Updated on 3-11-25 at 3:16a
The New York Jets entered the offseason with 12 sure starters on their depth chart. That means they need to acquire 10 starters (5 on offense; 5 on defense) via NFL Free Agency, trades or the NFL Draft.
Here’s their positional needs based on priority:
NEW YORK JETS OFFSEASON PRIORITIES
- QB1 (Justin Fields)
- RT
- LB (Jamien Sherwood)
- DT
- WR2
- TE
- FS (Andre Cisco)
- SS
- CB2 (Brandon Stephens)
- WR3
ICYMI Link to “New York Jets Top QB Options for the 2025 NFL Season”.
ANALYSIS
Based on the available options, Justin Fields was an inspired signing by the new Jets regime. He’s an elite runner and the expectation is that the Jets will become a run-heavy team. IF he grows as a passer, he becomes a long-term option. If not, the Jets won’t have to force anything in this year’s draft because they’ll get another shot at it next year. Fields will have a seasoned mentor in Tyrod Taylor to compete with, plus he already has chemistry with his former Ohio State Buckeye teammate Garrett Wilson. The quickest path for Aaron Glenn’s team to make the playoffs is to emulate the Philadelphia Eagles with a strong running game and a Top 10 defense. This signing gives Fields the chance to reprise the Jalen Hurts role. (Grade B+)
Signing Jamien Sherwood was an easy decision, though the rising costs of linebackers had to give Darren Mougey a little pause. Having said that, when you draft a college safety, convert him into a linebacker and see him ascend like Sherwood did in 2024, that organization needs to hold on to that player regardless of who drafted him. Sherwood had a tough task in replacing injured team leader CJ Mosley, but he earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his communication skills and his play on the field. He finished 3rd in the NFL in tackles with 158 and was voted Team MVP by his peers. (Grade A)
Nothing statistically stands out about Brandon Stephens other than he started all 17 regular season games last season for the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens. He had 70 total tackles (59 solo), 10 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks and 0 (zero) interceptions. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him 153rd out of 223 qualifying cornerbacks. I was advocating to bring back Brandin Echols on the cheap, and was surprised to see the Jets guarantee a reported $23m to Stephens as part of his 3-year, $36m contract. At that price, I was tempted to give this move a failing grade. In the end, I’m giving Glenn the benefit of the doubt because he has spent his entire life playing, scouting and coaching this position. (Grade C-)
The final day one signing was Queens native Andre Cisco who is expected to be the Jets opening day starter at FS. Cisco will battle incumbent Tony Adams, who the Jets placed a “right to match” tender on earlier in the day. Cisco, like Stephens, is coming off a down season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While that’s cause for concern, the Jaguars had a similar chaotic season as the Jets, which can have an effective on performance (see Breece Hall and Sauce Gardner). The Jets mitigated their risk by giving Cisco a one-year contract at $10m (and retaining Adams). We were going to give this move a C, but we bumped it up because Cisco is a fellow Syracuse University Alum. (Grade C+)
ICYMI Link to “Roster Cheat Sheet for the New York Jets New Regime”.
