The New York Jets can still solidify their depth chart at multiple positions
Even though the New York Jets have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, there are still some spots on the depth chart that can use strengthening.
Here are four players the Jets could target to solidify the back end of their depth chart.
Quandre Diggs, S
With a projected starting duo of Tony Adams and Chuck Clark, the Jets lack certainty at the safety position.
Clark, 29, tore his ACL last summer, forcing him to be sidelined for the entirety of the 2023 season. Adams is coming off a decent season in which he recorded 82 tackles, three interceptions, and an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 68.0. However, Adams has only 16 career starts and remains somewhat of an unknown.
With the Jets’ uncertainty at safety, signing Quandre Diggs would be worthwhile for the sake of adding an experienced depth piece to the room. A three-time Pro Bowler, Diggs declined in 2023 at 30 years old, posting just one interception (his fewest since 2016) and missing a career-high 20 tackles. Still, his experience would make him a useful backup.
Diggs plays the majority of his snaps at the free safety position. With 24 career interceptions, he’s proven himself to be an effective ballhawk. Diggs would give the Jets security in case one of Adams or Clark struggles with deep coverage, which is an area of concern for both of them.
Jayron Kearse, S
Another veteran safety worth considering is Jayron Kearse. Despite never being named an All-Pro or Pro Bowler, Kearse has been a solid starter in the NFL, starting 42 games for the Cowboys over the past three seasons.
During his three years in Dallas, Kearse recorded 250 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 19 passes defended, and four interceptions. After posting overall Pro Football Focus grades of 76.8 and 70.2 in his first two seasons as a Cowboy, Kearse dropped to 43.1 in 2023. This was mainly due to his coverage, as he allowed a career-worst 102.3 passer rating. Like Diggs, Kearse turned 30 in 2023.
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Kearse offers excellent size for the position and is best known for his physicality near the line of scrimmage. He could provide the Jets with depth at the strong safety position.
Connor McGovern, IOL
Wes Schweitzer is the Jets’ only experienced backup on the interior of the offensive line. To ensure they have the best offensive line depth possible, the Jets must add another capable veteran backup with experience playing multiple positions on the interior of the offensive line.
That is where Connor McGovern comes in. McGovern is a familiar face for the Jets, as he was their Week 1 starting center in each of the past four seasons. McGovern has experience playing both guard positions and center. While he only played center for the Jets, McGovern began his career at guard with the Broncos.
After Joe Tippmann had a stellar rookie season, it became a given that he would be the Jets’ starting center in 2o24. That still stands to this day. It seems to be the main reason why the Jets haven’t re-signed McGovern yet, along with the fact the Jets added three new starters for the 2024 season.
However, the Jets could always use an extra trench player. As Jets fans have seen in the past, injuries on the offensive line can stockpile quickly, which could ruin an entire season.
McGovern’s flexibility would be valuable for the Jets. Given that he has been on the open market for this long, the Jets could probably add the 31-year-old at a discounted price.
Hunter Renfrow, WR
After a breakout season in 2021, Hunter Renfrow fell significantly short of expectations over the past two seasons.
In 2021, Renfrow recorded 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. At his peak, Renfrow was one of the most reliable third down targets in the league, as he had an 82.6 percent catch rate on third down from 2020 to 2021.
After Josh McDaniels took over as the Raiders’ head coach in 2022, Renfrow disappeared from the Raiders’ offense. Over the past two seasons, Renfrow was targeted just 87 times in 27 games, recording 61 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jets have questions at the slot receiver position. With Malachi Corley still having a “long way to go” as a route runner and Xavier Gipson currently sidelined with a leg injury, it would make sense for the Jets to take a flyer on Renfrow by signing him to a one-year prove-it deal.
The Jets could use a reliable third-down target. Renfrow provides a reasonably high floor in that area, at least compared to the unproven players who currently make up the Jets’ wide receiver competition.
