It is no secret the Jets' receiving corps is depleted, as it certainly showed during the team's loss to the Vikings last week.
Qunicy Enunwa, who has been Sam Darnold's favorite target through the first few weeks of the season, has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Now, Robby Anderson is banged up with his own ankle injury, and his status for Sunday's contest on the road against the Bears is up in the air.
With both these receivers out last week (Anderson was hurt mid-game), Jermaine Kearse was the only healthy starting receiver on the turf. That left Darnold having to throw to players like Charone Peake and Andre Roberts, who weren't getting the job done.
The Jets know they needed to add more depth, which is why they got former Titans receiver Rishard Matthews. But that may not be enough of a fix for Darnold's weapons on the outside.
And, to make matters worse, their options are very limited when looking at who else they could pick up. When it comes to trades, Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas is said to not be on the trading block. The Dolphins are looking for a third-rounder for WR DeVante Parker, but he isn't worth that haul. Miami would likely be hesitant to send him within the division as well.
So, with the Oct. 30 trade deadline approaching fast, here is who the Jets could go after for immediate change in their passing game...
WR Dez Bryant
Many are still baffled by the fact that receiver-needy teams haven't bit on the 29-year-old Pro Bowler. The main knock on Bryant is his charismatic personality that can be a detriment in the locker room as well as his decline in play the past couple seasons.
However, Bryant still has loads of experience being the No. 1 receiver on his team, and Darnold could use someone like that immediately. Last season, the former Cowboy caught 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns over 16 games.
WR Terrelle Pryor
The Jets cut Pryor last week as he was dealing with a groin injury. But the 29-year-old proclaimed on Twitter Thursday that he's ready to get back to work. Perfect timing, right?
Back and ready! pic.twitter.com/LOCqdZt3SK
- Terrelle Pryor SR (@TerrellePryor) October 25, 2018
Pryor, who signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Jets this past offseason, has tallied 14 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns over six games with the Jets this season. He obviously knows the offense, and if what he says is true that he is good to go, the Jets could own up to their word and bring him back.
WR Brice Butler
Having traded for Amari Cooper, the Cowboys dropped Butler, and the Jets pounced on giving him a workout on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
Butler has only seen three snaps after signing with Dallas on Sept. 18, but having spent five years in the NFL, he certainly has the experience to jump right in the mix. Last season, he hauled in 15 receptions on 24 targets for 317 yards and three touchdowns with the Cowboys.
Though they have a vast amount of cap space, Butler would be a cheap option for the Jets if that's the route they would like to go.
WR Golden Tate
This is where GM Mike Maccagnan would have to go out and make a trade. Tate has been a staple on the Lions' receiving corps for the past four seasons, and that hasn't changed this year. He leads Detroit in receiving yards (467) on 37 catches, and has eight catches over 20 yards this season.
So why would the Lions want to get rid of their top producer? Well, Tate is set to be a free agent this coming offseason, and at age 31, the Lions may not want to re-sign him. The emergence of Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay could factor into Detroit wanting to shop Tate to get something before they can't at all.
The Lions are still in the hunt for the NFC North at 3-3, but if Maccagnan is creative enough, maybe Tate can be Darnold's new favorite target.
WR Kenny Britt
If a quick-fix option is what the Jets want, Britt could definitely be that guy. The veteran spent time with the Browns and Patriots last season, and hasn't found a new home in the NFL in 2018. In 12 total games between the two teams, he totaled 256 yards on 20 receptions and two touchdowns.
At 30, Britt would come cheap, and the 6-foot-3 receiver could be used for jump balls in the end zone. It's also worth pointing out that he's a Bayonne, NJ native.