5 Lions free agents the NY Jets could poach to reunite with Aaron Glenn

The NY Jets will start fresh in 2025 with a new head coach and what’s expected to be a revamped roster. Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff will assess the team's current players, but a significant roster overhaul is likely this offseason.

Glenn and the Jets might look to make some additions in free agency. The Jets don't figure to be prominent contenders in 2025 and will have to navigate a somewhat tricky financial situation, but that doesn't mean they won't be players on the open market.

Glenn could look to reunite with many a few players that he coached in Detroit, much like former head coach Robert Saleh did with his ex-49ers players when he first joined the Jets.

Who are some top Detroit Lions free agents Jets fans should keep an eye on? We take a close look at five Lions players Glenn and the Jets could poach in free agency this offseason.

Lions free agents that Aaron Glenn's NY Jets could sign

5. Ifeatu Melifonwu, SAF

Ifeatu Melifonwu has been coached by Aaron Glenn for the entirety of his NFL career to this point. A converted cornerback, Melifonwu switched to safety ahead of the 2022 season and has developed into a valuable and versatile depth piece for Detroit.

The former Syracuse star finished the 2023 season as Pro Football Focus' ninth-highest-graded safety and was able to play all 17 games for the first time in his career. The issue with Melifonwu has been availability.

Melifonwu has only played more than 10 games once in his career and appeared in just three games in 2024 due to multiple injuries. The Lions already have one of the best safety duos in the NFL in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, which could make Melifonwu expendable.

Still, at just 25 years old, it might be worth taking a chance on Melifonwu's upside. He likely wouldn't be opposed to reuniting with a coach he knows very well.

4. Carlton Davis, CB

One of Detroit's most high-profile free agents this offseason will be cornerback Carlton Davis. The Lions acquired Davis in a trade last March, and the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star quickly became one of his team's key defensive cornerstones.

Davis proved to be a perfect fit in Glenn's man-heavy scheme, posting a 74.5 PFF grade which was the highest of his entire NFL career. He's expected to be one of the top cornerbacks on the open market.

The Jets could be looking for cornerback help this offseason, with D.J. Reed likely set to depart in free agency. Davis' ties to Glenn make him an obvious candidate to replace Reed if the Jets are willing to pay up.

It remains to be seen if the Jets are open to paying a good chunk of money to a 28-year-old cornerback, but Glenn would likely be very open to a reunion with Davis in 2025.

3. Levi Onwuzurike, DT

One of the top priorities for the Jets this offseason should be revamping their defensive line. A position that was once a strength of the roster was completely torn apart due to a series of shortsighted moves last offseason.

Don't be surprised if Glenn and the Jets turn to the Lions in search of help. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike is coming off a career year in 2024 and is an intriguing option for a Jets team in search of interior help.

Onwuzurike has battled injuries throughout his career — a common trend on this list — but stayed healthy this past season and was an important constant in an injury-riddled Lions front seven.

The former Washington star is probably best as a 3-tech pass rusher which may not fit the archetype the Jets are going for, but he plays a position of need and has familiarity with the coaching staff. He should be one of the better interior defensive linemen available on the open market.

2. Derrick Barnes, LB

Another member of Detroit's 2021 draft class who has played his entire career under Aaron Glenn is linebacker Derrick Barnes. A fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Barnes developed into an important player in the Lions' defense over the last few years.

Glenn introduced an expanded role for the SAM linebacker in his defense heading into the 2024 season due in large part to his desire to get Barnes on the field more. Unfortunately, he'd suffer a knee injury in Week 3 and miss the remainder of the year.

Barnes was a versatile piece in Glenn's defense, showcasing an ability to play both off-ball linebacker and even a little as a pass rusher. At just 25 years old, he will come at a cheaper price than pending free agent Jamien Sherwood.

Barnes makes sense as either a versatile third linebacker — a position Glenn used quite a bit in Detroit — or as a potential replacement for Sherwood. He's someone to keep a very close eye on.

1. Marcus Davenport, DE

The only pending Lions free agent to be coached by Aaron Glenn on multiple different teams is Marcus Davenport. Injuries have derailed the career of Davenport, who was once drafted to be Cameron Jordan's potential replacement in New Orleans some seven years ago.

Davenport has flashed his upside when healthy, including a nine-sack campaign with the Saints in just 11 games in 2021. Unfortunately, he's played just six games over the last two years as a result of multiple major injuries.

The Jets need to find ways to bolster their defensive line this offseason, and taking a chance on a talent like Davenport makes sense. He's unlikely to garner significant interest on the free-agent market given his extensive injury history.

Davenport's experience with Glenn both in New Orleans and later Detroit makes him an obvious free-agent target for the Jets. When healthy, Davenport can still be an impact player and a key part of any pass-rush rotation.