New York Jets Offseason Primer: Breaking Down the Depth Chart

With the Winter Olympics winding down, the NFL is ready to jump back into the news. Here are the important offseason dates on the football calendar.

• February 23 to March 2 — NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
• March 3 — Deadline for Franchise or Transition Tag.
• March 9 — Legal Tampering Window opens.
• March 11 — Official start of Free Agency (and trading period).
• April 17 — Deadline for RFAs to sign offer sheets.
• April 23 to April 25 — NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Just 12 months into their tenure, New York Jets GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn are already on the hot seat. The good news is they have almost $79m in cap space, and four of the first 44 draft picks to continue rebuilding the organization.

Let’s get you ready for a busy offseason by breaking down the Jets current depth chart:

QUARTERBACK

1. TBD
2. TBD
3. TBD

Rostered of Note
Brady Cook
Justin Fields
Hendon Hooker
Bailey Zappe

Free Agents
Tyrod Taylor (UFA)

Analysis
In a perfect world, the Jets wipe the slate clean and piece together a new quarterback room with a veteran starter, a veteran backup, and a day 3 draft pick.

Tyrod Taylor made it clear that he believes in Aaron Glenn and is open to returning, but his inability to stay healthy makes him a liability at this stage of his career.

Justin Fields will likely be cut before free agency to save half of his $20m cap hit, or after June 1 to spread out the cap hit over multiple seasons. However, if I’m new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, I’m showing Fields tape of Taysom Hill playing QB, RB, and TE for the New Orleans Saints.

Fields has struck out with three teams as a starting quarterback — but with a few pounds of muscle he could potentially reinvent himself as a “slash” player to give the Jets another weapon off the bench. 

RUNNING BACK

1. TBD
2. Braelon Allen
3. Isaiah Davis
4. TBD

Rostered of Note
N/A

Free Agents
Andrew Beck (UFA)
Breece Hall (UFA)
Khalil Herbert (UFA)
Kene Nwangwu (UFA)

Analysis
With so many holes to fill, it would be silly to let Breece Hall walk out of the building. Despite playing for an inferior team with inferior quarterback play, Hall’s stats are very similar to fellow free agent, and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.

Given the choice, I’m keeping Hall, who’s considered a better blocker and receiver. Whether it’s a long-term deal, the franchise tag or even the transition tag, the Jets need to keep Hall in Florham Park.

Kene Nwangwu is an explosive kick returner but the emergence of Isaiah Williams may lead the Jets to look for a more well-rounded fourth running back unless he is willing to come back on a low salary, one-year contract.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Garrett Wilson
2. TBD
3. TBD
4. AD Mitchell
5. TBD
6. Isaiah Williams (KR/PR)
7. TBD

Rostered of Note
Quentin Skinner
Arian Smith

Free Agents
Tyler Johnson (UFA)
John Metchie III (RFA)
Josh Reynolds (UFA)

Analysis
The expectation is that the Jets will make a qualifying offer to John Metchie III — who they acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in the Michael Carter II trade. He would slot into the fifth receiver role, leaving the Jets looking for two starters to play alongside Garrett Wilson.

TIGHT END

1. Mason Taylor
2. Jeremy Ruckert
3. TBD

Rostered of Note
N/A

Free Agents
Stone Smartt (UFA)
Jelani Woods (UFA)

Analysis
Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert give the Jets much-needed continuity at a skill position. The search for depth will come in the second stage of free agency and perhaps on day three of the draft.

OFFENSIVE LINE

1. Olu Fashanu (LT)
2. TBD (LG)
3. Josh Myers (C)
4. Joe Tippmann (RG)
5. Armand Membou (RT)
6. TBD (Reserve)
7. TBD (Reserve)
8. TBD (Reserve)
9. Gus Hartwig (Reserve)
10. TBD (Reserve)

Rostered of Note
N/A

Free Agents
Max Mitchell (UFA)
Xavier Newman-Johnson (RFA)
Chukwuma Okorafor (UFA)
John Simpson (UFA)
Alijah Vera-Tucker (UFA)

Analysis
The Jets starting offensive line was a bright spot in 2025, highlighted by the fact that they played all 17 games together. Mougey extended Josh Myers’ contract in December, assuring the Jets will bring back at least four of their five starters. 

