Memo to the national media: Not every free agent with a recognizable name is a fit for the New York Jets.

It seems the cap-space-laden Jets are being linked to every notable free agent. That’s not how free agency works, though.

The Jets need to be wise with their cap space. Just because they have spending power, it does not mean they should hold each dollar any less preciously than a team with minimal cap space.

We already debunked FOX Sports’ claim that the Jets should dole out $16 million per year to Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. Now, it’s time to squash another silly connection between the Jets and a free agent cornerback.

Riq Woolen to the Jets makes little sense

ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently named the Jets as the “best team fit” for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.

“The Jets allowed 57 completions of 20 or more yards in 2025, seventh most in the league. Adding Woolen, a 6-foot-5 corner with high-end physical tools and speed, fits under coach Aaron Glenn’s defense,” writes Bowen. “This unit wants to play man coverage, and Woolen has 12 interceptions and 36 pass breakups in his four-year career in Seattle. I also like the Commanders as a fit.”

While projecting Woolen as an ideal fit for Aaron Glenn’s man-heavy defense may make sense in theory, the evidence at our disposal suggests otherwise.

Woolen hails from one of the NFL’s zone-heaviest defenses in Seattle. Under head coach Mike Macdonald in 2025, the Seahawks ranked third in the NFL with an 80.4% zone coverage rate, per Sharp Football Analysis.

New York was on the opposite end of the spectrum, placing 31st with a 62.5% zone coverage rate. That rate should be expected to drop even further in 2026. The Jets parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who prefers zone coverage, and they are expected to hand the defensive reins to Glenn, who used zone just 52.3% of the time in 2024 as the Lions’ DC.

While it seems plausible to project that Woolen’s lengthy frame might project well into a man-heavy scheme, the reality is that Woolen has not been productive on his rare man coverage reps in Seattle. There is a reason Macdonald has valued Woolen as a starter in his defense: he is at his best in zone.

According to Pro Football Focus, over the last two seasons, Woolen posted a mediocre 59.7 coverage grade in man, compared to a solid 67.3 coverage grade in zone. For perspective, those numbers represent the difference between the 33rd and 57th-best cornerbacks in 2025 (out of 85 qualifiers).

The main difference in Woolen’s performance based on the coverage call is his playmaking. His overall coverage output is similar between both styles, but there is a drastic change in the peaks and valleys.

Since 2024, Woolen has allowed a similar rate of yards per completion between man (10.2) and zone (10.7). However, he’s given up a 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in man, compared to 0-to-3 in zone.

The Jets’ defense allowed a 36-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2025. They desperately need defenders who can both generate interceptions and protect the end zone in a scheme that will consistently ask them to hold up on an island. Woolen has struggled in both areas as a man coverage defender.

It is also worth noting that Glenn prefers physical cornerbacks who can help support the run defense, as evidenced by the Lions’ draft selections of players like Terrion Arnold and Brian Branch during Glenn’s tenure. Woolen does not fit this bill. For his career, Woolen has an abysmal missed tackle rate of 19%, including a horrific 28.4% in the run game.

Granted, he performed better over the last two seasons, missing just 7.4% of his tackle opportunities in the run game. However, Macdonald’s scheme did a good job of hiding him in that phase.

Since Macdonald took over in 2024, Woolen has made a measly 23 tackles in the run game, just 0.7 per game across 31 appearances. Compare that to the Jets’ top starting corner in 2025, Brandon Stephens, who made 29 run-game tackles in 16 games (1.8 per game) and missed just three tackles (9.4% miss rate).

Woolen does not excel in man coverage and cannot be trusted to support the run defense. Pursuing him would make little sense for the Jets given the requirements of their defensive scheme.

Here are two free agent corners who make more sense.

Ideal alternatives

These free agent cornerbacks provide the man coverage production and reliable run support that Glenn covets at the position.

Jaylen Watson, Chiefs

A 2022 seventh-round pick of the Chiefs, Jaylen Watson served as a backup over his first two seasons, stepping up for eight regular season starts and all three playoff starts in Kansas City’s 2022 championship run (making two interceptions). He was elevated to a full-time starting role on the outside in 2024.

Textbook stuff here from Jaylen Watson. Runs vertically with the receiver, squeezes him to the sideline, and most importantly, turns his head to locate the ball.

Pick 243 is a stud. pic.twitter.com/8ciXb0FWqL

— Zack Eisen (@zackeisen21) September 16, 2022

Since taking over, Watson has asserted himself as a stingy man-to-man defender and physical run defender. Across 24 regular season and playoff games since 2024, Watson has accumulated a 71.4 man coverage grade from PFF, along with a 75.7 run defense grade.

In man coverage, Watson has allowed 16-of-35 passing for 258 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception over the last two seasons. That equates to a 59.0 passer rating.

Watson has an excellent 10% missed tackle rate in his career, including an outstanding 5.8% in 2025, which placed eighth-best among 85 qualified corners. He was a standout in the run game, posting 25 total tackles, one missed tackle (3.8% miss rate), and an 83.5 run defense grade (6th among CB).

At 27 years old with ample starting experience for a perennial Super Bowl contender, Watson is due to receive a lucrative contract this offseason. It remains to be seen whether the Jets want to dole out a hefty investment at the cornerback position, given their 2025 signing of Brandon Stephens ($12 million per year) and the third-round selection of Azareye’h Thomas.

If they are looking to pursue a big-ticket cornerback, though, Watson’s profile suggests he has a good chance of giving them a strong return on their investment—much better than players like Riq Woolen and Nahshon Wright.

James Pierre, Steelers

Should the Jets be looking for a cheaper option to add competition and depth at cornerback, James Pierre is a sneaky good choice.

Playing all six of his NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, Pierre has spent most of his career as a special teamer. In 2025, though, he played a career-high 38% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps and flashed some intriguing ability with the newfound opportunity.

Pierre’s 79.6 man coverage grade from PFF was the best in the NFL among qualified corners. In man, Pierre allowed 3-of-9 passing for 23 yards and no touchdowns, recording more pass breakups (4) than allowed receptions.

He is also an above-average tackler, owning a career missed tackle rate of 9.5%. For reference, this would have ranked 19th-best out of 85 qualified corners in 2025.

As a career backup and special teamer who will be 30 years old this season, Pierre should not be expected to maintain top-end production as a starting corner. However, his impressive man coverage in 2025, coupled with his career track record for reliable tackling, makes him a sound fit for the Jets’ defense.

In a scheme that emphasizes his strengths, he could provide excellent value on the dollar as a stopgap corner for a cheap price.