6 free agents who could follow Nathaniel Hackett to the NY Jets

6. NY Jets target: Darius Phillips, CB/KR

Darius Phillips spent the 2022 season working under Hackett while with the Broncos. The former fifth-round pick spent the first four years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals where he maximized his opportunities.

Phillips appeared in 12 games in 2020, starting eight, and actually finished as Pro Football Focus' No. 18 ranked cornerback in the NFL that year. Despite this, additions to the Bengals' secondary, combined with his own injury troubles, reverted him to a reserve role the following season.

That's essentially the role he played with the Broncos this season. Phillips was a core special teamer before his season was, once again, cut short due to injury.

Phillips has experience as a kick and punt returner which could come in handy if the Jets part ways with Braxton Berrios this offseason. His experience with Hackett is a bonus.

5. NY Jets target: Andrew Beck, FB

It's been a while since the Jets have regularly used a fullback in their offense, but Hackett utilized the position quite a bit during his time in Green Bay, with the likes of Danny Vitale and Josiah Deguara both filling the role.

Once Hackett got to Denver, he transitioned backup tight end Andrew Beck to a role as a full-time fullback. With Beck set to be a free agent this offseason, perhaps he could follow Hackett to his next destination.

The former undrafted free agent would hardly be a high-profile addition, and he would most likely compete for a roster spot, but if Hackett wants a tight end on the Jets' roster in 2023, Beck makes sense.

Hackett could lean on someone like Jeremy Ruckert to fill that role, but the Jets might want to see more of Ruckert as a traditional in-line tight end next season. Beck could be a target for that reason.