Wednesday Whispers – By no means is their work done . . .

The Jets’ front office was very active this offseason, adding defensive players.

You see, while a defensive coordinator change was made, the issues weren’t all scheme-related, but also player-personnel related.

Last year’s Jets defense had a lot of holes.

They signed defensive ends Joseph Ossai and Kingley Engabare, along with defensive tackle David Onyemata, and also traded for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. So, it’s possible they could come out in Week 1 with four new starters on their defensive line. Of course, they could add an edge-rusher with the second pick overall. As for edge-rusher Will McDonald, he needs to be moved to a situational pass-rusher role. Due to no fault of his own, he’s just not big enough to be base end.

At linebacker, they added DeMario Davis to start at middle linebacker, traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will both start to sure up the middle of the Jets defense, along with Onyemata and Sweat.

Also added were free agent safety Dane Belton and cornerback Nahshon Wright, who will challenge for starting jobs.

As much as the fantasy football crowd, and the reporters who chose to ignore how much their QB situation last year hurt their receivers, you could make a strong argument that they should pick defensive players with their four picks in the top 44 (if that is where the value board points).

If the grade is close between two players on the value board, they should err on the side of defense.

Aside from likely picking an edge-rusher at 2, they also desperately need an instinctive coverage linebacker to team with Davis.

The Jets’ pass coverage at linebacker last year was substandard. Just pop in a tape of the Jacksonville game if you need a refresher course.

So, to me, one of their first four picks must be a linebacker if the value board matches up with the need. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez at 44 could be perfect.

They could also use a safety with elite instincts. Fitzpatrick is a solid player, but it remains to be seen what they are getting at this stage of his career at 30. He’s essentially on this third team in two years.

Not saying the Jets should pick Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman at 16, but they need to think about it. Man, do they need a young safety like this – a ballhawk with top-shelf instincts.

They also need another game-wrecking defensive tackle. Onyemata and Sweat are both only locked up for one year. There are a lot of talented DTs who fit in around the first half of the second round, where the Jets have two picks. Adding a freakish DT with the feet of a dancing bear at the top of the second round would be a smart move. Aside from Onyemata and Sweat being on one-year deals, key backup Harrison Phillips is also only signed through this season, and has some wear and tear after eight seasons in the league.

From the defensive tackles group of Georgia’s Christen Miller, Clemson’s Peter Woods, Florida’s Caleb Banks, and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter, a couple of these guys are likely going to still be on the board when the Jets pick at 33 or 44.

The Jets could also use another cornerback.

Don’t think for one second they are all set on defense because of how active they were in free agency on this side of the ball. Half the guys they signed could end up being rotational players. The Jets’ depth should be a lot better this year on defense.

What about QB in the first two rounds?

Perhaps not.

The head coach just said that Geno Smith can “take them to the promised land.” Smith is only 35. If they feel they have a 35-year-old QB who can “take them to the promised land,” why draft a QB in the first two rounds? 35 is not that old for a QB.

If the head coach believes this strongly in Smith, who’s to say he can’t be their QB for the next 2-3 years?

But the bottom line is this team still has a lot of work to do on defense, regardless of what they did in free agency.

April 15, 2026

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