Jets' offseason checklist: Calling all safeties

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound safety entered the combine with a late-first, early-second round grade but some believe he could go sooner after his combine performance. Depending on what happens at the top of the draft, the Jets could possibly trade back and still get their man.

2. Find a quarterback

Fans must have been thrilled to see ESPN’s Mel Kiper and NFL.com’s Lance Zierline hand Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders to their team in their latest mock drafts, at least until SNY’s Connor Hughes poured cold water on the idea.

"The Jets are far more likely to dabble in the second-tier-veteran-quarterback market, sources who met with the team in Indianapolis told SNY," Hughes said. “They came away from those meetings believing that the Jets' plan is to pair Tyrod Taylor with another veteran and then draft someone on Day 2.”

Hughes named Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota and Carson Wentz as possible options but of the three, only Fields will move the needle for long-suffering Jets fans.

3. Pay WR Garrett Wilson

Per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Wilson has caught passes from eight different quarterbacks with three different wide receivers coaches and three different play-callers in his short career. Despite that, he’s one of only five wide receivers in NFL history to record at least 80 receptions, 1,000 yards and three touchdowns in each of his first three seasons. 

He should be rewarded. The team can keep Wilson through 2026 by picking up his fifth-year option for $17M but as Rosenblatt points out, wide receivers like A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin all signed extensions prior to their fourth season. 

4. Sign an offensive tackle

Aside from rookie tackle Olu Fashanu, New York’s offensive line played below expectations in 2024. Free agent tackles Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith aren’t likely to return, which means the team will need to add at least one offensive tackle. 

Fortunately, talented players like Baltimore’s Ronnie Stanley and Minnesota’s Cam Robinson are available in free agency and prospects such as North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel and Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. may be available in the second round of the draft.

5. Get something for WR Davante Adams

The Jets are now listening to trade offers and plan to release Adams if they cannot find a suitor, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Adams carries a $38.2M salary cap number but has no guaranteed money for 2025. New York can shave $36M off its salary cap if they release him after June 1. 

The 33-year-old, three-time All-Pro only came to New York to play with departing quarterback Aaron Rodgers and would surely prefer another team. The 49ers dealt wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick over the weekend. The Jets should expect to see similar offers.