Grading the Jets' 2024 NFL free agency additions and trades

With the so-called legal tampering period well underway we’re going to provide some quick analysis and attempt to assign grades to the moves made by the Jets so far.

We’ll be updating this post with analysis on any new moves that are reported over the next few days.

The first day was largely frustrating for Jets fans, as some of their rumored targets came off the board and they failed to address key needs in the offensive tackle and wide receiver positions. The loss of stud pass rusher Bryce Huff, who reportedly agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, rubbed salt in the wound.

Here’s what we think of what they’ve done so far:

T Morgan Moses – Acquired via trade from the Baltimore Ravens

The Jets addressed their desperate need for a starting tackle by re-acquiring a player who did a solid job for them in the 2021 season. Although Moses is now 33, he played well over the past two seasons and seems to still have plenty in the tank.

Moses has started at least 14 games in each of the past nine seasons, so the Jets will be hoping he is someone they can rely upon to stay on the field and bring much-needed stability to a group that struggled to cope with constant injury issues over the past few years.

He is under contract for a reasonable $5.5 million for the 2024 season and the trade compensation is also good value, as the Jets simply moved back in the fourth round of the upcoming draft and kicked in a sixth-round pick.

Grade: A

G John Simpson – Agreed to two-year deal worth up to $18 million

Simpson is a 26-year-old former fourth-round pick who started all 19 games for the Ravens at left guard last season. He had begun his career with the Raiders, with whom he started every game in 2021 but was a reserve in his other two seasons.

General manager Joe Douglas was criticized on Monday for being unable to address the offensive line until this deal was finally reported late at night. The team reportedly was making a push for Damien Lewis, but once he agreed to terms on a deal with the Panthers worth over $13 million per year, the Jets agreed to the deal with Simpson instead.

$9 million per season seems a little higher than expected for Simpson, although the wording in the initial report implies that at least some of this amount will be tied up in performance incentives. He is still cheaper than Laken Tomlinson, the man he’ll likely replace at left guard, and the Jets will hope he is just about to enter his prime.

Adding some durability to their starting group was a key priority this offseason and Simpson brings this, along with size, athleticism and some good pass protection numbers (only one sack allowed last season). However, they’ll hope for better on-field discipline from a player called for 13 penalties last season.

Initial Grade: C+

QB Tyrod Taylor – Agreed to terms on two-year contract

The Jets signing an established veteran to back up Aaron Rodgers this offseason was the league’s worst-kept secret, and the Jets will hope they don’t need to worry about this again for a while after agreeing to a two-year pact with a 34-year-old who has started 58 games in his professional career.

Taylor played well with the Giants last season, although he once again spent time on injured reserve after suffering a rib injury on a hit from his new teammate C.J. Mosley. That’s the main concern with Taylor who has been injured multiple times in the past few seasons. However, he has a .500 record as a starter, still has good mobility and can be a good game-manager. Taylor has only thrown multiple interceptions in a game twice in his entire career.

Given the options on the market, many of whom would have been keen to sign for a team where they had a realistic chance to compete to be the starter, Taylor always seemed to be one of the most ideal choices for this role. Ironically, if all goes to plan from here on in, he’ll spend most of the next few seasons on the bench.

Initial Grade: A-

DT Javon Kinlaw – Reached agreement on one-year deal

No sooner had the Simpson deal been reported, the Jets were also reported to have agreed to terms with former first-round pick Kinlaw. The Jets have an obvious need at the defensive tackle position and head coach Robert Saleh will be familiar with Kinlaw having still been the 49ers defensive coordinator during Kinlaw’s rookie season. However, it’s fair to note that the 26-year-old has been a big disappointment in San Francisco during the first four years of his career.

Kinlaw obviously possesses size and athleticism but his consistency and statistical production with the 49ers were poor and he did not grade out well against the run. Nevertheless, he made some strides as a pass rusher throughout his four seasons, posting a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2023. The Jets will be hoping that this is a sign that he’s starting to figure out how to make an impact at the pro level.

This is a high-upside move for a player who is obviously talented and may yet have some untapped potential that the Jets can unlock as he enters his prime. He should slide right into the rotation in 2024.

