NY Jets 2023 Spring Depth Chart Preview: Safety

The NY Jets' defense was absolutely stellar in 2022, but one position that was considered inconsistent and perhaps let the team down at times was the safety spot, which the Jets have seemingly not figured out since the departure of All-Pro Jamal Adams.

Last year, they added former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead, and this year, they made the addition of Chuck Clark in the form of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. If their defense is to be as elite as expected in 2023, they need this group to perform at a high level.

Depth chart

• Jordan Whitehead
• Chuck Clark
• Ashtyn Davis
• Tony Adams
• Will Parks
• Jarrick Bernard-Converse (CB/S)

What are the pros of the 2023 NY Jets safety room?

The Jets will rely heavily on their secondary for success in 2023, and while their star cornerback duo will no doubt cover for some sins, the safety team needs to step up, and if healthy, they have the starters that are ready to make an impact.

Both Whitehead and Clark have plenty of experience at the NFL level, and with two complementary play styles, they may make some mistakes, but overall, this is a duo that can make plenty of game-changing plays.

In Whitehead, the team has one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the entire NFL, and if he can improve on overplaying his hand at points, he can become one of the best as well, but he will no doubt need to improve his tackling in a big way.

What are the cons of the 2023 NY Jets safety room?

For the Jets, depth at many positions is no doubt in abundance this season, but unfortunately, at safety, the team doesn't quite have that luxury. If either Whitehead or Clark goes down, the quality at the position will no doubt go down as well.

While Ashtyn Davis and Tony Adams have potential and some experience, the drop-off will be massive if the Jets are to lose one of their starters, and with so many talented passing attacks on the schedule, this is the last thing the Jets' defense needs.

Ultimately, if healthy, this is a group that can contribute to success in a big way, but if the team fails to add another piece to the unit, we could be looking at a group that's one injury away from being a big deterrent for a Super Bowl contending team in 2023.

Who will be the biggest stud of the 2023 NY Jets safety group?

While no one on the Jets team has come into consideration for a Pro Bowl over the past few years, Whitehead was a key piece for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their Super Bowl run and is no doubt the biggest key for this unit in 2023.

During his first NY Jets campaign last season, Whitehead racked up 89 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes defended, and as the front of this defense gets better and better, it will allow him to make even more big plays on the back end.

Ashtyn Davis could be a player to keep an eye on as a potential breakout candidate, but Whitehead became one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL a season ago, and now, it's his time to prove that he belongs among the elite in the NFL.

What are the safety storylines to watch at NY Jets OTAs and training camp?

While Jordan Whitehead and Chuck Clark are a seemingly fine safety duo, many Jets fans have been patiently waiting for the team to make a move at the position this offseason, and with more and more salary cap space being opened up, they could make a move at any time.

The likes of Adrian Amos, former Jet Lamarcus Joyner, and John Johnson, among others, are all still available. If the Jets feel that they need more depth at the position, Joe Douglas is no doubt ready to pounce and land another key piece to this secondary.

On the field, the depth chart is seemingly locked in place already, but one name to keep an eye on is Ashtyn Davis, who the Jets have been waiting to see a major leap from since he was drafted back in 2020 because if he can't make that leap, this may be his final year in the green and white.

Predictions for the 2023 NY Jets safety room?

The Jets' safety room has the most 'boom or bust' potential of any unit on this talented young squad, but if the rest of the defense holds up the way many around the league expect, there's no reason for this unit not to be one of the best in the entire AFC.

Sure, neither Jordan Whitehead nor Chuck Clark is a prime candidate for the All-Pro team, but in the ultimate team sport, they're both capable of playing their roles to perfection. If they do that, this defense can have a good chance of living up to the enormity of their expectations.

Ultimately, this isn't going to be a group that will blow you away every possession but has the ability to come up with big, game-changing plays. If they can avoid the costly mistakes, the Jets will have a more than capable duo on their hands.