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When you look at the Jets’ free agent class, one thing the team’s brass accomplished with this group is not getting enough attention.
J*E*T*S, Depth, Depth, Depth!
With a lot of cap space, instead of spending the lion’s share of the money on a big-ticket free agent or two, they spread the money around, and not only filled several starting spots, but should help their depth a great deal.
Not only did they have some issues with several starting spots, but their depth was a big problem last year.
And the depth issues didn’t just manifest themselves when starters got hurt, but at rotational positions.
The defensive line is a perfect example.
In the NFL, defensive line rotations are huge, and the Jets’ D-Line depth could have been better last year.
Granted, the starters didn’t have a great season, but when the backups came in, there was a big drop-off, even from an average starting group.
The D-Line depth chart wasn’t constructed ideally.
Some mistakes were made, and like they say, “action speaks louder than words.”
There wasn’t much talk about the issues during last season, but look at the team’s actions this offseason.
The team’s brass knew they had to roll up their sleeves and fix their D-Line.
First, they traded former first-round pick, defensive end Jermaine Johnson, to the Tennessee Titans, for massive, run-stuffing nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat (6-4, 366). and then signed defensive tackle David Onyemata, an excellent veteran run-stuffer.
And by adding these two guys, this all of a sudden created the kind of defensive tackle rotation they desperately needed last year, because the starting DT tandem from the second half of last year, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, are now likely the 3rd and 4th DTs. Those are better roles for them.
So now, on paper, the Jets have a better DT rotation than last year, and they rotate DTs an awful lot.
Right out of the gate in free agency, they signed defensive ends Joseph Ossai (Cincinnati) and Kingley Enagbare (Green Bay). Both of these players have started games over their first four years in the league, but have been #3 defensive ends for a big chunk of their NFL careers.
Now, there is a good chance one of them will start for the Jets, likely Ossai, but let’s say they draft a defensive end with the #2 pick, and depending on how they handle Will McDonald, there is a scenario where Ossai and Enagbare could be the #3 and #4 ends.
And if that is the case, their rotation at the end position will be much better than last year.
Just to show you how much rotational defensive linemen play, over the last three years with the Packers, Enegbare played 45 percent of the snaps.
Last year, the Jets had some UDFAs and Michael Clemons as their main rotational ends. Clemons is more of a DT, and the other guys played hard, but were over their skis at times.
Now the Jets should have a defensive end rotation where no matter how they decide to stack the depth chart, it should be more consistent than last year no matter who is out there.
Another example of free agency improving their depth at a position that desperately needs it is at safety.
The depth chart at this position wasn’t ideal last year.
Malachi Moore is a nice developmental prospect, but he was not ready to be the first guy in at the position, if there was an injury or line-up change, and that is what happened when he replaced Tony Adams. Moore wasn’t ready to start.
So far in 2026, you can see they want a stronger depth chart at safety, trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick, signing Dane Belton, and re-signing Andrew Cisco.
And now they can take it slower with Moore, have him in the #4 spot, and as a core special teams player.
So while not all the Jets’ signings were sexy big-name additions, there is no doubt they have used their resources to create a lot better depth at a few positions.
March 15, 2026
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