It wasn’t long ago that the Jet defense looked as depleted as an expansion roster. Now, they look like they’re champing at the bit to start the season tomorrow.

Continuing their recent free agent signing spree, the Jets yesterday signed former Jaguar CB Aaron Beasley to a four-year deal.

Beasley, who had six INTs in 1999 and three last season, will start at the vacant cornerback spot opposite Ray Mickens. That relieves some of the tension the Jets might have had about replacing incumbent starters Aaron Glenn and Marcus Coleman, both of whom were drafted by the expansion Texans in a salary-cap dump.

“Obviously, we were in the market for a starting cornerback and felt very good about Aaron,” Jet GM Terry Bradway said yesterday. “We targeted Aaron right from the start. His style of play is a perfect fit to what we like to do. That was our No. 1 priority.

“We feel Aaron fits the position requirements we have for this defense. He’s an outstanding athlete and a very instinctive player. He has excellent ball skills. As we continue to rebuild the defense, this was a good signing.”

The signing of Beasley comes on the heels of the signings of LB Sam Cowart and DE Steve White earlier this week. Also, SS Sam Garnes was signed and LB Marvin Jones and CB Ray Mickens were re-signed.

Beasley, a Philadelphia-area native, said he was lured to the Jets by the presence of Herman Edwards.

In other free agent news, Titan DT Josh Evans, who visited the Jets for four days this week, is still a possible signee, but no deal has been struck as of yet. Evans might make visit to New England and/or Denver before revisiting the Jets.