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          NFL Nation

          The once-great Andre Johnson not a fit for the Jets

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterMar 3, 2015, 06:20 PM ET
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          The sudden availability of Andre Johnson, who reportedly has received permission from the Houston Texans to seek a trade, has fueled questions about possible interest from the New York Jets. It's understandable, considering general manager Mike Maccagnan's strong ties to the Houston organization and the unsettled state of the Jets' receiving corps.

          But in this case, the Jets should take a pass.

          Johnson is one of the most prolific wide receivers in history, a possible Hall of Famer, but he's not right for the Jets. They need youth and speed at receiver, not a 33-year-old whose best days are behind him.

          He'd be ideal for a contending team -- maybe he could do what Steve Smith did last season for the Baltimore Ravens -- but the Jets aren't in that category. They could have an opening if they release Percy Harvin in the coming days, but that spot should be filled with a draft pick (Amari Cooper, anyone?) or a still-in-his-prime free agent.

          If the Texans can't trade Johnson (highly unlikely), they will release him. Even then, the Jets should stay away. Maybe it would make sense after the draft, if both sides still are looking, but not now. I'd be surprised if the Jets get involved now. Besides, why would Johnson want to go from one suspect quarterback situation to another?

          Johnson caught 85 passes last season, pretty impressive, but a closer look at his numbers reveals he wasn't the same dynamic player he once was. He had only 936 receiving yards, the third fewest by any player targeted at least 145 times in a season over the last 10 years, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          The Texans went out of their way to feed him the ball. In fact, he was targeted on 39 percent on his pass routes in the red zone, third in the league, yet he finished with only three touchdown catches.

          The Jets have Harvin (maybe), Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley, and a bunch of young kids that need to play, including Quincy Enunwa and Shaq Evans. For all his great accomplishments, Johnson would be a "progress stopper." That's what Bill Parcells used to call old players that took reps away from young, developing players. The Jets tried this last year with Chris Johnson, and the results were underwhelming. They need to find their own Andre Johnson.