The New York Jets put together a strong free agency class in 2026. From revamping their defense, which ranked among the league’s worst last year, to finding a potential steal in left guard Dylan Parham, the Jets left the free agency period with a much stronger roster than they entered the offseason with.

While ESPN controversially labeled the Parham signing as the team’s “worst” offseason move, they also named the team’s “best” offseason move: signing cornerback Nahshon Wright.

“Sometimes, the league sees one surprising season and gives a player a multiyear guarantee,” wrote ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. “This time, the league mostly dismissed Wright, leading the Jets to pick him up on a one-year deal for just $3.5 million. Given that Brandon Stephens struggled badly in his first year with the team and coach Aaron Glenn has preferred to play a lot of man coverage behind pressures when his defenses have been working, this team sorely needed help at cornerback.

“Landing D’Angelo Ponds in the second round and signing Wright on a very team-friendly deal were much-needed additions for Glenn and the Jets, who simply didn’t have CBs they could trust after Sauce Gardner was traded in midseason.”

Unlike the call to select Parham as New York’s worst offseason move, Wright truly does have a strong case to be the Jets’ best offseason move.

After being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Wright struggled to carve out a defensive role and played most of his snaps on special teams before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2024 season. He played only one game with Minnesota, spending most of his time on their practice squad.

Aiming to revive his career, Wright did just that in 2025 with the Chicago Bears for dirt cheap, signing for a non-guaranteed one-year contract at the veteran minimum ($1.3 million). He played in 17 games (16 starts) and tallied 80 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and five interceptions, which led all NFL corners.

Keep in mind, though, Wright struggled mightily in coverage. Per Pro Football Focus, he was only one of two CBs, alongside Washington Commanders corner Mike Sainristill, to allow over 700 yards and seven touchdowns in coverage. To boot, he also committed eight penalties.

By no means is Wright a perfect player. However, as Barnwell noted, what makes the move so strong is the price the Jets paid for him. It is a traditional low-risk, high-reward move that can prove highly beneficial for the Jets, who signed him to a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million.

Overall, Wright’s upside is well worth the price, making the signing one of the Jets’ strongest value moves this offseason.