The 5-9, 177-pound Crowder played in only nine games last season (29 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns) due to an ankle injury, but he has proven in the past that he can be a meaningful contributor.<doc-sep>The Jets headed into free agency needing a slot receiver and an upgrade at linebacker, and they got both. Hours after they agreed to terms with Redskins receiver Jamison Crowder on a three-year deal, the Jets outbid several teams to land Vikings free-agent outside linebacker Anthony Barr. A league source confirmed that the Jets agreed to terms with Crowder, who will get a three-year deal worth $28.5 million – with $17 million guaranteed – to become a featured player in Adam Gase’s offense. The free-agent negotiation period began Monday, with general manager Mike Maccagnan armed with more than $82 million and a long list of needs. Giving Sam Darnold more weapons was on that list, and the Jets got him one. The 5-9, 177-pound Crowder caught 221 passes for 2,628 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past four years for Washington. He had only 29 receptions for 388 yards and two TDs last season, when an ankle injury limited him to nine games. Crowder had at least 99 targets, 66 catches and 789 receiving yards in each of the prior two seasons. He also returned punts. Barr, a first-round pick of the Vikings in 2014, had 13½ sacks in five seasons with them and showed steady improvement. A starter in 71 games, Barr also forced seven fumbles. He’ll be counted on to beef up the Jets’ pass rush, one of their biggest deficiencies in recent seasons. The Jets may draft a blue-chip edge rusher with the third overall pick, although Barr’s signing may allow them to draft an elite defensive lineman who can play end or tackle in their 3-4 scheme. A league source confirmed Barr’s contract agreement Monday night. He and Crowder are expected to sign their contracts after the league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Crowder will be 26 in June, so he could grow with Darnold, who should have a decent receiving group. The Jets still don’t have a No. 1 receiver, but they have talent, speed and versatility with Crowder, Quincy Enunwa, restricted free agent Robby Anderson and tight end Chris Herndon. Subscribe to Sports Now newsletter By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. The pending Crowder deal, which can’t be signed or announced until Wednesday, is a clear sign that the Jets won’t re-sign Jermaine Kearse. The Jets still have plenty of work to do on both sides of the ball. They haven’t acquired a running back or an edge rusher. The Jets are targeting Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, as are a number of teams. He’s widely considered the best free agent on the market. “I’m sooooo torn right now ... decisions,” Bell tweeted Monday. After former NFL cornerback Charles James tweeted at Bell to flip a coin, he responded, “lol that would be easy if it was just between 2.” Bell, who sat out last season, turned down a five-year, $70 million deal with the Steelers. Reportedly, only $17 million was guaranteed. Bell, one of the most talented players in the league, wants to be paid like a wide receiver. That could be too rich for the Jets. Atlanta running back Tevin Coleman might be their next option. He would be more affordable for a team that has 26 free agents. Two potential Jets targets on defense, end Trey Flowers and outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., reached agreements with the Lions and Rams, respectively. If the Jets can upgrade at inside linebacker, they may part ways with Darron Lee, who ended last season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy. The Jets addressed the offensive line Sunday when they agreed in principle to acquire two-time Pro Bowl left guard Kelechi Osemele and a sixth-round pick from the Raiders for a fifth-rounder. Osemele tweeted Monday: “J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets! ... Can’t wait to bring one in with my new squad.” Since protecting Darnold is a priority, the Jets will try to sign Broncos center Matt Paradis. The Jets also were interested in Chiefs center Mitch Morse, but he reportedly is heading to Buffalo. The Jets plan to sign former Bears receiver/special teamer Josh Bellamy, a source confirmed. He caught 14 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown last year. They also are aggressively pursuing Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley, who many teams have in their sights. If the Jets can upgrade the inside linebacker position, they may part ways with 2016 first-round pick Darron Lee, who ended last season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s anti-drug policy. The Jets reached a deal Monday with one of their own free agents, defensive back Darryl Roberts. It was important to lock him up. Morris Claiborne is set to become a free agent Wednesday, and cornerback Buster Skrine agreed to terms with the Bears, a source confirmed. Roberts started 10 games last season, spelling Trumaine Johnson at corner and Marcus Maye at safety when they were injured. Roberts is the second free agent the Jets are bringing back. They came to terms with offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison over the weekend. Other free agents the Jets would like to retain include defensive end Henry Anderson, returner Andre Roberts and kicker Jason Myers.<doc-sep>According to Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets are expected to sign former Washington Redskins free agent slot receiver Jamison Crowder. The #Jets are signing former #Redskins WR Jamison Crowder, and coach Adam Gase will get creative with him. pic.twitter.com/wSFEU1tIs1 — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019 Jamison Crowder is a 25 year old, 5’ 9”, 177 pound slot receiver originally drafted by the Redskins with the 105th overall selection in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has been a consistent performer for the Redskins, notching between 59 and 67 receptions for each of his first three years in the NFL before an injury plagued 2018 season. For his career Crowder has played in 56 games out of a possible 64 games in four years, accumulating 221 receptions for 2628 yards, 11.9 yards per reception and 14 touchdowns. Crowder fits the mold of a smaller, shifty slot receiver Jets head coach Adam Gase seems to favor. He has generally been healthy, but missed seven games in the middle of the 2018 season due to an ankle injury. Crowder is expected to receive a 3 year, $28.5 million contract with $17 million in guarantees from the Jets.<doc-sep>
A few hours after coming to terms with wide receiver Jamison Crowder, the Jets added some more depth at the position. General manager Mike Maccagnan agreed to a deal with former Bears wideout Josh Bellamy on Monday night, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a two-year deal worth a maximum of $7 million, with $2.75 million fully guaranteed. Barring something totally unforeseen, Bellamy won’t spend a ton of time catching passes from quarterback Sam Darnold over the next two years in New York, but he will add some depth at the position. The 29-year-old is entering his eighth season after stops with the Chiefs and Redskins before five years with the Bears. Bellamy has 76 career catches, all of which have come within the last four years. He snared 14 passes for 117 yards last season. Bellamy played under head coach Adam Gase back in 2015, when Gase spent his one season as the Bears’ offensive coordinator. That was Bellamy’s first season contributing as a wideout; he caught 19 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. For the most part, Bellamy is a special-teams guru. He was particularly effective on the Bears’ kick- and punt-coverage units. His signing shows that the Jets remain committed to focusing heavily on special teams as its own, distinct and that Maccagnan isn’t afraid to use roster spots on specialized players to help coordinator Brant Boyer field a top-tier unit. That strategy worked wonders last season, when the Jets completely revolutionized their special teams and finished with the league’s best unit on the third side of the ball. The year prior, in 2017, the Jets 25th in the special-teams DVOA rankings. Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at mstypulkoski@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.