The Jets assembled a significant class of free agents, but only one signing was big enough to make the back page of the tabloid papers: quarterback Justin Fields.
Otherwise, they have flown under the radar, adding lower-cost free agents (some of them unproven or a couple years removed from productive seasons) across the roster. Their signings are such that many of the team’s biggest needs heading into free agency remain their needs now, at least on paper.
That’s not to say they’re done adding players between now and the NFL Draft, just that it’s clear the Jets have prioritized getting younger and augmenting the roster in the draft rather than splurging in free agency. They’ve let most of their notable free agents leave for other teams and released two of their older players (Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosley) with post-June 1 designations. Now, this is a Jets roster with only four players over 30, three of them from special teams: quarterback Tyrod Taylor, punter Thomas Morstead, kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Thomas Hennessy. It would be a surprise if Zuerlein ultimately stuck around, and Morstead has competition in 24-year-old free-agent signee Austin McNamara.
Now that the first wave of free agency is winding down, this is a good time to take a step back and look at the depth chart, identify what holes remain, and figure out how Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey might fill them (new additions in italics):
Quarterback
Starter: Justin Fields
Backups: Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis, Adrian Martinez
Is it still a need? Sort of.
The Jets will speak of Fields and Taylor as if this is a legitimate battle to start at quarterback in 2025, but just follow the money: The Jets just handed Fields a $40 million contract, $30 million of it guaranteed — Taylor has a $6.8 million cap hit. If Fields is not starting in Week 1, something went terribly wrong. Fields has not been made available to the media, but it is notable that reports have indicated the Steelers had a similar offer on the table to retain him; Fields prioritized the Jets, who were likely more willing to make Fields their starter going into 2025. (It likely didn’t help that Mike Tomlin benched Fields last season, against the wishes of many in that Steelers locker room.)
As for the future, the Jets will see what they have in Travis this offseason. Signing Fields shouldn’t preclude them from drafting a quarterback, though Round 1 feels less likely now. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe would be an intriguing target on Day 2 considering his mobility could make him a weapon as soon as his rookie season while he develops as a passer behind Fields and Taylor. Jets quarterbacks coach Charles London ran drills with Milroe at the combine.
Running back
Starter: Breece Hall
Backups: Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Zach Evans
Is it still a need? No.
The Jets probably feel as good about this group as any on the roster, depending on Glenn’s evaluation of the Hall-Allen-Davis trio. It can’t be ruled out that they’d want to add another dynamic runner — expect this to be a run-heavy offense — but the Jets would be perfectly fine with that group. Hall should be much better with an improved offensive line (they’re a year older and four out of five starters return) and better plan of attack in the running game with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Fields as a running threat won’t hurt. Allen in particular feels like he stands to have the most to gain playing alongside Fields, due to their disparate running styles.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson
Backups: Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson, Brandon Smith, Ontaria Wilson, Easop Winston
Is it still a need? Yes — a huge one.
The biggest shocker of free agency for the Jets so far might be that Lazard remains on the roster — and until further notice is their best option as the No. 2 wide receiver. There are plenty of productive and talented veteran wideouts still available in free agency, including Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and Brandin Cooks, but the Jets don’t appear interested in adding anyone over 30. The under-30 free-agent options aren’t especially appealing — Devin Duvernay, Elijah Moore, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Terrace Marshall among them — so the more likely outcome is that the Jets are waiting to see what they can add in the NFL Draft before making a decision on Lazard. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Texas’s Matthew Golden would be two options in the first round, but the Jets can find talent after the first too.
They already used up their two early post-June 1 designations on Rodgers and Mosley, but they could simply wait until June 1 to release Lazard and save more money — $11 million instead of $6.6 million.
Johnson is an intriguing add as someone who has flashed some talent, especially last year with the Rams, but has never had a significant role. He’s only 6-1 but is productive on contested catches, hauling in 12 of 17 over his career, per Pro Football Focus — and all 12 catches were on throws more than 20 yards down the field. Ideally he’ll be the Jets No. 3 or No. 4 receiver. The previous staff was high on Corley last year — they had him graded ahead of Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. — but he was a non-factor as a rookie (three receptions, 16 yards) and will have to prove himself to a new staff. The Jets also recently hosted former Cardinals second-round pick Rondale Moore for a visit.
Tight End
Starter: Jeremy Ruckert
Backups: Stone Smartt, Zack Kuntz, Andrew Beck (fullback), Neal Johnson
Is it still a need? Yes, maybe the biggest.
Tyler Conklin is still a free agent and had interest in returning at the start of free agency. It’s unclear if his market hasn’t materialized or if he’s waiting for the right contract, but he’s at least a possibility to return. If not, the Jets are headed for a scenario in which they’ll need to draft someone at the position, possibly as high as No. 7 overall. Penn State’s Tyler Warren is considered a high-level tight end prospect — maybe not at the level of Brock Bowers, but good enough that he’d plug in Day 1 as a starter and likely be one of Fields’ favorite targets (he brings something as a blocker too).
This is considered a talented tight end draft class, so they could get a starter other than Warren too. Some of the other top prospects include Michigan’s Colston Loveland, LSU’s Mason Taylor, Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, Texas’ Gunnar Helm, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin and Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson.
As for who’s on the roster: Ruckert has had a disappointing start to his career (35 receptions for 264 yards and no touchdowns in three seasons) but perhaps playing with his old college teammate (Fields) will help. Smartt is a quarterback-turned-tight end with intriguing skills and athleticism. He came on strong at the end of last season but he’s undersized for the position (226 pounds) and is more of a big slot than a true tight end.