Ironically, the open position is left guard — where Alijah Vera-Tucker started his Jets career back in 2022. IF both sides are willing, I’d like to see the Jets give Vera-Tucker an incentive-heavy deal to see if he can finally stay healthy in a Jets uniform.

In addition to needing one starter, the majority of the Jets’ depth will become free agents — though I expect Newman-Johnson to receive a qualifying offer.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Harrison Phillips
2. TBD
3. Jowon Briggs
4. TBD
5. Mazi Smith

Rostered of Note
Jack Heflin
Payton Page

Free Agents
Khalen Saunders (UFA)
Jay Tufele (UFA)

Analysis
The Jets have come a long way from 2019, when current Super Bowl champion Leonard Williams and current Dallas Cowboy Quinnen Williams were playing together. Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs were important trade acquisitions for Mougey last August, but the Jets are going to need to add at least one DT in both free agency and the draft.

It is important to note, our depth chart assumes the Jets continue to primarily play a 4-3 defense. That’s in question because Glenn, who will be calling plays, used a hybrid 3-4/4-3 in Detroit and new defensive coordinator Brian Duker has extensive experience with the 3-4.

EDGE

1. Jermaine Johnson
2. Will McDonald IV
3. TBD
4. TBD
5. TBD

Rostered of Note
Tyler Barron
Kingsley Jonathan
Braiden McGregor
Eric Watts

Free Agents
Michael Clemons (UFA)

Analysis
No doubt the Jets need an infusion of athleticism on the edge, but I’m not so sure they need to replace either Jermaine Johnson or Will McDonald as starters. Johnson was an ascending star in 2023 before he tore his Achilles early in the 2024 season. Another year of healing, and the motivation that comes with an expiring contract, could see him get back on his prior Pro Bowl trajectory.

Meanwhile, we would expect Duker and Glenn, regardless of the base-defense decision, to do a better job of utilizing McDonald’s speed and strength compared to what Steve Wilkes did a year ago.

LINEBACKER

1. Jamien Sherwood (MLB)
2. TBD (SLB)
3. Marcelino McCrary-Ball (WLB)
4. Kiko Mauigoa (Reserve)
5. TBD (Reserve)

Rostered of Note
Kobe King

Free Agents
Cam Jones (RFA)
Mykal Walker (UFA)
Quincy Williams (UFA)

Analysis
Once again, the Duker/Glenn 3-4/4-3 decision looms large as the Jets will need a rebound performance from Jamien Sherwood, and a replacement for outgoing free agent Quincy Williams. This is another position to watch in both the draft and free agency.

CORNERBACK

1. Brandon Stephens (RCB)
2. Azareye’h Thomas (LCB)
3. Jarvis Brownlee Jr (Slot)
4. Qwan’tez Stiggers (Reserve)
5. TBD (Reserve)
6. TBD (Reserve)

Rostered of Note
Tre Brown
Jordan Clark

Free Agents
Kris Boyd (UFA)
Ja’Sir Taylor (UFA)

Analysis
The Jets have four legitimate NFL corners on their roster. Are any of them above-average? As of now, no. But the hope is that Azareye’h Thomas and Jarvis Brownlee can make big jumps in their second and third years respectively.

Due to the fact that Gang Green has so many needs on the defensive side of the ball, I would envision Brandon Stephens getting a second crack at proving the Jets were right in giving him a big free agent deal a year ago. 

SAFETY

1. TBD (FS)
2. Malachi Moore (SS)
3. TBD (Reserve)
4. TBD (Reserve)

Rostered of Note
Jarius Monroe

Free Agents
Tony Adams (UFA)
Andre Cisco (UFA)
Isaiah Oliver (UFA)

Analysis
The Jets are hurting at safety and will be active in both the draft and free agency. Malachi Moore is the only returnee who is likely guaranteed a roster spot.

SPECIAL TEAMS

1. TBD (K)
2. Austin McNamara (P)
3. Thomas Hennessy (LS)

Rostered of Note
Lenny Krieg (K)

Free Agents
Nick Folk (UFA)

Analysis
Re-upping Nick Folk is even more of a no-brainer than retaining Breece Hall. The 41-year-old made 28 of 29 field goals and all 22 of his extra points. Plus, he’s the link to the last Jets’ playoff season in 2010. #FolkHero.

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