By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Should the Jets re-sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins? Kony Ealy? Josh McCown? Here's a look at their upcoming free agents.

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Danielle Parhizkaran | AP Photo

Keep or dump?

In 2015, the Jets spent money like they were printing it during free agency.

In 2016, they pinched every penny, and turned over couches in search for a quarter.

Last year, they laid low, electing instead to cut so many of their high-priced veterans to give the young guys on the roster a chance to play.

So what will this offseason hold?

The Jets, assuming a $12 million salary cap increase, should have loads of money to spend, if they choose to spend it. OTC estimates the Jets will have (without any contract restructures or cuts) $79.9 million. That would the fourth-most in the league.

General manager Mike Maccagnan won't use all of that on other team's players. He will undoubtedly try to retain some of the Jets' own. But which guys are worth bringing back?

Here's a keep-dump look at the bigger and more prominent Jets whose contracts are set to expire.

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KEEP: Josh McCown, quarterback

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This is, of course, assuming Josh McCown still wants to play. The Jets will likely draft a quarterback this year. They'll need a veteran in place to help him adjust to the NFL.

McCown would be the perfect mentor, and already knows John Morton's system. It's better to bring McCown back, then start from scratch again without another stop-gap QB. The Jets should have the cap space to give McCown a one-year, $6-$8 million deal.

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Jets still have playoff hopes

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KEEP: Morris Claiborne, cornerback

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For the right price, the Jets should absolutely bring back Morris Claiborne. He missed one game with an injury, but outside of that, he's been healthy. He's still young (27), too.

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DUMP: Wesley Johnson, center

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The Jets hoped Wesley Johnson would be ready to fill in for Nick Mangold. He hasn't played well this year, though. The Jets have survived with their offensive line, but it can definitely improve. Be it in the draft or free agency, the Jets should look to upgrade the center spot.

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KEEP: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, tight end

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Tight ends with Austin Seferian-Jenkins skillset don't grow on trees. The Jets would be insane not to bring him back. Seferian-Jenkins is only 25, and just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.

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KEEP: Demario Davis, linebacker

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Demario Davis, at 28, is in the midst of the best year of his career. He has 92 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and is a leader in the locker room. He's still young enough to believe he has good football ahead of him.

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Why the Jets lost to the Panthers

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DUMP: Mike Pennel, nose tackle

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Pennel's been OK against the run, but the Jets can upgrade the spot in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.

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DUMP: Chandler Catanzaro, kicker

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Catanzaro's already missed three kicks this year. He's been better than a dreadful 2016, but not by much (75.0 percent to 81.8 percent). The Jets should monitor the free-agent market, and NFL Draft for an improvement. If nothing's there, Catanzaro can be their contingency plan.

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KEEP: Kony Ealy, defensive end

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Ealy's a tremendous rotational defensive lineman. The Jets should bring him back, assuming another team doesn't buy him away. He works well with Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson, and could be in for a larger role next year if the Jets cut Wilkerson.

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DUMP: Jonotthan Harrison, center

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The Jets can find another reserve center at a cheaper price.

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Adams not happy with Cam Newton

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DUMP: Bruce Carter, linebacker

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Carter's been a solid special teams player for the Jets this year, but is he really worth bringing back? A late-round draft pick can likely fill this role for less money.

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KEEP: Julian Stanford, linebacker

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Stanford hasn't played as much with Darron Lee playing increasingly well as the weeks go on. Still, he's a quality veteran, and shouldn't break the bank.

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DUMP: Jeremy Kerley, receiver

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Jeremy Kerley was a solid veteran presence for the Jets before his suspension, but do they really need him going forward? The Jets invested a third-round pick on ArDarius Stewart and fourth-round pick on Chad Hansen this year. Eventually, those two need to play.

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KEEP: Terrence Brooks, safety

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He's been solid in spot duty this year. He shouldn't cost much to bring back.

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Todd Bowles rips Robby Anderson

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DUMP: Brent Qvale, offensive tackle

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Qvale's an OK backup, but the Jets will look to upgrade their offensive line.

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KEEP: Rontez Miles, safety

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He's an emotional leader in the locker room, a solid special teams player, and competent spot-duty defender. There's no reason the Jets shouldn't bring him back.

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