If you read my previous pre-draft 2026 Team Preview of the Jets which was analyzing the team as of now from an offensive perspective, you could see that they have concerns but a lot of promise. The offense could absolutely be very good if not great but the defensive side of the ball as of now is a big concern. Defensive minded head coach Aaron Glenn is heading into year 2 on the job after a very tumultuous rookie head coach season. The Jets, despite Glenn’s defensive background, were amongst the worst defensive teams in the NFL this past season. As they allowed the 2nd most points and were the first team in league history to go an entire season without logging an interception. Glenn is firmly on the hot seat headed into next season but a positive to take away for Jets’ fans would be the following. The defensive-minded Robert Saleh in his first season as the Jets’ head coach fielded a Jets’ defense that was even worse than Glenn’s defense was in his first season. The Jets under Saleh then proceeded to have the NFL’s highest graded defense in each of Saleh’s next two seasons according to Pro Football Focus. Although I would not bank on a repeat of such a drastic turnaround, it is certainly very possible that it could occur. I would also venture to say that it is likely that the Jets will field at least a respectable defense next season and that it noticeably improves from Glenn’s first year. The Jets have hired a new defensive coordinator to work under Glenn who will be a rookie in the role as well. From a personnel standpoint on defense the Jets have some talent but also many concerns. Below I will go into detail analyzing the Jets’ personnel on the defensive side of things.
At the first of the starting edge rusher positions currently listed on the Jets’ depth chart is 2021 third rounder Joseph Ossai. Ossai is likely better suited as a backup as every season he has played extended snaps in, he has graded in the below average range according to Pro Football Focus. Ossai is the current listed starter but is a prime candidate to be replaced as a starter on the defensive front. At the other starting edge rusher role is 2023 first rounder Will McDonald IV who has been a bust in the NFL thus far. McDonald IV, despite his high draft standing, is likely better suited as a backup as well as of now. However, McDonald IV in limited rookie snaps played well and seemed to be worthy of his high draft selection. But in the past two seasons he has graded in the below average range among players at his position while playing extended snaps.
The Jets’ interior defensive line talent is perhaps the best in the NFL. Starting defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat who was a second-round pick in the 2024 draft has lived up to if not exceeded expectations in the league thus far. Sweat as of now is amongst the premier defensive tackles in the sport as he enters his prime. Supplementing Sweat on the interior of the defensive front is Harrison Phillips who consistently is among the better defensive tackles in the sport, although not elite.
The Jets’ starting linebacker core has some talent but also some concerns. The standout in the unit is veteran Demario Davis, who despite his advanced age, is amongst the best defensive players in the NFL. The other linebacking spots are a concern as 2025 5th rounder Kiko Mauigoa is set to start after a subpar rookie season as a late round draft pick. Set to start at the last of the three linebacker spots is Mykal Walker. A player with a high ceiling but who is unfortunately very inconsistent.
From a reserve standpoint in the Jets’ front seven they have many notable names. Names that could become even more important as they could threaten for starting jobs given the holes the Jets have in their starting front seven. 2023 first rounder defensive tackle Mazi Smith is on the team, although Smith has been a bust in the NFL thus far, he has yet to play a full season and could very well start to live up to his potential. Defensive tackle David Onyemata is currently in the reserve unit of the Jets’ defensive front as well. Onyemata is among the better if not the best overall defensive tackles in the sport. Which goes to show the talent that the Jets have on their interior defensive line, that he remains in a reserve role as of now. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood is amongst the best reserve defensive players in the sport as of now and could eventually threaten for a starting job given the Jets’ starting linebacker concerns. 2024 7th rounder defensive tackle Jowon Briggs has looked borderline elite in limited NFL snaps and could also maybe threaten for a starting job, especially if he can adapt to being an edge rusher as well, given the Jets’ need at the position. The Jets have 2-3 other potential starters to high end backups in their reserve front seven as well.
From a secondary standpoint, the theme of high-end talent but still concerns continues to persist. At the first of the two starting cornerback spots is 2025 third rounder Azareyah Thomas who had a respectable but not noteworthy rookie season. Thomas could certainly become a solid starter if not more than that as he heads into year 2, but as of now whether or not the Jets have a capable starter in their first cornerback spot is a question mark. At strong safety veteran Andre Cisco is set to start and is a capable starter but is inconsistent. In his first three seasons Cisco graded above average in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus among all players at his position but has graded below average in that same department for the past two seasons in a row now. Newly acquired star veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick who was acquired this offseason from the Dolphins is set to start at the free safety spot. Fitzpatrick is amongst the best defensive players in the sport and will provide stability to the Jets’ secondary that needs it. Cornerback Brandon Stephens is set to start at the other cornerback position but is likely better suited as a high-end backup. Stephens in two of his five NFL seasons has graded above average among players at his position but cannot maintain that level of play. 2024 fifth rounder Jarvis Brownlee Jr is set to start at the last cornerback spot but has consistently graded below average and is not an NFL caliber starter as of now in my estimation.
Like the front seven of the team, the Jets have many notable names that could become very crucial, as they could eventually compete for starting jobs given the needs that New York has. Cornerback Nahshon Wright in his first full season of snaps in 2025 graded above average among players at his position and could threaten for a starting job. Cornerback Samuel Womack III has consistently graded as above average in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus on a year-to-year basis, although in reserve snaps. Womack III will provide the Jets with some strong depth in their secondary and could also threaten for a starting job as well.
Overall, from a defensive perspective, the Jets have their concerns but could very well be a strong defensive team next season. Head coach Aaron Glenn as he heads into his second season on the job will be on the hot seat. If Glenn was indeed the right hire as a coach with a defensive background, the Jets’ defense should be coached at an elite level next season, even with a rookie defensive coordinator. However, as of now Glenn does not seem to be the right hire but could prove to be a strong head coach. If the Jets’ defense is coached at an elite level next season, I don’t see why it cannot be amongst the premier defenses in the sport in 2026. Although the Jets have many holes from defensive personnel standpoint, their high-end talent in Fitzpatrick, Sweat, and Demario Davis ranks up there with any team in the NFL. The holes that the Jets have on defense are certainly fillable in the rest of the offseason cycle and by some of the notable reserves they have on their roster. As of now the Jets have a solid defensive roster that could become an above average one eventually as young players improve, as the Jets add more talent in the offseason, and if/when notable reserves become starters. A solid to an above average defensive roster being coached at an elite level means that the Jets could have among the premier NFL defenses next season if Glenn indeed was the right hire.
