3 free agents NY Jets DC Steve Wilks could bring with him to New York

The NY Jets are finally starting to finalize some new additions to their coaching staff after Aaron Glenn's introductory press conference. Detroit Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden will coach the offensive line, longtime player and Denver Broncos assistant Chris Banjo will be in charge of special teams, and Steve Wilks was hired as defensive coordinator.

Wilks, who has past head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, spent his last two pro seasons in charge of Carolina's secondary and putting up respectable numbers as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator.

While Glenn and GM Darren Mougey will have final say over what this roster looks like, Wilks will undoubtedly bang the table for some of his guys from previous stops in Carolina and San Francisco in 2025. These three free agents might be down for a reunion with Wilks in New York.

3 free agents who could follow Steve Wilks to the NY Jets

3. EDGE Clelin Ferrell

Ferrell has bounced back nicely after his shocking No. 4 overall selection, as he has morphed from a huge bust to a respectable edge-setting lineman. Ferrell, who started all 17 games for Wilks during his lone season in San Francisco, tallied 16 pressures and 3.5 sacks with the Washington Commanders in 2024.

Due to Will McDonald's poor run defense and Jermaine Johnson's unknown status coming off an Achilles injury, the Jets will need to bring in one more edge setter. Ferrell will never be TJ Watt, but he has been able to establish himself as a role player that Wilks will lean on in his four-down linemen scheme.

2. LB Shaq Thompson

The last few years of Thompson's career have been brutal, as he has played just six games in the last two seasons due to injuries. Anyone who brings him in needs to know that he is nothing more than a one-year lottery ticket. Wilks, who helped draft Thompson and coach him as a veteran, might be willing.

As far as veteran backups go, someone who was as prolific a tackler and coverage star as Thompson was in his prime could be much worse. With C.J. Mosley likely biting the dust as a cap casualty, having Thompson aid Jamien Sherwood in his transition to a full-time starter could be invaluable.

1. CB Donte Jackson

Jackson may not have evolved into the star that Carolina expected, but he was always a respectable starting corner in the NFL and put on more of the same after being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past season. If D.J. Reed doesn't stay, Jackson could be a solid CB2 alternative.

Jackson has some of the best long speed of any outside corner in the league, and he may have had his best individual season in Pittsburgh. Wilks, a former defensive backs coach, could once again pick up one of his more prized pupils in Jackson.

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