Jets’ DL overhaul quietly solves a bigger problem even Arvell Reese can’t fix

With each passing day, it seems more and more likely that the New York Jets will be selecting Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese with the second overall pick. Coming from a similar background and possessing elite talent, Reese has long drawn comparisons to Green Bay Packers superstar Micah Parsons.

The Jets desperately need a talent like that on the edge. Reese could become the best Gang Green pass rusher since John Abraham more than two and a half decades ago. The superstar presence will be a nice addition, assuming we aren't thrown some curveball, but it wasn't the only thing needed along the defensive front.

New York suffered last season with players like Michael Clemons, Tyler Barron, Braiden McGregor, and Eric Watts logging significant snaps on the edge. On the interior, the depth thinned out following the Quinnen Williams trade, allowing for Jay Tufele, Khalen Saunders, and others to flounder in the middle far too often.

On defense, New York regularly lost the war in the trenches. They finished 31st in the league in sacks with 26 and allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game at 139.5. One player, no matter how much potential or talent he has, was never going to fix the issue.

The Jets have made a concerted effort to build defensive line depth that will be augmented by drafting Arvell Reese

The Jets began this reenvisioning of the defensive line two weeks ago when they shipped Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for T'Vondre Sweat. At over 360 pounds, Sweat gives them something they didn't have before, a true nose tackle. He'll also unlock some versatility along the front, allowing Aaron Glenn to employ both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts.

Now, with the legal tampering upon us, Darren Mougey has brought three more beefy linemen into the fold. The Jets agreed to terms on a three-year, $36 million deal ($22.5 million guaranteed) with former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Joseph Ossai. The 26-year-old will give them a larger presence on the edge, who can contribute both as a pass rusher and as an edge-setter against the run.

Shortly thereafter, the team came to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract for edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. A reliable depth piece, who is also 26 and also contributes in both facets, Enagbare further bolsters the defensive end depth.

Next, the Jets leveraged an Aaron Glenn connection to land defensive tackle David Onyemata for one year and $10.5 million. The 33-year-old might not put up a stat line that jumps off the page at you, but he's a savvy and consistent performer who was the eighth-highest graded defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus in 2025.

As bad as things were, the Jets weren't completely devoid of talent on the defensive line either. Harrison Phillips is a rock-solid veteran. Jowon Briggs blossomed into one of the most disruptive pass rushers on the interior last season. Will McDonald looks a lot better in a speed-rush specialist role.

Adding four new above-average linemen with diverse skill sets to the mix will prevent New York from having to lean on late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents, and underwhelming veterans for depth as they have in the past.

The assumed addition of Reese will add the starpower on top, but Mougey went out and intentionally built depth and versatility to complete the puzzle. Now, the Jets' defensive front will be ready and able to match up with whatever is thrown at them and dominate in the process.