As the first wave of free agency starts to slow down, it’s a good time to reassess the Jets’ biggest needs and where they currently stand. The team has made a series of signings -- many of them low-cost, low-risk moves.

At this stage, it’s fair to say that the Jets have improved their depth at a number of positions. However, what remains uncertain is whether they’ve actually upgraded in some of their main areas of apparent weakness.

Let’s recap what they’ve done so far to address some of their main needs and what could be left for them to do...

Right Tackle

The Jets are fortunate enough to be returning four starters from the group that played together for most of the second half of last season. The interior trio is intact, and Olu Fashanu will be returning from injury to man the left tackle spot. However, Morgan Moses’ departure leaves a glaring hole on the right side.

Chukwuma Okorafor was signed, and although he has 60 career starts and was a Week 1 starter in New England last season, he will most likely be viewed as a reclamation project rather than an initial candidate for the starting role. He was said to have been contemplating retirement after lasting just 12 snaps in his only start of last season, but has evidently decided to give it another try with the Jets. Even at his best, though, the 27-year old was just an average rather than top-level starter.

If you were to draw up a depth chart based on the current roster, one of New York’s former mid-round picks -- Max Mitchell or Carter Warren -- would probably be the starter right now. Each has seen some relief work but struggled when called upon to start. Of the two, Mitchell has been the more consistent, but has still typically been a weak link.

There aren’t any ideal starting options on the open market, either, with Cam Robinson a left tackle by trade and Jedrick Wills having durability concerns. Barring a surprise trade, or an outside the box move such as bringing last year’s left tackle Tyron Smith back to play on the right, the Jets may be heading into the draft with this as their primary need, and Armand Membou squarely in their sights with the seventh pick. That would limit their leverage and flexibility, though.

Defensive Tackle

The Jets entered the offseason with just three defensive tackles under contract: Quinnen Williams, Leonard Taylor III, and Phidarian Mathis. Williams is a star, but while Taylor showed promise as an undrafted rookie, he’s probably not ready for a starting role yet. Mathis was a late-season waiver claim last season who is yet to make his Jets debut.

New York certainly addressed the need for more depth at this position with a trio of low-cost veteran signings: Jay Tufele, Byron Cowart, and Derrick Nnadi. In each case, though, these players seem like a better fit as rotational contributors rather than someone who could elevate the defense as a starter alongside Williams.

Nnadi had been a starter for the Chiefs until last season but saw his workload reduced dramatically as he only started just one game, Cowart is a journeyman who had been on six other teams before signing with the Jets, and Tufele has basically been a backup his whole career.

The good news here is that it’s regarded as an extremely strong and deep defensive tackle class in this year's draft, so the Jets should be able to find at least one immediate contributor with upside. That’s likely the plan at this position.

Pass Catchers

The departure of Davante Adams leaves the Jets light on weapons for the passing game, which is something that needs to be addressed in order to help the incoming Justin Fields settle in.

So far, Tyler Johnson is the only wide receiver the Jets have signed. Once again, this would be considered a depth addition rather than an upgrade. The 26-year-old had a bounce back season in 2024 after barely playing the previous two seasons. However, his career-high in terms of receptions is just 36 back in 2021, so he’d ideally just be a fourth or fifth option.

The draft could be a good option to find someone to start along with Garrett Wilson. The Jets -- to the surprise of some fans and analysts -- are also said to be contemplating retaining Allen Lazard in spite of his $13.2 million cap number. There are a few big names still available, but these are mostly older players or ones with injury issues.

The outlook at tight end is similar, with the promising Stone Smartt having been brought in to add depth, but he would need to break out in a big way to be considered starter material. Free agent Tyler Conklin remains unsigned, so the Jets could perhaps bring him back at the right price. Otherwise, entering the draft with Smartt and Jeremy Ruckert as their top two would likely tip their hand as to how they will need to use one of their top picks.

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