Recapping the NY Jets 2024 offseason acquisitions ahead of training camp

With training camp beginning on July 23, the hype is beginning to build for the 2024 NFL season. For New York Jets fans, this upcoming season may feel like déjà vu with all the excitement and Super Bowl talk, and there are some fans reluctant to get excited all over again.

But the truth is that there is even more to be excited about for this upcoming season than there was for last season. To see why, let’s dive into all the offseason additions through free agency, trades and the NFL Draft.

The NY Jets were busy re-signing, trading for, and adding free agent talent

GM Joe Douglas and his front office staff addressed almost every need on the roster and seemed to have learned from the mistakes made in 2023. He filled in holes on the roster where it was needed most, including the defensive line, wide receiver room, backup quarterback and, most importantly, the offensive line.

On the defensive line, the Jets traded for Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles, and signed Javon Kinlaw from the San Francisco 49ers. Reddick is a proven every-down commodity at EDGE and will be pressurizing quarterbacks throughout the season.

Last year, he had 11 sacks, which would’ve led the Jets. It is worth mentioning that Bryce Huff had 10 sacks, and it will be an ongoing debate about which player should be a Jet. But for this season, Jets fans should feel very comfortable with Reddick at EDGE.

DT Javon Kinlaw has drawn some ire from skeptics, as many think Jonathan Franklin-Myers, who ended up signing a less lucrative deal with the Denver Broncos after the Jets traded him, may have been the better fit for the team. Kinlaw’s familiarity with HC Robert Saleh and DC Jeff Ulbrich, who helped draft Kinlaw to the 49ers in 2020, most likely played a part in this signing.

DT Solomon Thomas re-signed, and the Jets also added DT Leki Fotu. Kinlaw, Thomas, and Fotu add some needed dept in the DT room and will be a part of an ongoing rotation at the position.

Arguably the biggest splash of free agency for the Jets came with the signing of eight-time Pro-Bowler Tyron Smith. Slotted to be the starting offensive left tackle, Smith immediately brings a talent the Jets haven’t seen in that position since D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

In 2023, Smith gave up just one sack in 847 snaps, or 13 games. But age and injury history are concerning. At 33 years old, it will be of paramount importance to manage Smith to keep him healthy and available.

Tyron Smith wasn’t the only player brought in to help the offensive line. Douglas also traded for RT Morgan Moses and signed free agent G John Simpson, both playing last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Perhaps the fan favorite signing, Mike Williams signed with the Jets and brings a reliable target as a compliment to Garret Wilson. Crediting a Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwich for the reason of signing, Williams brings to New York a contested catch rate of 54.3% in 2022. He had only one drop that season, which was his last fully healthy season.

Coming off a season-ending ACL injury in Week, it may take some time before Jets fans see Mike Williams catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in training camp. But Saleh appears optimistic that WR2 will be ready for the season opener on Monday Night Football against the 49ers.

Perhaps no position experienced a greater upgrade than backup quarterback. Replacing Zach Wilson, who was sent to the Denver Broncos in a trade, the Jets signed Tyrod Taylor as QB2. He has a career quarterback rating of 88.3. For comparison, Zach Wilson has a quarterback rating of 73.2, so this is a significant upgrade.

Not to mention that this will be one of the most talented teams that Tyrod has been a part of. With that being said, Jets fans hope not to see Tyrod play during the regular season. But if he does, they can feel more confident than they did with Zach Wilson.

An underappreciated re-signing came with P Thomas Morstead, who had an astounding 2023-24 campaign with the Jets. Morstead helped the Jets flip field position when it was needed most last year; just rewatch (if you can stomach it) the Jets-Giants matchup where he punted 11 times and three of them were downed inside the 4-yard line.

Another special team player, K Greg Zuerlein re-signed and returns after an above-average season in 2023. He converted on 92.1% of his field-goal attempts and was 5 for 6 on 50+ yard field goals. He also set a franchise record with 26 consecutive field goals.

With the new kickoff rules starting this season, the Jets signed RB Tarik Cohen, giving the former All-Pro kick returner another chance to play football at the highest level. Plagued by injuries and personal tragedy, Cohen hasn't played in an NFL game since September 2020.

If Cohen is able to contribute at a high level, it would be considered an incredible comeback and redemption story. For the Jets, this signing is low risk with potentially high reward.

If the Jets can make a deep playoff push, then special teams will become more important with each passing week. The new kickoff format and rules mean teams will explore strategies and game plans throughout the year. Both Morstead and Zuerlein help anchor a solid special teams unit that will be relied upon in 2024 against top-tier AFC talent.

Rookies bring excitement and youth to an already talented roster

In the 2024 NFL Draft, there was a lot of offensive and defensive talent available. Although the Jets didn’t make any splashy moves, they added talent that will be evident on day one of the 2024-25 NFL season.

The three players most likely to have the most impact on the team are OT Olu Fashanu, WR Malachi Corley and RB Braelon Allen, all of which are offensive players. This is not surprising, considering the Jets strength in 2023 was the defense while the offense was anemic at times and needed more weapons.

The first-round pick in Olu Fashanu brings offensive line depth that will be paramount in 2024. This pick added more talent and depth to a unit that was ravished by injuries last year. Olu now has the opportunity to study behind both Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, two veterans with plenty to teach a young man who is willing to learn.

Third-round pick Malachi Corley will be an instant impact on offense. Jets fans will quickly learn why he is called the YAC King, as he will be yet another weapon for Aaron Rodgers to utilize.

Although Jets fans may not see his impact immediately, fourth-round pick Braelon Allen will have a role to play in this year’s offense. Posting the second-best bench press for RBs in the Combine, look for Allen to display his strength while running and in pass protection duties. As both a downhill runner and pass-catching threat out of the backfield, Allen will find his way into the weekly offensive scheme as the season progresses.

Joe Douglas also added through the draft QB Jordan Travis, RB Isaiah Davis, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers and Mr. Irrelevant S Jaylen Key. Jets fans are unlikely to see any of these players in a starting role in Week 1 on either the offensive or defensive sides of the ball.

They will have the opportunity to prove themselves on special teams, which had a key departure in 2022 All-Pro Justin Hardee. In addition to draft picks, the Jets also added many undrafted free agents.

While it remains to be seen who will make the 53-man roster come September, the Jets are certainly not bereft of talent. Some tough decisions will be made, and not all those drafted and signed as UDFA will be a part of the team. But they will be there for training camp and will create a very competitive atmosphere.

On paper, this is the most talented Jets team entering a season since the playoff drought started following the 2010-11 season. But some fans are tired of the offseason hype and the hypotheticals, understandably so. They are eager for the on-field product to produce winning football.

Fans' aspirations should be to not only end the playoff drought, but to make a deep playoff run. Dare I say Super Bowl contenders?

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