At 2-6, much of the talk in New York Jets land has shifted towards the offseason and the additions they could make with a war chest of assets.
But there’s another question worth asking: What do they already have? Despite their record, the team isn’t devoid of talent; there is reason for hope.
Is there a foundation, though? Let’s take a look at 15 players who could fit into the team’s future and place them in five categories based on their outlook and what they’ve compiled on the field.
Tier 1: Cornerstones
Garrett Wilson, WR
There shouldn’t be much of a debate here. Since entering the league in 2022, Garrett Wilson has been a mainstay in the Jets’ offense despite a revolving door at quarterback.
Now, in 2026, with some stability at quarterback in Geno Smith, Wilson is playing at an elite level. Regardless of who the coach or quarterback is in 2027, Wilson is a cornerstone player, which is why he is under contract with New York through the 2030 season.
Armand Membou, RT
If there’s one player outside of Wilson who Jets fans should feel comfortable labeling a cornerstone, it’s Armand Membou.
Since being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, he has been everything the Jets could ask for. There is no doubt he can anchor the right side of the Jets’ offensive line for years to come.
There is also the trajectory element. Keep in mind, he hasn’t even started 30 NFL games yet and is just 22, which signals room for even more growth.
Tier 2: Building blocks
Breece Hall, RB
Breece Hall may not be a cornerstone, but he’s shown enough to factor into the team’s long-term plans, which is why he lands in the “building block” category.
While it’s easy to hone in on Braelon Allen’s emergence over the past few weeks, let’s not forget what Hall brings to the table. The former second-round pick is a highly dynamic weapon who is valuable in both the rushing and receiving games.
With Allen’s coming-out party, more opportunities could be opened for Hall in the passing game, and that should help him immensely.
After signing a three-year extension worth up to $43.5 million, Hall is a part of the Jets’ future.
T’Vondre Sweat, DT
T’Vondre Sweat might be one of the more underrated pieces of the Jets’ future. He was acquired this offseason in exchange for Jermaine Johnson, and while he’s currently dealing with a knee injury, he’s flashed his value when he’s been on the field.
Sweat’s ability to make an impact on the pass game and not just be a space eater at 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds is what makes him valuable. The question, though, is what the Jets’ future defensive scheme looks like.
Sweat is scheme-dependent, but in the right system, he has flashed the promise to be a building block.
Dylan Parham, LG
Dylan Parham has been one of the Jets’ biggest surprises this season. Not only has the free agent addition outplayed expectations, but he has also been one of the best guards in football.
While he missed four games with a knee injury, when he’s been on the field, Parham has been the Jets’ best offensive lineman this season. He ranks second among 75 qualified guards in Pro Football Focus‘ overall grade (87.9).
Evaluating a building block at guard is different than at other positions. If Parham can just continue to provide quality starting production over the next few years, that will move the needle; he does not have to maintain star-level production. For the guard spot, it’s about minimizing how many positions the Jets have to worry about when building for the future.
Tier 3: Solid pieces
Joe Tippmann, RG
Joe Tippmann has been frustrating this season. Despite a strong start to the year, he has struggled over the past few weeks.
That obviously doesn’t mean fans should lose all hope in him; he signed a four-year extension with the team in the offseason, which was deserved. He also offers the versatility to move over to center, which is valuable.
However, Tippmann’s inconsistency, which also showed up early on last season, (albeit while he was adapting to a new position), is why I wouldn’t have him in the building block tier just yet. Nevertheless, he is a meaningful player who can certainly start on a competitive team.
Dane Belton, S
Dane Belton has been one of the Jets’ best offseason additions, and eight games into the season, he’s flashed why he deserves an in-season extension.
So far, he’s been one of the team’s best overall defenders. On just a one-year, $4 million contract, he provides solid value as a starting safety. At the end of the day, Belton projects to be a player who could start next year, too; the next step is hammering out a deal for the right price.
Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE
Like Belton, Kingsley Enagbare has been another valuable defensive contributor since being picked up in the offseason.
Frankly, he’s been the Jets’ most well-rounded edge rusher this season. Alongside his usual sturdy run defense, Enagbare is providing a pass-rushing punch he had not shown during his prior four seasons in the league. In eight games with the Jets, he’s posted 19 pressures and been in on three total sacks, while his career highs in those categories sit at 26 and five.
There will always be room for well-rounded players like Enagbare who can do a little bit of everything. Those are the pieces that make up the backbone of winning teams, even if it isn’t in a flashy role.
