The New York Jets are unlikely to receive compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL draft
New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas’ background is with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens — two teams that heavily prioritize compensatory picks. Douglas hasn’t had such a luxury for most of his Jets tenure due to the myriad holes on the roster.
For the fourth time in Douglas’ five offseasons, the team projects not to receive any compensatory picks. The lone exception was this year’s draft when the Jets received three comp picks, a sixth-rounder and two seventh-rounders.
The NFL’s comp pick formula can seem somewhat complicated, but I explained the basics here. Essentially, teams are awarded compensation for losing more free-agent value than they gained in a given year.
The Jets lost three compensatory free agents (CFAs) this offseason: Bryce Huff, Jordan Whitehead, and Quinton Jefferson. They signed four: Tyron Smith, Javon Kinlaw, John Simpson, and Tyrod Taylor. The four CFAs they gained canceled out the three they lost, leaving them with no compensatory picks.
Notably, C.J. Uzomah was not a CFA because the Jets released him. Mekhi Becton signed after the compensation window. The Chargers released Mike Williams. Leki Fotu also was not compensation-eligible.
Douglas arguably botched the Huff situation by letting him go without any compensation. The move looks particularly bad considering that the Jets gave up a (likely) 2026 third-rounder to acquire Haason Reddick and got back just a 2026 sixth-rounder for John Franklin-Myers. There’s a significant amount of lost draft capital in that equation.
Douglas could recover from that situation by letting Reddick ride out his deal and sign elsewhere in 2025, potentially garnering a compensatory pick. Still, the Jets could end up in the same situation in 2025 considering their projected $71.9 million in cap space and the number of free agents they may need to replace.
Douglas’ lack of success in the draft and free agency forces him to dip into the free agency well. Zach Wilson, Mekhi Becton, Denzel Mims, Elijah Moore, and Laken Tomlinson were the most obvious misses. Still, the lack of quality depth in the draft also forced the Jets to keep dipping into free agency.
While lacking compensatory picks is not the be-all and end-all of the sport, the league’s best-run teams generally take advantage of the formula. Even though 2024 is an all-in season for the Jets, Douglas’ selection of Olu Fashanu in the first round signals his desire to build the Jets into a sustainable long-term product, as well.
