The 2025 NFL draft is right around the corner and the New York Jets have some areas on the offensive side of the ball that still need to be improved. While the strategy for GM Darren Mougey and Head Coach Aaron Glenn has been focused more on players that are “low risk, high reward”, the Jets still lack talent at some key positions and perhaps some uncertainty regarding certain player’s futures with the team.
As the smoke clears on free agency, here are four questions on offense the Jets need to find answers to:
Who starts opposite Garrett Wilson?
The Jets released Davante Adams early in the offseason as his cap number was simply too high for the team to justify keeping him around. While it was a necessary evil, the move also left a glaring hole opposite Garrett Wilson at wide receiver. In a surprising move, Allen Lazard agreed to a huge pay cut to stay with the team. He’s not a lock by any means to be on the final roster, but Lazard must have liked what Glenn and Mougey were selling for him to remain in New York on a lower salary.
The Jets signed Josh Reynolds, who has plenty of familiarity with Glenn and Mougey and could add another veteran to the receiver room as there are a few interesting names still available. Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are coming off mediocre seasons and would be good compliments to Wilson as neither would take away much from GW’s targets on a weekly basis. If Glenn and Mougey want to stay with their “youth and untapped potential” strategy, the Jets could consider a reunion with Elijah Moore. There are plenty of options to choose from, but it’s pretty clear that Wilson will be the primary pass catcher this season.
Will Breece Hall Be Happy Sharing Carries?
Glenn recently said that he plans to use a running back by committee approach this season similar to what he had in Detroit with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Jets have a very crowded backfield with Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Add Justin Fields to the mix and the team has four players capable of running the football. That may not make Hall very happy as not only does he prefer to be the featured back, but he’s also looking for a new contract. Keep an eye on this situation as Hall could request a trade to a team that would make him their primary running back as it’s uncertain if the Jets will commit to him long term.
Who is Starting at Right Tackle?
The Jets lost Morgan Moses on the first day of free agency to the New England Patriots and have yet to find the missing piece to complete the puzzle on the offensive line. Most mock drafts have the Jets linked to Missouri OT Armand Membou with the seventh pick. Membou would complete the overhaul of the offensive line and give the Jets two young tackles in him and Olu Fashanu for hopefully the next decade.
They signed Chukwuma Okorafor this offseason and while he’s listed at the top of the depth chart at right tackle, it seems more likely than not that someone else will be the starter this season. If the Jets don’t wind up with Membou or LSU OT Will Campbell, they could roll the dice on former first round pick Jedrick Wills on a short-term deal to continue their “low risk, high reward” strategy for free agents.
Is Jeremy Ruckert the Starting Tight End?
Ruckert wasn’t very good last season, but he hasn’t been given much of a chance to establish himself as an offensive weapon. He has a golden opportunity to take the starting tight job now that Tyler Conklin in Los Angeles with the Chargers.
Another positive sign for Ruckert is that he’s reunited with Fields, his quarterback at Ohio State. This guarantees nothing for Ruckert to have the starting job, let alone be on the roster before the end of training camp. The tight end class is very strong in this NFL Draft with Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland most likely first round selections. Ruckert has a tough mountain to climb, but one thing about Aaron Glenn and his coaching staff is they preach patience and that is something that can work in his favor.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 4 questions the New York Jets still need to address on offense