The heavy lifting of roster building for the Jets is done.
Jets GM Joe Douglas and the Jets attacked certain areas of the team this offseason — most notably offensive line and wide receiver — to try to end the team’s 13-year playoff drought.
With the active period of free agency and the NFL draft now in the rearview mirror, the Jets’ 2024 roster is coming into focus.
There will be tinkering between now and September, but the majority of the players who will be on the team this season are now in the fold.
Let’s take a look at where the Jets improved this offseason and where they could still make additions:
Quarterback
This position was a mess in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon in Week 1. They went through three other starters — Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian — and the offense was awful. The return of a healthy Rodgers will be the biggest addition in 2024 but the Jets also added a veteran backup in Tyrod Taylor, something they lacked last year. Jordan Travis is a fifth-round pick the Jets hope can develop.
Running back
If there was any surprise in the draft it was that the Jets selected two running backs. They drafted Braelon Allen in the fourth round and Isaiah Davis in the fifth. Those two and Israel Abanikanda will be battling in training camp to be Breece Hall’s primary backup.
Wide receiver
The Jets signed Mike Williams to a one-year contract in March and then drafted Malachi Corley in the third round to play with Garrett Wilson. You could argue that the Jets still should add at this position but I think they will roll with Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson and Jason Brownlee rounding out the receiving corps. There are questions here about Williams coming off an ACL injury and how quickly Corley can have an impact. Rodgers should help make everyone play better.
Tight end
This position only had a subtraction with C.J. Uzomah getting cut. There was lots of predraft talk about taking a tight end but the Jets feel good about Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz.
Offensive line
The Jets have three new starters with tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and guard John Simpson. They also drafted Olu Fashanu in the first round. This position should be much improved. They still could use someone to back up Joe Tippmann at center. Connor McGovern remains a free agent and would make sense as a depth signing.
Edge
It will be interesting to see how this group looks without Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers. Haason Reddick is the big addition and Will McDonald should get more time in his second season.
Interior defensive line
I think this is a sneaky position where the Jets got worse this season. Losing Quinton Jefferson is bigger than it seems. Franklin-Myers also could move inside. Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu are the big additions, but I think the Jets could use more depth here. Lawrence Guy and Linval Joseph are free agents who could make sense.
Linebacker
The Jets are rock solid here with C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams as their starters. Jamien Sherwood and Chazz Surratt are backups who can play special teams.
Cornerback
This is another position where the Jets have a great starting group — Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II — but have some questions behind them. Fifth-round pick Qwan’tez Stiggers is an intriguing player with his CFL background. Isaiah Oliver should be Carter’s primary backup at nickelback.
Safety
If you are looking for a weakness on the defense, this is it. Chuck Clark is coming off a torn ACL that cost him all of last year. Tony Adams is in his second season as a starter after an up-and-down first year. Ashtyn Davis is the third safety. There are some interesting players still available at this position but they likely are asking for too much money and that is why they are still available. Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde and Quandre Diggs are all accomplished players who are still free agents. The Jets likely won’t add anyone unless the prices drop.