Offensive Tackle
Starters: LT Olu Fashanu, RT Chukwuma Okorafor
Backups: Carter Warren, Max Mitchell, Obinna Eze
Is it still a need? Yes, at right tackle.
Okorafor is the current favorite to start at right tackle, though if this is the group the Jets roll with he’ll compete with Warren and Mitchell during training camp. I’d expect the Jets to draft a tackle to bring into the mix since that trio wouldn’t inspire much confidence — especially considering Okorafor spent one game with the Patriots, was benched and then left the team before Week 2 last year. Another option would be starting free-agent signee Josh Myers at center and bumping Joe Tippmann to guard and Alijah Vera-Tucker to tackle, but there hasn’t been any indication that the Jets are considering that.
Missouri’s Armond Membou would be hard to pass up if he falls to No. 7, and LSU’s Will Campbell would be an option there too. Former Browns first-round pick Jedrick Wills (25) remains available in free agency.
Interior Offensive Line
Starters: LG John Simpson, C Joe Tippmann, RG Alijah Vera-Tucker
Backups: Josh Myers, Xavier Newman, Max Mitchell, Kohl Levao, Zack Bailey
Is it still a need? Can’t hurt to add.
The Jets should feel as good about their interior offensive line group as they have in a while. Simpson was a revelation last season and is carrying a reasonable $6.6 million cap hit. Vera-Tucker, when healthy, remains solid and Tippmann should be better with another year of experience under his belt. If this alignment sticks, Myers is one of the better interior backups the Jets have had considering his experience (56 starts in Green Bay since 2021). The Jets could still add depth in the draft.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Derrick Nnadi
Backups: Byron Cowart, Jay Tufele, Leonard Taylor III, Phidarian Mathis
Is it still a need? Yes.
The Jets’ approach at defensive tackle was to add rotational veterans to play next to Williams. Nnadi has historically been a solid run stuffer and he won three Super Bowls as a starter with the Chiefs, though he didn’t play much last year (20 percent of the snaps). Cowart and Tufele are big bodies to rotate — and better depth compared to what the Jets had last year. Taylor has shown flashes of talent worth developing, but I would still expect the Jets to consider adding another big body in the draft.
Edge rusher
Starters: Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV
Backups: Micheal Clemons, Rashad Weaver, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor
Is it still a need? Yes.
Johnson and McDonald are locked in as starters — and if Johnson returns to form post-Achilles surgery, that’s a solid duo. But this is a group lacking depth. Clemons had a bad season and his lack of discipline (particularly ill-timed penalties) has hurt the Jets over the last two seasons. He’ll likely make it to training camp, but the Jets would be smart to bring in more competition. Weaver was a low-risk free agent signing, a young player who was productive in 2022 (5.5 sacks, 15 QB hits in 16 games) but not in the two seasons since (zero sacks, zero QB hits in 18 games).
It would even be defensible to draft an edge rusher at No. 7 — especially if someone like Georgia’s Jalon Walker falls that far, considering his versatility and how much Glenn values that in his defensive players.
Linebacker
Starters: Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams,
Backups: Zaire Barnes, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jackson Sirmon
Is it still a need? Yes, for depth.
It’s unclear as of yet what the Jets’ base defense will look like, so I only put two linebackers as starters for now. It will be interesting to see if Williams wants a raise/extension on the last year of his deal considering how much money the Jets just handed Sherwood. Even if the Jets only start two linebackers in their base defense, this group lacks depth. Whether it’s through the draft or in free agency (low-cost, under-30 veterans still available: Jerome Baker, Isaiah Simmons, Kyzir White, Willie Gay, Devin White), the Jets need additional bodies here.
Cornerback
Starters: Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II (slot)
Backups: Isaiah Oliver, Qwan’Tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Kris Boyd
Is it still a need? No.
Stephens will be under pressure to live up to his contract, which some around the league viewed as an overpay for a player coming off a down season. But the Jets believe in his ability, some of which he flashed in 2023. Stephens has always been solid, even in 2024, but he’s had trouble finding the ball at times. Playing across from Gardner should help things a bit. This staff views Oliver as more of a cornerback, but he has the ability to play safety too — it was smart to re-sign him. It will be interesting to see if Glenn and his staff can unlock the potentials of Stiggers and/or Bernard-Converse. Boyd was signed for special teams more than defensive snaps.
Safety
Starters: Andre Cisco, Tony Adams
Backups: Jarius Monroe, Tre Swilling, Jaylin Simpson
Is it still a need? Yes
Cisco was a smart signing, a young player coming off a down year but who has historically been a play-maker, forcing five turnovers in 2023. He’ll plug in right away as a starter. Adams (who still has to sign his restricted free agent tender) is worth developing, but might be better served as a third safety. It would be prudent for the Jets to add another starting-caliber safety either in the NFL Draft or free agency. Julian Blackmon is a starting-caliber, under-30 veteran still available.
Special Teams
Starters: K Anders Carlson, P Thomas Morstead, LS Thomas Hennessy, KR/PR Kene Nwangwu
Backups: P Austin McNamara, K Greg Zuerlein, KR/PR Xavier Gipson
Is it still a need? No.
Maybe the Jets will let Carlson and Zuerlein duke it out in training camp, but more likely Zuerlein will be cut for cap savings ($2.4 million now, or $4.1 million if they wait until June). Morstead would also be a cut candidate if McNamara (zero NFL experience) beats him out — the Jets would save $2.5 million by cutting Morstead. As for returner: Nwangwu showed some skills before getting hurt late last season, and Gipson has regressed since flashing as a rookie.
(Photo: Barry Reeger / Imagn Images)
