The big changes at the free agency are over and there are still five weeks to go. The general manager of jets, Joe Douglas, made some splashes at the free agency, but there are still many holes in the list.
Here is a look at the biggest areas of need remaining:
1. Cornerback: At the moment, the Jets designed to start are Bless Austin and Bryce Hall. Both showed potential after recovering from devastating injuries in college, but neither proved that he is a long-term response on the job. The Jets like their potential, but they really need to add some experience in this position. The problem is that, to begin with, this was a very weak position in the free agency this year, and what remains now are players who have passed their heyday. They could add Richard Sherman, who knows about Robert Saleh’s San Francisco scheme, but how much does he still have? They will probably do a cornerback in the first three rounds, but that will not help in the inexperience of the room. They can still bring back Brian Poole, who has been playing the slot machine for two years and is currently a free agent. The Jets need to hope that their rebuilt defensive line receives enough pressure in the quarterback to take some of their secondary.
2. Guard: This is another position where it is easy to shout that Douglas needs to catch up, but how? Joe Thuney received $ 16 million a year from the Chiefs. Douglas would have to pop that offer to make Thuney choose the Jets under reconstruction over the AFC champion champions. After Thuney, there was a huge drop in the position of free agency. The Jets hired Dan Feeney to compete with starters Alex Lewis and Greg Van Roten in the position. This is another position that Douglas needs to address at the start of the draft, but he will not be able to fill all of these holes at the start, even with five choices in the first three rounds.
3. Linebacker: No defense position is more affected by the change of coach than the linebacker. The change from 3-4 to 4-3 means that many of the players that the Jets had in position are no longer suitable. They added Jarrad Davis on a free agency and CJ Mosley (unless he’s negotiated) should be back. They still need to add in this position, even if they are just depth signings now. Blake Cashman could be the third starter, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his two years in the NFL.
4. Running back: Kyle Shanahan’s attack is based on having a good running game, and it usually means having a stable on your back. The Jets hired Tevin Coleman, the ex-49er, on Wednesday, and he joined La’Mical Perine, Ty Johnson and Josh Adams on the list. The options at the free agency were not good in position, and there are always backs to be found in the draft. It will be interesting to see if Douglas takes a general No. 23 back, like Travis Etienne from Clemson or Najee Harris from Alabama, or if he waits and tries to find a gem in the middle rounds.
5. Quarterback booking: While most of the off-season focus is on what the Jets will do as a full-back, whoever needs a good backup. The Jets haven’t won a game with a reserve quarterback since 2016. It’s been a problem. Joe Flacco, last year’s reserve, signed with the Eagles, and now the Jets need to find a veteran to join James Morgan behind Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson or anyone else. The best veterans still available are Alex Smith, Nick Mullens, Colt McCoy and Chase Daniel.