NY Jets news: Jets eyeing Oregon TE, Thomas Morstead competition, top-30 visits

Jets eyeing Oregon TE
Thomas Morstead has some competition
Jets schedule top-30 visits

Justin Fried

Terrance Ferguson / Ric Tapia/GettyImages

The New York Jets are looking for ways to upgrade their tight end room this offseason, and a loaded 2025 NFL Draft class presents a very appealing option. The team already seems to be doing its due diligence on many of the top names in the class.

Jets tight ends coach Jeff Blasko was one of the individuals in attendance for Oregon's pro day on Tuesday, likely eyeing Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson is widely seen as a potential Day 2 pick in this year's draft.

At 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Ferguson was named first-team All-Pac 12 in 2023 and third-team All-Big Ten in 2024. His stock is on the rise following a stellar performance at the NFL Combine that saw him register a staggering 9.84 RAS. That ranks 20th out of all 1,218 tight end prospects since 1987.

The Jets signed former Los Angeles Chargers standout Stone Smartt in free agency and still have Jeremy Ruckert on the roster, but the team is likely to continue adding to the position group. Ferguson is evidently someone they have their eyes on.

Other NY Jets news:

Jets sign Thomas Morstead competition

The Jets handed out a number of low-risk, one-year deals to bottom-tier free agents last week, but one interesting signing flew a little under the radar. The Jets signed former Texas Tech punter Austin McNamara to a one-year deal.

McNamara was a three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and the 2023 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year at Texas Tech before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent last spring.

McNamara was released in August after failing to win the job and spent the remainder of the year out of football until he was signed by the Jets last week. The move signals the Jets could be looking to replace the incumbent Thomas Morstead.

Morstead, who turned 39 years old this month, is the oldest player on the roster and is coming off an admittedly down year. The Jets have brought in some competition for the 17-year veteran this summer.

Jets have first official top-30 visit

Draft season has officially arrived. The Jets reportedly scheduled their first two top-30 visits of the year this week, meeting with Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, per The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler, and Fresno State safety Dean Clark, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Smith spent the first four years of his career at Georgia as a depth piece before breaking out in 2024. The former high school track star finished the year with 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games.

Clark spent four years at Kent State before transferring and starting his final two years of collegiate eligibility at Fresno State. At 6-foot-1, 206 pounds, Clark posted a 9.35 RAS and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Neither Smith nor Clark is expected to be a high pick in this year's draft, but both players could be targets on Day 3. The Jets notably held top-30 visits with Malachi Corley, Jordan Travis, and Qwan'Tez Stiggers last year.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.