6 changes the NY Jets need to make to their roster ASAP

4. The NY Jets need better options at safety

There are three areas where the Jets have depth issues. Offensive tackle, nickel cornerback, and safety. We've focused on the offensive tackle position, so let's take a look at two key spots in the secondary.

The Jets do not have a viable long-term answer at safety opposite Jordan Whitehead. The short-term solution, veteran Lamarcus Joyner, had a miserable opening game, and it's been a while since Joyner has been a quality NFL player.

The team's two Week 1 backups at safety were undrafted player Tony Adams and disappointing third-year defensive back Ashtyn Davis. If Joyner, who missed all of 2021, doesn't improve his level of play soon, the Jets are going to need a different answer at the position.

The problem is that the two players behind him are questionable alternatives. Ashtyn Davis's body of work leaves a lot to be desired while Adams is entirely unproven. 

If there is a position on the team where the Jets should be looking for a long-term answer, it's at safety, and it's the one weak spot in the starting secondary that could hold the unit back from being elite. In the offseason, everyone tried to marry Marcus Williams and Tyrann Mathieu to the Jets, but those marriages never happened.

Douglas needs to work the phones, looking for an upgrade. Veteran safeties are available on the open market, like Jaquiski Tartt, who has experience with Robert Saleh. However, the safety/linebacker hybrid may not fit what the Jets need at the position. There are other vets out there like Tashaun Gipson.

The pipedream would be for the Jets to swing a deal for star safeties Jessie Bates (Bengals) or Jimmie Ward (49ers). Both will be free agents next season and are looking for sizable deals.

Therein lies the rub. Even if they inquired, the Jets are very tight against the cap right now. They had to re-work C.J. Mosley's deal to give themselves some in-season wiggle room. Be that as it may, one way or another, the team has to find a better option at safety than what they currently have with Joyner.

Unfortunately, the Jets had what appeared to be a long-term, in-house option at safety in Jason Pinnock, but the team let him go at final cuts. Subsequently, he was snapped up by the New York Giants. There are no do-overs in the NFL. Pinnock is the one that got away, that shouldn't have.

The Jets put all their faith in Tony Adams. That faith may have to be tested with Adams ascending to a starting role over Joyner. In the meantime, the Jets have elevated Will Parks to the 53-man roster.

New York is lucky that they were able to get Parks on their practice squad after he was cut. Parks has been a better player with the Jets than Joyner has. Now, with Whitehead looking iffy for Week 2, the team's depth comes more into question.