Things look a lot different for the New York Jets on the defensive side of the ball.
Despite several top-10 finishes over the last few years, New York progressively worsened on the defensive side of the ball over the last two seasons under the previous regime.
Now, a new system is incoming. With an infusion of younger talent and the replacement of some of the group’s leaders, the Jets hope to get back among the elite units in the league.
Following the 2025 draft, it’s time to see if that may even be possible this year.
2025 Jets Defensive Depth Chart Projection
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks are tasked with improving the performance of a younger defense in many key spots.
More importantly, though, the defense will set the foundation for what kind of club Glenn wants to run out of every Sunday. New York’s head coach has made it clear he wants his team to be smart, physical, and hungry to perform.
The group may look different following the 2025 draft, but there’s reason to suspect they can reach Glenn’s lofty goals.
Let’s get to the projected depth chart.
DE: Jermaine Johnson, Tyler Baron, Braiden McGregor
There are significant questions surrounding whether Johnson will actually be at 100% or not, coming off an Achilles injury. After him, the Jets could really use more depth at the position group. The fifth-round rookie in Baron may be someone to watch early, but it’s hard to assume he’ll be a major contributor right away.
DE: Will McDonald, Michael Clemons
McDonald has already shown the potential to be a quality edge rusher. While he needs work in defending the run, there will always be a need for that on the Jets. Meanwhile, Clemons has committed more penalties in his career than sacks (eight penalties committed to 7.5 sacks). That will be something that has to change going forward.
DT: Quinnen Williams, Byron Cowart, Jay Tufele
DT: Derrick Nnadi, Leonard Taylor III
As always, this group will go as far as Williams takes them. New York’s decision not to draft a tackle to help him out was perplexing, but Nnadi has experience in the run-stuffing role, and the combination of Cowart and Taylor may be able to create a nice little rotation. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Jets looked to bring in another tackle at this rate.
LB: Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Francisco Mauigoa, Jamin Davis
Williams and Sherwood will be the starting linebackers in their usual defensive alignment with a nickel on the field. Who plays beside them in a base 4-3 will be interesting, though, with many quality names expected to compete, including fifth-round rookie in “Kiko” Mauigoa.
Don’t sleep on Davis being used as an edge rusher, though.
CB: Sauce Gardner, Qwan’tez Stiggers
Sauce is the leader of this secondary now, and he’s looking to bounce back after a letdown last year. Stiggers is a developmental corner who showed flashes of brilliance at times during training camp last season. He remains an intriguing option to watch for this season.
NB: Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver
Few slot corners are better than MCII. He’ll be expected to remain in that position moving forward. Oliver has position versatility with his work at safety, so his presence on the roster will be significant.
FS: Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore
SS: Tony Adams, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
While Cisco and Adams can be penciled in as the Jets’ starters right now, that could all change if the fourth-round pick in Moore produces at a high rate early in camp. JBC is another versatile player and can be used as a fourth safety and special teamer during the year.
CB: Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas
Not many people expected this position to be a position battle before the draft, but it has now certainly become a position to watch moving forward. Stephens signed a three-year deal worth $36 million. That kind of money belongs to starters.
The Jets, though, drafted Thomas in the third round – hardly a selection that shows they want the FSU product to sit on the bench. Thomas is a press corner who fits what Glenn and the Jets want in their corners.
That could eventually push Stephens out if the team doesn’t want to move him to safety.
Whatever the case, this is one of the more intriguing positions to look forward to during camp.
