If you caught my last article highlighting under-the-radar offensive targets for the Jets in the 2025 NFL draft, it should come as no surprise to see I’ll now be highlighting the defensive side of the ball. A unit that was once thought to be the strength of the team, the New York defense took multiple steps back in 2024.
The following prospects are ideal options to replenish the Jets’ defense without breaking the bank.
NY Jets defensive targets for 2025 NFL draft
Interior Defensive Linemen & Edge Rushers
To the dismay of some fans, I believe the Jets should target a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2025 draft. Michigan’s Mason Graham or Penn State’s Abdul Carter are obvious choices for the Jets early in the upcoming draft.
However, this piece is focused on some of the more unheralded prospects.
Josaiah Stewart, EDGE – Michigan
Mason Graham gets a lot of the attention at Michigan (and rightfully so). However, Josaiah Stewart has quietly flown under the radar as an elite prospect entering the NFL draft.
I know Jets fans are reading this and probably groaning at the thought of taking another edge rusher. However, Stewart is worth the slot, whether he stays at his fourth-round projection or if he moves up to an early Day 2 pick.
Among edge rushers with 50 pass-rushing snaps, Stewart ranks second in Pro Football Focus’ pass-rush grade. His pass-rush win rate of 24.6% ranks fourth among eligible players. Meanwhile, in true pass sets, he holds the top pass-rush grade at 93.4, with a win rate of 36.8%, good for sixth among edge players. Stewart has a litany of pass-rush moves that allow him to win at a consistent level no matter who he’s playing against.
Despite the elite pass-rushing stats, Stewart isn’t a one-trick pony.
The Michigan defender is tied for 22nd among edge defenders in run defense grade, at 83.7. Stewart plays nasty at the point of contact. His aggressiveness is contagious, and it’s something that the Jets desperately need out of their front seven. While edge might not feel like a need to some fans, Stewart is a tone-setter, and a difference-maker on defense.
Due to the draft class and his Michigan counterparts, Stewart is still flying under the radar. However, he will have the opportunity to improve his draft stock at the Senior Bowl this season. He could wind up being one of the better prospects as a pro – and one the Jets should take a shot on.
Kyle Kennard, EDGE – South Carolina
It’s surprising to see Kyle Kennard only having a third-round draft grade at the moment. The South Carolina Gamecock has been a disruptive force this season after transferring from Georgia Tech. So much so, that he was awarded as the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Kennard has the ability to perform bull rushes (with one or two arms), swim moves, and chopping attacks, as he’s vastly improved since his time at Georgia Tech. He looks like a completely different player with the Gamecocks, which is a good thing considering it’s a step up in competition.
Kennard displays excellent hand placement to win with momentum at the point of attack. It’s an excellent trait to have, and one the Jets could use on their defense.
While his statistics don’t necessarily jump off the board, it’s hard to deny the production he’s put up at South Carolina. Like the aforementioned Stewart, Kennard has the opportunity to improve his draft stock in Mobile. However, if he stays in the Day 2-3 range, he’s worth taking a chance on.
Simeon Barrow, IDL – Miami (FL)
If the Jets opt to forgo taking Mason Graham in the first round, Miami (FL) defensive lineman could be an interesting player for the Jets to take a shot on.
Barrow’s specialty is against the run, where the Jets desperately need help. His 81.9 run defense grade at PFF is tied for 42nd among 620 qualifiers (min. 50 snaps). Barrow shows a tremendous instinct for snap-timing, as well as utilizing leverage to treat opposing linemen like they are toys.
Even when he played at Michigan State, Barrow showed great ability in stopping the run against good competition.
However, Barrow is also great as a pass-rusher. His seven sacks ranked second among IDL players this year, with his pass-rush win-rate of 10.6% placing him tied for 41st among 620 qualifying players. Meanwhile, his PRP (pass-rush productivity) was 12th-best among interior defensive linemen.
Currently, Barrow is projected as a fifth-round prospect in the upcoming draft. If he stays as a mid-Day 3 prospect, it would be a steal for the Jets. New York desperately needs someone to play alongside Quinnen Williams, and Barrow could be that player.
Linebackers
We will find our more traditional linebackers in this category. Although this is a position of strength for the Jets, the team could use a player to eventually take over for Quincy Williams, who will be 29 before the start of next season. Fortunately, there is a very intriguing prospect the Jets should be taking a look at.
Teddye Buchanan, California
Honestly, it’s shocking that Teddye Buchanan is projected to be an UDFA. Buchanan is an insanely quick linebacker, with a high football intelligence who plays well against both the run and the pass.
Coming from UC Davis, Buchanan transferred to Cal to play against P4 competition – and has done extremely well.
At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Buchanan has a rare blend of size and speed. He is one of only three linebackers with at least 370 coverage snaps to post a coverage grade of 80.0 or above (82.0) at PFF. His 58.8 completion percentage allowed is tied for the 39th-lowest among 522 qualifying linebackers.
