NY Jets send crystal-clear message to these 5 players with NFL Draft choices

The New York Jets entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear plan in mind — find foundational building blocks and reshape the roster around a new core.

With a focus on athleticism, upside, and long-term stability, the Jets came away with a draft class that addressed key needs while also sending strong signals about the future of several players already on the roster.

Whether it was bolstering the offensive line, adding new playmakers, or strengthening the defense, the Jets’ selections made it clear who they’re prioritizing and who might now find themselves on notice.

Here are five players the Jets sent a crystal-clear message to with their 2025 NFL Draft choices.

NY Jets sent obvious messages to these five players in the 2025 NFL Draft

1. QB Justin Fields

The Jets’ draft strategy sent a loud and clear vote of confidence in Justin Fields. While it always seemed unlikely that the team would invest a premium pick in a quarterback this year, the Jets doubled down on that belief by not selecting a single QB across all seven rounds.

Even as Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders shockingly slid into the fifth round, the Jets stayed true to their plan and showed no interest in adding competition for Fields.

Whether Fields proves to be the Jets' long-term answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — the team is committed to giving him every opportunity to succeed.

By reinforcing the offensive line and adding new weapons around him, the Jets are intent on finding out exactly what they have in Fields without muddying the picture with a crowded quarterback room.

2. RB Breece Hall

Breece Hall’s future in New York was the subject of trade rumors leading into the draft, and there was some buzz that the Jets could look to add a running back early.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty was a popular name linked to the team, although he was ultimately drafted one pick before the Jets were even on the clock at No. 6. Still, there was always a possibility the Jets could look elsewhere to reshape their backfield.

Instead, they sent a very different message. Not only did the Jets hold onto Hall, but they also didn’t draft a single running back in any round. As of now, this remains Breece Hall’s backfield, and barring a surprise move, he’ll enter the 2025 season as the clear centerpiece of the Jets' rushing attack.

3. CB Brandon Stephens

The Jets handed Brandon Stephens a surprising three-year, $36 million contract this offseason, a deal many around the league viewed as a significant overpay.

The hope was that under Aaron Glenn’s guidance, Stephens could develop into a true CB2 alongside Sauce Gardner. But when Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas unexpectedly fell into their laps in the third round, the Jets wasted no time scooping up the talented young cornerback.

Stephens still projects as the starter for now, but the Jets made it very clear they have high expectations for Thomas. Before Stephens has even played a snap in green and white, he’s officially been put on notice.

4. TE Jeremy Ruckert

Jeremy Ruckert entered draft weekend as the Jets’ de facto starting tight end, and when the team passed on Penn State’s Tyler Warren in the first round, there was a glimmer of hope he might hold onto the job.

That optimism quickly vanished on Day 2 when the Jets selected LSU’s Mason Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick. While Ruckert may technically enter the summer atop the depth chart, it likely won’t stay that way for long.

Taylor projects as the Jets’ immediate starter, leaving Ruckert to compete with free-agent addition Stone Smartt for backup reps in a suddenly much deeper tight end room.

5. OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Much like Ruckert, Chukwuma Okorafor entered the draft as a penciled-in starter, in his case, at right tackle. While it always seemed likely the Jets would address the position at some point, there was a belief that if they waited until Day 2 or 3, Okorafor might still have a chance to compete for the job.

That all changed when the Jets selected Missouri’s Armand Membou with the No. 7 overall pick.

Membou is expected to step in as the Jets' immediate starting right tackle, relegating Okorafor to a bench role. It would take a major upset for Membou not to be in the starting lineup by Week 1.