Initial Grade: C

CB Isaiah Oliver – Signed to one-year deal

This move was actually agreed to before the legal tampering window opened and announced by the team on Monday. Since Oliver was released by the 49ers a few weeks ago, the tampering rules do not apply in his case.

Although this is a low-key move, it is one that provides the Jets with some useful secondary depth. Oliver has played extensively both on the outside and in the slot and has 44 career starts. Many of these were while he was in Atlanta where current Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was on the coaching staff.

Grade: B-

DT Leki Fotu – Signed to one-year deal

The Jets don’t generally employ a big-bodied run stuffer in their main rotation but it’s always useful to have one on the roster for short-yardage situations and the Jets definitely missed Al Woods after he was injured last year. The 335-pound Fotu, who started 18 games over the past two seasons, can potentially fill this role.

Fotu is still only 25 years old, and may have some untapped potential, but his run defense can be inconsistent according to analytical sites such as ProFootballFocus.

In 2023, Fotu had a career-best 2.5 sacks so his ability to disrupt in the passing game may be an area that he can continue to develop. Ultimately, he will probably end up in a backup role, having reportedly agreed to a deal worth $2.5 million with another $1.5 million in potential incentives.

Grade: C-

Note: The Jets did also make some moves right before the legal tampering window opened, as they reportedly agreed terms to bring back three of their own free agents – safety Chuck Clark, kicker Greg Zuerlein and tight end Kenny Yeboah.

Zuerlein, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, $8.4 million deal, was an important move but one that was widely expected. The other two signings were presumably low-level deals. Clark likely would have been in the mix to start last year but spent the season on injured reserve.

DE Haason Reddick - Acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional 2026 third round pick

The Jets were in the market for a veteran edge rusher after Huff's departure, but few expected them to make a deal for a two-time pro bowler who has been among the league leaders in sacks over the past four seasons. The Jets already have John Franklin-Myers, their second-highest paid defensive player, and pro bowler Jermaine Johnson starting on the edge, so this gives them a third option who can bring elite-level production to their already formidable pass rush.

Reddick is also better against the run than Huff and shows no immediate signs of slowing down, although he is four years older. He only has one year left on his contract, though, so the Jets may move quickly to extend him and bring his 2024 cap number down.

Initial Grade: A-

T Tyron Smith - Signed to a one-year deal worth up to $20 million

The Jets were desperate for help at the tackle positions and locked up perhaps the top available free agent when they signed the eight-time pro bowler Smith to an incentive-laden deal.

There's no question that Smith is one of the best tackles in the NFL when healthy and he did manage to start 13 games last season. However, he had a series of injury issues prior to that and could be considered past his prime at 33 years old.

By adding both Smith and Moses, the Jets are now no longer a lock to select a tackle with the 10th overall pick in April's draft. However, both only signed one-year deals so this could still be in play.

Initial Grade: A-

WR Mike Williams - Signed to a one-year deal worth up to $15 million

Williams, who has recorded a thousand-yard season twice in his career, offers the Jets an unquestionable talent upgrade at wide receiver, giving Garrett Wilson a teammate who can draw coverage attention away from him and provide a threat in the red zone.

The issue with Williams is that he is coming off a torn ACL, suffered early last season. The Jets are hopeful that he'll be ready in time for the start of the season, but the move could backfire if he suffers a setback.

The Jets may not be done at the wide receiver position, but Williams and Wilson give Aaron Rodgers a pair of impact receivers and real hope that the offense will be much better in 2024 than it was last season.

Initial Grade: B+

Conclusions and Final Grades

The Jets have successfully overhauled their starting unit on the offensive line, something which was obviously a major priority for the organization. This should enable them to leave Alijah Vera-Tucker at right guard all year and affords them flexibility heading into the draft.

Filling out the rotation on the defensive line was also important and the Jets achieved this with two free agent acquisitions and by re-signing Solomon Thomas. Making the splash for Reddick was more unexpected, but further fortifies an already impressive unit.

The talent upgrade that Williams provides at wide receiver and the peace of mind having an established backup like Taylor brings are also important.

It's an offseason approach that doesn't come without a downside, though. The Jets already have a few key players returning from injury and have added a few free agents with durability concerns of their own. If everyone can stay healthy, the Jets look to be in good shape, but that's by no means certain.

Initial Grade: B+