As a pass rusher, Buchanan had a low win-rate. However, he secured six sacks and his 15.1 PRP ranked tied for 37th among 166 qualifiers. With that said, you’re not consistently looking for sacks from your middle linebacker. Yet, Buchanan was one of just five linebackers to acquire at least five sacks despite rushing on less than 20% of his snaps.
Perhaps an underrated game of Buchanan is his run defense. While his PFF grading is middle-of-the-pack, he’s proven to be a sure tackler (9.4 missed tackle rate), while being top-20 in stops among linebackers. He’s a player that knows how to be the last line of defense, and consistently makes plays on the ball.
As I stated before, having him ranked as an UDFA prospect is absurd, to say the least. Yet, that bodes well for teams who are savvy and able to develop – and find – talent. If I’m the Jets, I’m making sure I leave the offseason with Buchanan on my roster.
Defensive Backs
The Jets have a lot of questions to answer on the back-end of their defense this offseason. A big part of that involves the safety positions. However, they also need continuous depth at cornerback. Luckily, there are a number of very underrated prospects in this draft the Jets could take a look at.
Craig Woodson, Safety – California
Georgia’s Malaki Starks is getting the love from draft boards. However, Craig Woodson just might be the best – and most underrated – safety entering the 2025 NFL draft.
Woodson is your quintessential lunch pail player. He puts his head down, gets to work, and just plays at an elite level with absurd versatility. The 23-year-old is one of a few safeties to play at least 130 snaps along the box, at free safety, and in the slot. However, he’s only one of three players to have that kind of versatility while obtaining at least an 80.0 PFF grade in overall defense, run defense, tackling, and coverage.
Woodson’s 87.6 defense grade is tied for 12th among all safeties (min. 100 snaps). He is also one of the best tackling safeties in the FBS, too. The Cal safety only has a missed tackle percentage of 7.9, and isn’t afraid to lay the wood in coverage, either.
On top of the aforementioned stats, Woodson is great in coverage, too. He is tied for 22nd among safeties with a 88.1 coverage grade. The safety is also fifth among his peers in forced incompletions with nine, showcasing that he can make plays on the ball.
Somehow, despite the numbers and film, Woodson is projected to be an undrafted free agent. It’s an absurdity that will likely correct itself come spring. However, it’s also something that the Jets should try to take advantage of if they have the opportunity.
Nohl Williams, Cornerback – California
I know, it seems like I may have an obsession with the University of California. However, considering that each of these three Cal players are projected to be undrafted free agents, it’s impossible to pass them up as bargain options for the Jets. The latest is Nohl Williams, who led the FBS in interceptions this year with seven.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. His 79.8 coverage grade at PFF is tied for 47th among cornerbacks, while his 10 forced incompletions are tied for 28th at the position. The Cal corner also has the 14th-lowest passer rating against, at 41.7.
Yet, it’s not just his ability as a corner as to why the Jets should be interested in Williams.
Another aspect of Williams’ game is his ability as a returner. While his grades via PFF aren’t out of this world, he has secured a kick return for a touchdown, and has shown an ability to change the momentum in an instant for his team.
Personally, I don’t know why a team wouldn’t take a chance on Williams this spring. With that said, I hope that team is the Jets, because they could use a playmaker in their secondary and in special teams.
Kahzir Brown, Cornerback – Florida Atlantic
FAU cornerback Kahzir Brown is one of my favorite cornerbacks in college football. So, it makes sense that I would want him playing for the Jets. Coming from Trenton, N.J., “Buggs” started his career at the University of Maine before transferring to Florida Atlantic for his final year of college football.
Brown is a unique combination of brains and brawn at the position. He’s a physical cornerback, with the ability to bench 300 pounds (no, that’s not a typo). And at 6-foot-3, he is an imposing figure for opposing receivers. Brown can play any type of coverage, but specializes in press man, where he can use his physicality to force receivers off of their route, and disrupting the leverage in their stems.
Buggs also is incredibly intelligent, and an avid film studier. That helps him when he’s playing against talented players – and allows him to check tendencies of opposing quarterbacks and receivers.
Because of that, Brown is a ball hawk at the position, and was one of the few bright spots on a poor FAU team this season. The cornerback had two interceptions, and perhaps one of the best of the year on opening day against Michigan State.
The FAU defensive back was in the top-half of corners in PFF’s coverage grade this season at 76.9. And like the aforementioned Williams, Brown also had 10 forced incompletions this year.
While PFF graded his run-stopping abilities poorly, the film shows otherwise. Brown is a sure tackler, and does not shy away from contact. It’s what makes him such a unique prospect. In fact, during his time in Maine, he finished first (2023) and third (2022) in tackles with 61 and 59, respectively.
During the final stretch of games for FAU, Brown was left on an island in press man coverage, and performed extremely well. It’s those types of performances and tasks that make coordinators sleep easy at night.
On top of his coverage ability, the New Jersey native also has a knack for making plays on special teams. At Maine, Brown was responsible for blocking multiple kicks, something the Jets could use on their special teams defense.
A game-changer in every sense of the word, Buggs has yet to be given a draft projection. However, the Jets should take an opportunity on the Trenton product – and might just find themselves a lockdown cornerback in the process.