Azareye’h Thomas, CB
As just a second-year player, Azareye’h Thomas has shown some encouraging signs while emerging as one of the Jets’ starting cornerbacks this season.
Ultimately, there has been more good than bad from the 22-year-old, but there have also been some growing pains, hence his 119.3 passer rating allowed when targeted, which is the 12th highest among 102 qualified CBs this season. He’s also allowed four touchdowns, the second-most at his position.
However, Thomas’ six forced incompletions are tied for third at the position, so he has also flashed some high-level ability on the ball.
Whether he can eventually develop into a top-tier player will depend on his consistency, but considering his age and coverage ability, Thomas has shown enough to be viewed as a potential long-term starter.
Mason Taylor, TE
Mason Taylor has blossomed into a very useful piece for the Jets’ offseason. He flashed in his rookie season, and that has carried over to Year 2.
Taylor has provided value as a blocker, an area where he didn’t particularly stand out in college, while his contested catch ability remains highly valuable. Look no further than Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, where he hauled in two contested TDs.
If he develops into a reliable two-way tight end, which it looks like he can, that is a valuable piece to have.
Adonai Mitchell, WR
Of everyone in this tier, Mitchell has the strongest case to eventually land in the building-block category. He is the only player in this grouping who has consistently thrived in a certain area for multiple seasons now, and that’s separation.
From 2024-25, Mitchell tallied an Open Score of 80, per ESPN Analytics, which measures a receiver’s ability to get open. That placed him seventh at the position. The only players he trailed included Chris Olave (81), Zay Flowers (82), Stefon Diggs (84), A.J. Brown (84), Tyreek Hill (84), and Malik Nabers (90).
He has remained near the top of the list in ESPN’s Open Score this season. Currently, his score of 69 ranks ninth among WRs.
After returning from injury in Week 7, the Texas product erupted for 142 receiving yards against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, setting a career high.
So far, Mitchell has already been more than just a “throw-in” for the Jets.
Tier 4: Intriguing pieces
Braelon Allen, RB
If these rankings were based solely on this season, Allen would find himself much higher on this list. Since taking over for the injured Hall in Week 4, he has been one of the league’s most productive running backs.
The former fourth-round pick has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over that span, the third-highest mark at his position, along with 23 missed tackles forced (third) and 19 runs of 10+ yards (first).
Five games isn’t a minuscule sample size, but it also isn’t enough to definitively bill him as a building block, especially given the question marks entering the season. Watching how he stays involved in the backfield moving forward, starting this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, now with Hall back in the fold, will be key to determining his long-term value.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR
Despite the limited opportunites, Omar Cooper Jr. has made an immediate impact in the Jets’ offense when the ball is thrown his way.
He went down with an injury in Week 1 and missed four games, but when he returned, he made an immediate stamp. Throughout his first three full games, Cooper caught 12 of 13 targets for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Cooper still needs more of a sample size before we can predict his long-term role, but the early returns have been excellent. Now let’s see what that efficiency looks like over a larger workload, starting this Sunday, when he will get an increased workload with Garrett Wilson sidelined.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE
Since being selected with the 16th overall pick in April, Sadiq’s results have been mixed. The athletic ability is there, but the lack of consistency has been puzzling.
In Week 3, he erupted for 105 yards and a touchdown while reeling in seven of his eight targets. Since then, though, he has been targeted just 12 times, catching five for 43 yards.
His blocking also remains a work in progress, which has limited his snap count. The talent is obviously there, and he has flashed his capability this season, but the question is finding ways to use the rookie when he doesn’t do a great job of holding his own as a blocker at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds.
Implications for the future
Put it this way: the Jets won’t need to start from scratch this offseason, which is promising.
Right off the bat, two players in the building are cornerstones: Wilson and Membou. Then there is a pool of several guys who should factor into the Jets’ plan moving forward.
What’s most promising is the collection of weapons the team has built on offense. Wilson and Mitchell have been excellent at creating separation this season, while Cooper has been everything folks could ask for so far. After Allen proved himself over a five-game stretch, the tandem of him and Hall is intriguing. The tight end room also has no shortage of excitement with both Taylor and Sadiq.
Now it’s just about landing the right franchise quarterback.
It’s also important to remember there are nine games left in the season. While the Jets are 2-6 and there’s little hope of winning games, this is an extensive sample size for evaluating player development. More than half of the Jets’ games have yet to be played. The season isn’t ending anytime soon.
As the Jets prepare for a huge offseason in a few months, figuring out who should factor into the future will be crucial in shaping their strategy this spring.
