4 free agents who could reunite with Robert Saleh and the NY Jets

Connections are everything in the NFL. That notion is no different when it comes to the NY Jets, especially when referring to Robert Saleh and the coaching staff.

Rumors circulated last offseason that the Jets could look to reunite Saleh with a number of his former players from his time with the San Francisco 49ers.

Ultimately, the Jets largely stayed away from former 49ers players, although they did add a few in the form of running back Tevin Coleman, defensive end Ronald Blair, running back Austin Walter, and even safety Kai Nacua.

Those connections could play a role again this offseason as the Jets continue their quest to upgrade their roster. Former associates of Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur could be reunited with their ex-coaches in New York.

The players on this list aren't just going to be any former 49ers, however. The four players we're going to discuss do fill actual holes and could be legitimate targets of the Jets.

They may not all be stars, but all of them will contribute.

With that, let's take a look at four former 49ers the Jets could reunite with Robert Saleh and co. this offseason.

4. NY Jets target: Jaquiski Tartt, S

The Jets are going to need safety help this offseason. Marcus Maye is a free agent, and while the veteran safety has tanked his value, it's hard to see either side being too interested in a return.

Maye is coming off a torn Achilles, has legal trouble that will likely see him suspended in the near future, and wasn't even playing that well prior to his injury. That bridge is probably burned at this point.

That means the Jets could realistically be looking for two new starting safeties. Perhaps they turn to a familiar face in Jaquiski Tartt to help bolster their safety room.

Tartt has spent his entire seven-year career with the 49ers originally being drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He's started 64 of 80 career games battling injuries, but when on the field, he's been a capable starter.

Tartt is a physical player who has never been one to shy away from contact. He might not be able to fill the Marcus Maye role in the Jets' defense, but he can provide a solid veteran presence in the form of someone with plenty of starting experience.

His recent injury history is a bit of a concern, however. Tartt hasn't played 15 or more games since 2015 and has appeared in just 50 of a possible 81 games since the start of the 2016 season.

The Jets shouldn't rely on Tartt to be a true upgrade. They would be better off pairing him with a rookie in the draft so the two can compete for the starting job.

It's unlikely Tartt will be asking for a lot of money, and a one-year prove-it deal for a reliable third safety seems to be in the best interest of both parties. Especially with a potential reunion in order.

3. NY Jets target: Ross Dwelley, TE,

If the safety position isn't the most barren on the Jets' roster at the moment, it has to be the tight end position. The Jets have virtually nothing resembling a starter at the position and could realistically overhaul the entire group this offseason.

Tyler Kroft is a free agent, and while he was a fine player when healthy, his injury history is concerning and he missed time again in 2021. Ryan Griffin is no more than a replacement-level player while Kenny Yeboah is a developmental project at best.

The Jets could look to add 2-3 new tight ends this offseason, one of which could be former 49ers' tight end Ross Dwelley.

Now, Dwelley wouldn't be a starter in New York. Instead, he would be capable depth and someone who can compete for the TE2 role on the roster.

A former undrafted free agent, Dwelley has spent the last four years in San Francisco developing into a capable backup behind George Kittle. He saw an extended role in 2020 with Kittle sidelined as he started nine of 16 games finishing with 19 catches for 245 yards and a touchdown.

Dwelley is a smooth route-runner who was probably underutilized as a receiver during his time with the 49ers. He's not an overly-explosive athlete, but he's technically sound as a blocker and could provide adequate depth to the Jets' tight end room.

A fan-favorite in San Francisco, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Jets come calling this offseason.

2. NY Jets target: D.J. Jones, DT

Every team seems to have at least one of these players. A former late-round defensive tackle who eventually developed into a starter and served as a vital cog in the middle of his team's defense.

For the Jets, that player is Folorunso Fatukasi. For the 49ers, it's D.J. Jones.

Jones is a former sixth-round pick who has been a regular starter for the 49ers in each of the last three seasons, starting all 17 games in 2021. With seven sacks over the last three years, he offers a bit more pass-rush upside than Fatukasi does too.

The 6-foot, 305-pound Jones is a much better fit in the Jets' attacking 4-3 scheme as it's the same one he played in while Saleh was in San Francisco. He's more of a three-technique defensive tackle while Fatukasi is more of a one/zero-technique nose tackle.

One of the sneakier needs for the Jets this offseason could be at defensive tackle. Fatukasi is a free agent, and while he still remains a stout run defender, his production took a hit last season as he clearly struggled to adapt to the Jets' new high-intensity scheme.

Meanwhile, Sheldon Rankins underwhelmed in his first year with the Jets and could be a potential cap casualty. The Jets might be in the market for a new starting defensive tackle, especially given how deep Saleh likes his defensive lines to be.

Jones would be a good fit from a schematic standpoint, and his familiarity with Saleh could go a long way. At just 27-years-old too, expect Jones to be a viable target for the Jets provided he hits the open market.

1. NY Jets target: Laken Tomlinson, OG

It's difficult to find good offensive linemen in free agency. Teams typically just don't let players like that walk. That's why someone like Laken Tomlinson should be a hot commodity this offseason if he's allowed to test.

Tomlinson has been a good starting guard for most of his career, but he's taken his game to a new level over the last two years. A former second-round pick of the Detroit Lions, Tomlinson has been the 49ers' starting left guard in each of the last five seasons.

He put together a career year in 2020 finishing as Pro Football Focus' eighth-ranked guard in the entire NFL with a career-high 78.8 grade. And in 2021, he proved that career year was no fluke.

Tomlinson finished the 2021 season with a 73.6 PFF grade that ranked 13th among qualified guards en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. At age 30, Tomlinson has been a bit of a late bloomer.

However, it's clear that he's playing the best football of his career, and he realistically has plenty of years still left in the tank. On top of that, he's been an absolute model of stability and durability.

Tomlinson has missed a grand total of one game in his entire seven-year NFL career, that coming in 2017 when he was held out for the season opener following his trade from the Lions. That absence wasn't even injury-related.

The Jets would probably have to move Tomlinson to right guard, a position he hasn't really played during his time in the NFL, but if he's open to it, there are few (if any) better options on the free-agent market.

Robert Saleh connection aside, Laken Tomlinson should be one of the Jets' top targets this offseason.