The rush of free agency is over and now teams are turning to the draft and filling out their rosters with some smaller free-agency moves.
The Jets will still add some more players, but they will be lesser-known, depth players now. The team has about $10 million-$15 million in salary-cap space to still use (the exact number won’t be known until all contracts are filed). They will get an additional $11 million in June when Trumaine Johnson comes off the books, money they can use to sign their draft picks.
As they turn the page from free agency to the draft, it is a good time to take a look at their roster and its current strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
Tight ends: The Jets expected big things from second-year player Chris Herndon last year, but he ended up playing just one game because of a suspension and hamstring and rib injuries. Though that hurt the offense in 2019, it could be a benefit in 2020.
With Herndon on the shelf, the team turned to Ryan Griffin (34 catches, 320 yards, five touchdowns), and he showed he can be a key cog for the team. Rookie Trevon Wesco also got valuable playing time he would not have gotten if Herndon were healthy.
That leaves the Jets in good position for 2020 with Herndon, Griffin, Wesco and Daniel Brown.
Jets GM Joe DouglasBill Kostroun/New York PostInside linebackers: This was a position hit hard by injuries last year. Avery Williams missed the entire season, and C.J. Mosley appeared in just two games. Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman and James Burgess all played well at times in their place. The Jets have all of them coming back and added former Raven Patrick Onwuasor, giving Gregg Williams tremendous depth at the position.
It won’t be a surprise if Williams moves one or more of them outside to give some help at a weaker position. Williams values position flexibility and will surely get some from this group.
Safeties: Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are two of the best players on the team. The only players left from the Jets’ 2017 draft class, the safety duo is one of the few bright spots of recent drafts.
Adams is looking for a new long-term deal, something he should get by Week 1. Maye is coming off a season when he stayed healthy and made a game-saving play in Week 16 against the Steelers. GM Joe Douglas needs to add some depth here after their agreement with free agent Marqui Christian fell through, but they are set at starter.
Weaknesses
Outside linebackers: The Jets managed to bring back Jordan Jenkins on a one-year, $5 million deal in free agency but did not do anything else to address the position. Tarell Basham played well at times last season, but he is a better backup than a starter.
It is hard to find pass-rushers in the draft outside of the top 10. Douglas and his staff will be challenged to fill this hole. Williams got creative with his scheme last year and blitzed a lot of defensive backs. Having Adams as one of your top pass-rushers is not a long-term plan for success.
Offensive line: Douglas made a flurry of moves to address this position in free agency, but there is still work to be done. Namely, Douglas needs to find a tackle and the expectation remains that will be the likely target with the No. 11-overall pick. If the Jets land one of the top tackles, they can play him at left tackle and move George Fant to the right side or play the rookie on the right side instead of Chuma Edoga.
Cornerbacks: The Jets added Pierre Desir and brought back Brian Poole and Arthur Maulet. None are long-term answers and, other than Poole, may not be the greatest short-term answers. The Jets have not drafted a good cornerback since Darrelle Revis in 2007. They’re due.
Wide receivers: If the Jets do not take a tackle in the first round, do they take one of the top receivers in the draft? Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs would give Sam Darnold a nice new weapon. The addition of Breshad Perriman was a good rebound after losing Robby Anderson, but this position still needs help.


