The Jets had quite a sprint at the start of free agency on Monday, but progress has seemingly ground to a halt since.
The team’s quick moves brought in quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Brandon Stephens, and safety Andre Cisco as the negotiation window opened, but momentum has slowed. Since then, only defensive end Rashad Weaver and offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor have joined the roster on Wednesday, both likely serving as backups for the lines.
It’s apparent that head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey prefer a conservative approach to spending in free agency. This strategy can be beneficial in the long run if the draft yields positive results, but that’s a significant uncertainty that remains to be seen.
In the short term, this approach tends to make Jets fans uneasy as they watch prime free agents taken by rivals, highlighting the glaring gaps in the roster.
Free agency isn’t over yet. New players may be signed in the days, weeks, and even months to come, but as time passes, the available options become scarcer.
Here’s where the Jets are still looking to bolster their ranks:
Defensive Tackle
The team is critically understaffed at defensive tackle. With Quinnen Williams being the sole established player at a position that typically requires a substantial rotation during games, the Jets must add more talent here. Names like Raekwon Davis, Morgan Fox, and Benito Jones are still on the table.
If they wait for the NFL Draft to tackle this issue, Mason Graham is a standout prospect, but he might not be available by the time they get their seventh pick.
Right Tackle
Former GM Joe Douglas spent a lot of his tenure addressing the offensive line, and while he made significant progress in his final year, there’s still a vacancy at right tackle. With Morgan Moses securing a deal with the Patriots, the Jets have a gap to fill.
Chukwuma Okorafor, with 60 career starts but only one last season, has been signed but is more likely a backup than a starting asset. Notable options like Jedrick Wills, a former first-rounder typically playing left tackle, and others like Germain Ifedi, Dillon Radunz, and Kendall Lamm are available.
Wide Receiver
The narrative of Fields reuniting with Garrett Wilson can only hold if Fields has sufficient targets. With Davante Adams released and Allen Lazard likely soon to follow, Wilson, alongside Xavier Gipson and Malachi Corley, needs more support.
Bringing in Tim Patrick, who has past connections with Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, could be a way forward, though he’s not ideally filling the No. 2 receiver spot.
The most prominent receivers in free agency – Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Cooper Kupp – are over 30. Signing them might not align with the Jets’ strategic direction, so exploring trade options could be a path for Mougey to consider.
Tight End
One viable route is re-signing Tyler Conklin, who hit free agency on Wednesday and has been reliable over three years with the team. However, free agency doesn’t boast many appealing tight end prospects, with Mo Allie-Cox and Gerald Everett as notable options.
The Raiders might make Michael Mayer available for trade, and if so, the Jets should investigate. Draft-wise, Tyler Warren from Penn State is an option for their seventh pick.
Safety
Even with the acquisition of Andre Cisco, the tendering of Tony Adams, and the re-signing of versatile Isaiah Oliver, there’s more work needed at safety. Familiar faces like Justin Simmons from Denver at 31, along with Julian Blackmon and Marcus Epps, present additional considerations.
