Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange and Caroline Hendershot will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.
Today's question: What Are the Jets' Most Pressing Offseason Needs?
EA: While the Jets are going to explore all their options at quarterback, I've got safety circled. Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis and Jalen Mills are UFAs, and Tony Adams is a RFA. The list becomes five safeties when you add Swiss Army Knife Isaiah Oliver to the equation. From a sheer numbers perspective, the Jets will have to add a safety or two in free agency. Defensive tackle is another big need considering Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas and Leki Fotu have expiring contracts. On offensive, the landscape has changed quite a bit at wide receiver. Garrett Wilson remains a foundational piece but Davante Adams was released and the status of Allen Lazard remains a question. If Lazard doesn't return, the Jets' top wideouts on the roster entering free agency will be Wilson, Xavier Gipson (27 career catches) and Malachi Corley (3 receptions his rookie season). While the Jets may add a QB in free agency, safety, defensive tackle and wideout will have to be addressed. All teams like to address holes in free agency, so they don't have to reach for a need come the draft.
EG: Quarterback is the obvious choice considering it's the most important position in sports. While the Jets will almost certainly add an arm or two to the QB room, Tyrod Taylor is a good option under center. From a numbers perspective, the Green & White have the most expiring contracts at safety, linebacker and cornerback with four players at each position. Those names are highlighted by starters such as 2024 Curtis Martin Team MVP Jamien Sherwood, CB D.J. Reed and the rotation of starting safeties that includes Jalen Mills, Tony Adams (restricted free agent) and Chuck Clark. A lot of the expiring contracts at those positions include spot-starters who were valuable on special teams such as CB Brandin Echols. Echols, who started 19 games at corner over four seasons, was the Jets' starting gunner each of the last two seasons. S Ashtyn Davis, the team's punt protector, and LBs Sam Eguavoen and Chazz Surratt took the most snaps on special teams last season and are each set to become unrestricted free agents.
RL: Quarterback would be an easy answer, and a correct one. WR needs repopulating. This seems to be a good offseason to address DT help alongside now perennial Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams. But I'm going to turn the spotlight on HC Aaron Glenn's old stomping grounds in the secondary. For starters, corner looks good with Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter II returning healthy. But after that, free agency could make this the position where Glenn and GM Darren Mougey earn their first-year pay. CB D.J. Reed seems intent on testing the free agency waters. Other CBs who can become UFAs in less than a week are Brandin Echols, Isaiah Oliver and Kendall Sheffield. Potential unrestricted FAs at safety: Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis and Jalen Mills. Also, Tony Adams can become a restricted FA. So of the DBs' 85 starts (including, for the sake of argument, 17 starts at nickel), the Jets in theory could lose 57 starts from '24. Some heavy lifting there, although we're sure that Mougey and Glenn, who as Detroit's DC guided a banged-up Lions secondary last season to the best opponent passer rating (82.0) and second-best opponent completion percentage (61.1%) in the league, are up to the task.
CH: Other than the obvious need at quarterback, I think the most pressing need for the Jets comes at defensive line, specifically the interior. Defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas and Leki Fotu are all free agents leaving Quinnen Williams as the only veteran at that position on the roster. While the Jets have the No. 7 overall pick in the draft and several analysts have projected Michigan DT Mason Graham as a good fit for the team, I think the Jets could add some DTs in free agency. While I would be surprised if they hit the market because of how effective they were for their teams last season, Eagles DT Milton Williams and Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike stand out. Williams had 2 sacks and 4 pressures in the Super Bowl in addition to a career-high 5 sacks and 10 QB hits. He also had the highest PFF rush grade among interior defenders at 91.7. Last year was the first time Onwuzurike started a game in the NFL (10 starts) because he was plagued with injuries and played in 10 games over the 2022 and '23 seasons. He totaled 28 tackles, 13 QB hits and 1.5 sacks for Detroit under DC Aaron Glenn last season.
