The tidal wave that is the start of 2026 NFL Free Agency is officially over and now teams are sifting through what’s left to see if they can find help at discounted prices.
The New York Jets, armed with over $75 million in cap space, went to work to fix a defense that couldn’t sack the quarterback and failed to intercept a pass last season. They also shored up the depth on their offensive line and brought an old friend back to Florham Park to be the team’s starting quarterback.
How much better are the Jets today than they were at the start of last season? Where do they need to get stronger?
Here is the updated New York Jets depth chart on offense as we get closer and closer to the NFL Draft in April:
Quarterback
Geno Smith, Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook
The Verdict: Needs Improvement
Smith makes his return to Florham Park after being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders. His numbers have dipped over the past two seasons, but he remains a strong bridge quarterback for whoever the Jets draft this year or in 2027 to be the team’s future at the position.
The team still plans on adding a veteran quarterback to backup Smith, but the options are starting to dwindle. Tyrod Taylor remains an option to return and there has been reported interest in Tennessee Titans backup Will Levis. Needless to say, there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done and expect the Jets to add a veteran as well as select a young quarterback in April’s draft.
Running Back
Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
The Verdict: Too Early to Tell
The Jets put the franchise tag on Hall as they try to work out an extension. Either way, Hall will be a Jet in 2026, but the depth behind him is questionable at best. Allen and Davis are heading into their third seasons with the team. Both have shown flashes of their physical running style but haven’t been given enough opportunities to be consistent contributors. Allen only played four games last year due to a season-ending ankle injury so the Jets will probably bring him along slowly in training camp.
But, the primary concern is the future of Hall and the fans will breathe a major sigh of relief if the team can get him signed to a long-term deal.
Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Arian Smith, Isaiah Williams
The Verdict: Needs Improvement
The Jets elected not to sign a veteran wide receiver during the first week of free agency and will definitely address this position during draft weekend. Wilson should be fully healthy after missing half of last year with a knee injury. Mitchell is better suited as a WR3 and Smith may not even have a roster spot if he doesn’t have a strong preseason.
With four picks in the first two rounds of the draft, the Jets will almost certainly add a receiver in what is a very deep draft class. Multiple reports say they will add a veteran as well with Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs and Christian Kirk still available. GM Darren Mougey has zero intention of overpaying for a veteran and if he can’t get the player at the right price, he’ll use the draft to improve the position.
Offensive Line
Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Dylan Parham, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Chukwuma Okorafor
The Verdict: Set
The one area where the Jets have always had an issue looks as complete as can possibly be. While they did lose both John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker to free agency, they found an good replacement in Parham, who graded out better than Simpson last season. They brought back key depth players in Mitchell and Newman. Tippmann was terrific at right guard after the Jets lost Vera-Tucker before the season began and Myers played well as the starting center.
While there has been some talk that the Jets could target Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane with the #16 pick in the draft, it is no longer a pressing need to fix an area of the team that has been a weak spot for a very long time and they could just as easily use one of their Day two or Day three picks make an already strong unit stronger.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Updated 2026 New York Jets depth chart: Offense
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