As a team that is clearly in win-now mode, the Jets' offseason acquisitions in 2024 will play a major role in the team's success this season. Aaron Rodgers clearly gives them one of the greatest QBs of all time. But no one knows how long Rodgers will play.
His season-long injury last year also adds some uncertainty to next season. After all, Rodgers is going to need all the help he can get.
Ranking of Jets offseason acquisitions
Although the Jets did not use the franchise tag this season, they were active in other ways. The question is whether the Jets' offseason acquisitions in 2024 have made the team better and will be enough to get them to the playoffs this season.
To help answer these questions, let's take a closer look at some of the New York Jets' picks and other offseason moves as we look to rank their offseason.
Signed by Tyrone Smith – B+
This is a move the Jets had to make in order to protect Rodgers, whose mobility may be further limited after his Achilles injury. Paying a 33-year-old offensive lineman $20 million is a serious investment for a one-year contract. Maybe Smith is worth it after earning Second-Team All-Pro honors last year.
However, he hasn't played a full season since 2015 and played just 17 games from 2020 to 2022. These injury concerns keep this from being a home run for the Jets.
Drafting by Olu Fashanu – B
The Jets don't make many draft picks, but this was a safe and smart first-round pick.
After signing Smith before the draft, they don't have to rush Olu Fashanu onto the field. But it gives them a talented backup with a bright future.
Trading for Morgan Moses — A-
The Jets have had Morgan Moses for two years, so they know he's a good, reliable player. He's not a professional player, but he's not a liability either.
Moses isn't a health concern like Smith, which is a positive. Additionally, the Jets only gave up a sixth-round pick while running back a fourth-round pick to get him, which is almost nothing.
Signed by Mike Williams – C+
It's not hard to see what the Jets were thinking with this signing. But the Jets gave the wide receiver a one-year, $15 million deal after he tore his ACL and played just three games last year.
There is no guarantee that Mike Williams will be completely healthy at the start of the season. They clearly needed another legitimate threat to complement Garrett Williams, but there was some risk in the move.
Trading for Hasson Reddick – A
After losing Bryce Huff in free agency, trading for Haason Reddick was just what the Jets needed.
Giving up a third-round pick is reasonable for a player who has double-digit sacks in four straight years. It is difficult to poke holes in this movement.
Signed by Javon Kinlaw – Dr
Other than Javon Kinlaw knowing Robert Saleh, it's hard to justify giving him a one-year, $7.25 million deal. After all, the 49ers didn't even exercise the fifth-year option of the former first-round pick.
In theory, Kinlaw has made positive strides in the past year and made some progress. But this is potentially a wasteful signing that offers no guarantee of success and doesn't even offer that much upside.
Trading away Zach Wilson — A-
No matter what the Jets brought him back, trading Zach Wilson away was a good move.
The trade looks even better when combined with the signing of Tyrod Taylor to back up Rodgers. Of course, the Jets deserve a failing grade for drafting Wilson in the first place. But cutting bait on him in favor of a veteran backup player like Taylor was a great decision by the Jets.
Final grade – B
For the most part, the Jets' free agency scores have been positive, helping the team have a great offseason.
Naturally, there have been one or two surprising moves and some player acquisitions carry some risks. However, the Jets' focus was clearly on offense and the front seven, which was smart. The biggest caveat is that they spent a significant amount of money on players with injury concerns. But those were calculated risks that had the potential to make the Jets a playoff-caliber team if they succeeded.
