Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn have received decent reviews for their first draft as general manager and coach.
Pro Football Focus and NFL.com both gave the Jets’ 2025 draft class a B-plus. ESPN gave the Jets’ Day 1 and Day 2 picks an A. However, they received a B overall because ESPN felt like their Day 3 selections “didn’t muster much.”
Time will tell if this class will produce similar results to the 2022 class, when they drafted both the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year, Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. The Jets also selected Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall in that same draft.
Now that draft season is in the rearview mirror, let’s answer your Jets questions in our latest mailbag.
Based on the positions that the Jets drafted, what do you still see as areas of need? — @FranS3837
The Jets entered the 2025 draft with needs at right tackle, tight end and wide receiver. After selecting Armand Membou and Mason Taylor, the Jets addressed two of those with their first two picks.
However, the wide receiver position remains a concern outside of Wilson. The Jets drafted Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, who has blazing-fast speed. But his hands are inconsistent after recording the most drops (10) of any receiver in the nation last season.
The Jets had other receiver options in Round 4, such as Virginia Tech’s Jaylin Lane, Utah State’s Jalen Royals and Auburn’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who might have been better selections at 110th overall.
In addition to receiver, the defensive tackle spot opposite Quinnen Williams remains a concern after the Jets surprisingly didn’t select one. Last season, the Jets gave up 121.1 rushing yards per game, the 17th best in the league.
The Jets still have $27.2 million in salary cap space, which allows them to address their need for another wide receiver or defensive tackle before training camp in late July.
Do you FEEL like the Jets will pleasantly surprise fans this season? (Gut feeling ) — @Gustoon
If fans think the Jets will end their dreaded 14-year playoff drought in 2025, they may be disappointed. However, there is a world in which the Jets could win more games than they did last season.
Obviously, the roster is missing notable names such as Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Morgan Moses, Haason Reddick and D.J. Reed. But the Jets’ roster has enough talent on both sides of the ball to be competitive and remain in every game next season.
Offensively, the Jets should have an improved rushing attack with quarterback Justin Fields and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who came from the Lions’ staff that averaged 146.4 yards on the ground last year, ranking sixth in the NFL. The Jets’ defense has been a top-five unit each of the previous three seasons, and under Glenn, I expect that unit to at least finish in the top 10.
My concern is that the AFC East has improved from last season. The Patriots spent the most money in free agency and had one of the best drafts this year under new coach Mike Vrabel. So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see New England finish in second place in the division.
The Dolphins organization seems to be in a similar place to where the Jets were a year ago. Their general manager, Chris Grier, and coach, Mike McDaniel, are on the hot seat, and I will throw Tua Tagovailoa in there, too.
The Bills should continue to run the AFC East. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Jets win anywhere from five to seven games in 2025.
Many people think Arian Smith’s pick was a reach. If the Jets think he can be an elite returner (Josh Cribbs level) plus a gadget player on offense, do you think it’s still a reach? — @jetscap
It remains to be seen if he truly can become a Cribbs-type player. I will say Smith has elite speed and was one of the fastest players in this year’s draft. So, somebody was going to take a chance on him on Day 3.
However, considering his hands and how unnatural they are, I would be concerned about putting Smith back there on punt returns. On Day 3, I wouldn’t consider it a significant reach, but I would have selected Royals at that spot because I believe he’s more NFL-ready than Smith.
However, speed like Smith’s does not grow on trees, so I understand why the Jets drafted him.
What is the best food the Jets have made for you and media and what’s one thing you wish they made? — @RealisticJetFan
This isn’t easy, but I remember when they made Jamaican oxtails. Connor Hughes, who works for SNY, had no idea what an oxtail was.
We all have mini offices at the Jets’ facility, and Hughes’ is directly next to mine. Hughes expressed that he had no idea what Jamaican oxtails were and had never tried them in his life. It was so amazing that Hughes now loves oxtails and even went to Manhattan to search for some a year ago.
Of course, I’ve tried making oxtails at home, but the Jets seasoned them perfectly. I will also include their lasagna soup, as we often request that during the fall and winter.
