The sneaky trend behind many of the NY Jets' 2025 free-agent signings

In the early days of free agency, the New York Jets have inked eight deals with 2021 NFL Draftees. Perhaps it's coincidental or timing-based, but the first stage of player acquisition sees the Jets locking up several selections from the draft four years ago.

Grabbing all the headlines, and understandably so, is the Jets' early free-agent haul of dual-threat signal-caller Justin Fields and linebacker Jamien Sherwood. New GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn prioritized anointing the respective quarterbacks of New York's offense and defense.

Mougey retained one of the previous regime's best value picks in the Jets 2024 team MVP Sherwood, who was selected in the fifth round four years ago as a safety out of Auburn.

But in a unique twist, Mougey also exacted a mulligan for former GM Joe Douglas by signing a quarterback in Fields that the Jets bypassed in the 2021 NFL draft for Zach Wilson.

A 2021 NFL Draft feel to the NY Jets 2025 free agency signings

Mougey, who spent the last decade-plus in the Denver Broncos scouting department, might be holding a candle for players Denver didn't draft four years ago. It's a common practice for NFL GMs to keep prospects in high regard who received favorable grades in their scouting work, even after they have assimilated into the NFL out of college.

Beyond Fields and Sherwood, the 2021 NFL Draft connections to the Jets' 2025 free-agent class extend further.

The Jets have re-signed former Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis, who Washington selected 19th in the same round as Fields. Then there's center Josh Myers, who inked a one-year deal with New York. Green Bay drafted the Ohio State standout in the second round of the same draft.

Two of the Jets' most prominent unrestricted free-agent signings on defense, safety Andre Cisco and cornerback Brandon Stephens, were third-round picks in 2021 of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.

Former Pittsburgh Panther edge rusher Rashad Weaver, who the Tennessee Titans selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, was added to the Jets' defensive mix during the early stages of free agency. The team also signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Jay Tufele, a fourth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, on Thursday.

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The truth is that many free agents on the 2025 open market are looking for their second NFL contract, so it's not surprising that the Jets have such a wide collection of signings from the 2021 NFL Draft class.

However, the fact that players like Cisco, Stephens, and others were primary targets for the Jets over similar players from the same entry point into the NFL shows that there has been intel and favor by the Jets' new scouting regime toward them dating back to the 2021 NFL Draft process.

Mougey is getting some of his guys four years later. The reward attached to finally sitting in the GM chair.

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