contract demands (he's entering the final year), Marshall would be a risk for any team. But there's no denying his talent: 206 catches and 2,590 yards over the last two seasons. At 6-4, he'd be a much-needed target in the red zone for the Jets. While they consider Marshall a long shot, they're not about to summarily dismiss it.
The hip isn't that much of a concern. You'd have to imagine a full medical evaluation would be a precondition for any trade and potential contract extension. There are other worries, though. He's been arrested four times since coming to the NFL four years ago. New York's the kind of place it's easy to find trouble if you look for it.
The price tag is also going to be astronomical. Josh McDaniels seems like he wants to purge his roster of talented players, but I don't forsee a Belichick disciple like him giving the Jets a discount on a trade package. (Unlike Eric Mangini, McDaniels probably isn't obsessed with collecting average former Jets.) A lot of talent and definitely fills a need but there's a reason he's available. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I think I'm for exploring this, but I have reservations about how a bad apple like Marshall can affect a team trying to establish a winning culture.
Another name to watch is the Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe, a former first-round pick. He caught 86 balls for 1,022yards on an awful team last season, but he's had a difficult transition under new coach Todd Haley. He may have played his way out of the doghouse with five catches in the preseason opener, but the Chiefs are rebuilding and will move a player if he doesn't fit their long-term plans.
I'd love Bowe, but I doubt he becomes available. Why would a 24 year old with 156 catches and 2,017 yards in two seasons not fit into the long term plans of a team installing a receiver oriented offense?