We are a few weeks removed from the 2026 NFL Draft and the New York Jets are being praised for the selections they made.
The team instantly improved their pass rush with the selection of Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey with the second-overall pick and upgrading their offense, adding Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
The Jets also continued a very solid offseason by signing Breece Hall to a three-year extension worth $45 million, making him one of the highest paid running backs in the league.
At this point, the Jets are probably done making any additional moves as their roster is set at most positions. There’s still time before training camp to add a veteran through free agency and with Hall officially signed to a new deal, they could also focus their attention on locking up another key player, offensive lineman Joe Tippmann.
Let’s take a look at the New York Jets updated depth chart on defense to see if any areas still need improvement:
Defensive Line
T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, Mazi Smith, Darrell Jackson
The Verdict: Set
The Jets continued to retool the defensive line that was brutal against the run last season. It started with the acquisition of Sweat from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for fan favorite Jermaine Johnson. Sweat graded out as the fifth best defensive lineman last year according to PFF to go along with 18 pressures and two sacks as a pass rusher. There are a few questions about his motor, but he adds plenty of size to the defensive line and is terrific against the run, where he was fourth best in the league among interior linemen.
Onyemata was signed as a free agent and has plenty of experience playing for Glenn in New Orleans. He’ll be another veteran presence on the line and his strength is against the run, finishing with a PFF grade of 74.2, ranking him eighth out of 134 interior defensive linemen. Adding Sweat and Onyemata to a unit that already includes Phillips and Briggs gives the team solid depth that could make life tough for opposing running backs.
Jackson was an interesting selection in the fourth round, but will need time time to develop before he’s ready to take on a bigger role. He’ll make the roster, but will most likely be an inactive for most of the season. Smith is a former first-round pick who played very little last year after being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the Quinnen Williams trade. He’ll need a strong training camp to stick around as the Jets recently declined his fifth year option.
Defensive End
Will McDonald, David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Tyler Baron, Braiden McGregor
The Verdict: Set
The Jets added plenty of pass rushers to improve a unit that ranked 31st in sacks last season and will look for a bounce back season from McDonald, who recently had his fifth-year option picked up by the team.
Ossai is coming off a five sack season last year with Cincinnati and can contribute against the run. Enagbare had 31 tackles, 24 pressures and three sacks last year for the Packers. Both will see plenty of time at outside linebacker as well as defensive end. There’s a ton of excitement surrounding Bailey, the team’s first-round pick this year as he’ll bring plenty of speed and juice to the pass rush. Like McDonald, Bailey struggles against the run though and needs to improve in that area. But, he’s an immediate plug and play starter who could open up plenty of opportunities for McDonald, who is coming off a disappointing season.
Linebacker
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
The Verdict: Still needs improvement
Davis is back for his third stint with the team and while he’s 37, he’s still one of the top linebackers in the league and the type of veteran that could mentor Sherwood, who’s coming off a bad year after signing a new contract to stay with the Jets. Mauigoa showed flashes at times, but had plenty of rookie moments and missed the last few games due to injury. McCrary-Ball was a walking personal foul penalty last year and needs to be more disciplined if he wants a bigger role on this defense. Even with the addition of Davis and the hope of a bounce back season for Sherwood, this position feels very thin right now and the Jets should still look to add a veteran or two in free agency.
Cornerback
Brandon Stephens, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Nahshon Wright, D’Angelo Ponds, Azareye’h Thomas, Quantez Stiggers
The Verdict: Almost There
This group is surprisingly deep but doesn’t include a true shutdown corner that can take away one side of the field. Stephens got off to a rough start last year after coming over from Baltimore, but played much better as the season progressed. Wright had five interceptions last season for the Bears, which is five more than the entire Jets secondary had. Brownlee only played seven games after being acquired during the season from the Titans due to a season ending injury. But, the Jets are high on Brownlee’s play and he should be the team’s starting corner in the slot.
Ponds was drafted in the second round and while he lacks size, he has plenty of playmaking ability and he’s excellent in coverage. He’s the early favorite to start over Thomas, who enters his second year with the Jets after being drafted in the third-round last year. Stiggers probably won’t see the field much as a corner unless there are injuries and he’s too valuable as a gunner on special teams.
Safety
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, VJ Payne
The Verdict: Set
The Jets made a splash on the first day of the offseason, acquiring Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins and signing him to a 3-year, $40 million contract. His play slipped a little bit last year, but he’s still one of the top safeties in the league and will bring a much needed veteran presence to the secondary.
Moore had some moments as a rookie last year but struggled at times as well. Belton is an interesting addition as he played mostly special teams for the Giants and is an excellent tackler, an area where the Jets consistently struggle. Payne was the team’s seventh-round pick this year and has plenty of size and speed to challenge for a role. Cisco returns after a disappointing season last year and while he brings veteran depth to the position, his roster spot is not a lock especially if Payne has a strong preseason.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: An updated look at the 2026 New York Jets depth chart: Defense
Reporting by Craig Moffett, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
