Jets' Last-Minute Guide to 2024 NFL Free Agency
Virtually nothing went according to plan for the New York Jets in 2023. Prized trade acquisition and new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear mere plays into the campaign, and everything else unraveled from there.
The Jets finished with a disappointing 7-10 record, and while their third-ranked defense was again solid, it couldn't carry what was one of the worst offenses in the league.
Rodgers will be back for another run, as are head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. However, New York can't simply hope that having a healthy quarterback will be enough to make it a title contender.
There's work to be done, and it will officially begin when free agency opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Here, you'll find one final look at the Jets' biggest needs, top impending free agents, potential targets and cap situation before the legal-contact period opens on Monday.
Overview
1 of 3
Projected Cap Space: $27.5 Million
New York's biggest goals this offseason will include building around Rodgers and a defensive core that was good but not quite elite in 2023 (12th in points allowed.
Offensively, that means putting more playmakers around Rodgers and retooling a lackluster offensive line. Defensively, that means re-signing a few key players and continuing to augment the key building blocks.
Fortunately, Douglas and the Jets have a fair bit of cap space with which to work. The Jets helped improve their cap situation, though, by releasing durable starting guard Laken Tomlinson, which creates another need along the line.
New York can address a few needs in April's draft, where it holds the 10th overall selection. Make no mistake, though, the Jets are in win-now mode with Rodgers in the fold, and they'll covet players who can contribute immediately.
While the Jets have the cap space to be players on the open market, they may not be able to afford to chase some of the top free agents in free agency's first wave.
Notable Free Agents
2 of 3
OT Mekhi Becton
OT Duane Brown
CB Bryce Hall
Edge Bryce Huff
DT Quinton Jefferson
C Connor McGovern
DL Solomon Thomas
S Jordan Whitehead
While the Jets aren't exactly loaded with cap space, they don't have a ton of impending free agents that have to be addressed.
The one exception is rotational pass-rusher Bryce Huff, who could be one of the most coveted free agents on the market. While the 25-year-old hasn't become a full-time player just yet, he's tremendously good at getting after opposing quarterbacks.
Huff finished the 2023 season with 10 sacks and 33 quarterback pressures while playing 42 percent of the defensive snaps.
Jordan Whitehead is an underrated and versatile safety who might have more value to the Jets than other teams. Keeping him, Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas to maintain defensive continuity could make sense. The Jets will also have to consider retaining center Connor McGovern.
However, Huff is the only player New York should be willing to overspend on—and it might have to. With Brian Burns and Josh Allen both receiving the franchise tag, Huff becomes one of the top pass-rushers on the market.
Biggest Needs and Potential Targets
3 of 3
Offensive Tackle
If the Jets are banking on Rodgers making them a playoff contender, they have to upgrade the offensive line. New York surrendered 64 sacks in 2023, and even Rodgers couldn't thrive behind the line it featured.
Left tackle is the biggest need because the Jets simply haven't found a permanent fixture there. Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker moved over to right tackle last season but suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.
The Jets may look at the draft's top tackles in April, but it's imperative that they lock down one starting spot before then. While the free agent market isn't ideal, starting-caliber tackles like Jermaine Eluemunor, Jonah Williams, Trent Brown and Tyron Smith are slated to be available.
Wide Receiver
The Jets have one tremendous receiver in Garrett Wilson and, well, not a lot else. Wilson was the only wideout to top 350 receiving yards in 2023, and Allen Lazard was next among Jets receivers with just 311 yards.
A lack of reliable receivers played a role in Rodgers' struggles in his final season with the Green Bay Packers, and the Jets cannot afford a similar situation in 2024. Unfortunately, the receiver pool has dwindled in recent days with Mike Evans getting an extension and Tee Higgins both getting the franchise tag.
The 2024 free agent class will now be headlined by the likes of Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, Gabe Davis and Josh Reynolds.
Safety
New York may have a serious need at safety even if it retains Whitehead. Strong safety. The Jets struggled to find a consistent running mate for Whitehead in 2023 and could lose both Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis in free agency.
The safety market has also dwindled some with Antoine Winfield Jr. getting the franchise tag and Kyle Dugger receiving the transition tag—which, in turn, may make it more difficult to re-sign Whitehead.
However, the Jets can potentially bolster their defensive backfield by adding a free agent like Geno Stone, Kamren Curl or Justin Simmons in the coming days.
*Cap information via Spotrac.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
