Offseason Outlook: Steps to Building a Jets Contender

Our crash course on the moves the New York Jets should make to improve their roster and become a Super Bowl contender this season.

Author:
Nick Faria
Publish date:
Feb 18, 2024 2:00 PM EST

In this story:

New York Jets

The New York Jets need to do a lot this offseason to make themselves contenders.

Whether it's solidifying the offensive line, or solving their receiving problems, general manager Joe Douglas has his work cut out for him in what could be his final offseason with New York if they can't go far in next year's playoffs.

Luckily for Douglas and the Jets themselves, there are a few sure-fire moves that should not only enhance their ability to succeed this season but help their long-term future as well.

Today, we break down where the Jets' cap (and draft) situation currently stands, and what moves should be expected in the coming months.

Jets' general manager Joe Douglas (far left) claps during Aaron Rodgers' introductory press conference — Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets Current Assets

Salary Cap Space: $7.56 million

Draft Picks: Five (Three Compensatory Picks)

1st Round - 10th Overall
3rd Round - 72nd Overall
4th Round - 112th Overall
4th Round - 114th Overall
6th Round - 187th Overall

Pending Free Agents: DE Carl Lawson, LT Duane Brown, SS Jordan Whitehead, S Chuck Clark, DE Bryce Huff, DT Quinton Jefferson, WR Randall Cobb, K Greg Zeurlein, DE Solomon Thomas, CB Justin Hardee, DT Al Woods, C Connor McGovern, RT Billy Turner, TE Kenny Yeboah, S Ashtyn Davis, P Thomas Morstead, QB Trevor Siemian, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, CB Javelin Guidry Jr., OG Jake Hanson, DE Bradlee Anae, CB Bryce Hall, TE Zack Kuntz, OG Xavier Newman-Johnson, OT Mekhi Becton

Biggest Needs: LT, OG, WR, S, DT

The biggest needs for the Jets center around the offensive line and receiving room. While second-round center Joe Tippmann and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker can be considered day-one starters for the O-Line, tackles and a potential upgrader at left guard are musts. Needing a second receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson is also another top need for the franchise. Outside of the top needs on offense, finding another defensive tackle to pair with Quinnen Williams, and a starter at safety is also very important.

Pending Contract Restructures (Via Spotrac and OverTheCap)

LB C.J. Mosley ($10.5 million)

DE John Franklin-Myers ($6.5 million)

LG Laken Tomlinson ($8.5 million)

DT Quinnen Williams ($11 million)

Cap Saved: $36.5 million

New Cap Space: $44 million

Free Agent Signings

QB Ryan Tannehill: Two-year, $11 million total deal

New York has learned their lesson about the importance of having a backup quarterback. With Todd Downing remaining (and Keith Carter), it makes sense to bring a veteran with plenty of starting experience.

RB AJ Dillon: One-year, $3 million total deal

Securing a backup running back behind Breece Hall makes a lot of sense. Especially one of Dillon's physicality. The Green Bay connection with Rodgers also helps here.

WR Tee Higgins: Four-year, $88 million total deal

$22 million a year seems like a steep price to pay for a wide receiver, but the Jets need players like Higgins to help their passing attack. He would instantly pair with Wilson to be a top receiver duo with a Hall-of-Fame quarterback throwing them the ball.

OT David Bakhtiari: One-year, $6 million total deal

OG Connor McGovern: One-year, $2 million total deal

Spoiler alert, the Jets aren't going to completely solve their offensive line problems in free agency. There aren't any top offensive linemen the team is going to be able to spend money on. Instead, New York can make some quality signings without breaking the bank and improving the group as a whole.

First, with Bakhtiari expecting to be released by the Packers this offseason, it makes sense for the Jets to bring him in to play with Rodgers again. Injury concerns aside, the All-Pro tackle will cost more than say Donovan Smith, but

When it comes to the interior, McGovern is a quality starter who has experience in almost every interior position. Backing up Tippmann with a veteran leader makes a lot of sense.

S Chuck Clark: One-year, $1.5 million deal

S Ashtyn Davis: Two-year, $5.5 million deal

Jordan Whitehead is expected to get a large contract elsewhere as a solid starting safety. If the Jets can't bring him back, resigning Clark and Davis are musts for the front office. Clark was expected to be an underrated trade for the team last offseason but suffered an ACL injury back in OTAs. Bringing a playmaker like Davis back as well makes a lot of sense for the team long-term.

DT Solomon Thomas: One-year, $1.5 million deal

DT Johnathan Hankins: One-year, $1 million deal

Thomas being a team leader means there is a good chance of the organization keeping him next year on a low deal. Hankins is past his prime like Al Woods was, but he's the kind of veteran presence at tackle that the team needs.

K Greg Zuerlein: One-year, $1 million deal

P Thomas Morstead: One-year, $1 million deal

Bringing back one of the top special teams units in the league is a no-brainer...right?

Mock Draft

1st Round (10th Overall) - OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State

3rd Round (72nd Overall) - OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

4th Round (112th Overall) - WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville

4th Round (114th Overall) - S Cole Bishop, Utah

6th Round (187th Overall) - QB Jordan Travis, FSU

6th Round (Comp TBD) - DT Justin Rodgers, Auburn

7th Round (Comp TBD) - OG Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky

7th Round (Comp TBD) - DE Gabriel Murphy, UCLA

There is a chance that the Jets do not end up with one of the top left tackles from the class, but it's clear that the organization is going to attack the position in the draft. Other selections to the safety, receiver, and defensive line rooms will also be expected.