With Aaron Glenn now the head coach of the New York Jets, it's a natural expectation he might like to bring some of his former Detroit Lions' defensive players with him. So the report he will "pound the table" for some looming free agents on that front is no surprise.
Linebacker Derrick Barnes was specifically named as the Lions' free agent Glenn will target for the Jets, but cornerback Carlton Davis and defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike also stand to make sense as players Glenn will court. There are some others who could be on Glenn's radar to bring to the Jets (Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Kindle Vildor).
It's also clear the Jets don't have a lot of cap space right now, though they can clear a notable chunk or two if things go a certain way. So to pursue players Glenn will want with him, other paths may be necessary.
New Lions defender proposed as target for Aaron Glenn and the Jets
As part of their offseason trade guide for every NFL team, Bleacher Report offered three potential trade targets for each team. Lions cornerback Amik Robertson made the list for the Jets.
"Defensively, they could use a cornerback to replace D.J. Reed if he leaves in free agency. Robertson was with Glenn with the Lions last season and could take on a bigger role with the Jets."
On the assumption D.J. Reed leaves in free agency, which he foreshadowed before this season was even over, the Jets will be in the marker for a cornerback opposite Sauce Gardner. It's possible, if not likely, that Davis and those of his ilk among free agent cornerbacks will be too costly for them to sign. So a pivot to the trade market could come.
A pivot by the Jets toward interest in trading for a cornerback, namely a lower-cost option like Robertson if Glenn wants him, could happen. But it would obviously take two to tango, and the Lions seem unlikely to be willing to trade Robertson after he played well and proved to be such a good fit overall this season. But the NFL is a "never say never" business, and nothing would stop an effort byt the Jets to see about trading for Robertson if they want to go that way.