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Safety Valve: Fortifying the Jets’ Defensive Backs

The Jets will have a plethora of options adding to a major position group.
safety Jordan Whitehead

The New York Jets have long prided themselves on their defense. Its nearly 70-year franchise history has seen some incredible players come and go. This recent run of defensive greatness has etched another chapter in franchise history thanks to Robert Saleh. While the offense has been incapable of breaking the goal line, their defense has consistently kept the Jets in every game. Now, with playoff dreams becoming closer to reality than ever before, it’s important to fortify their strengths. A principal effort of this defense has been the secondary. With all eyes on Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed, the safety position is under evaluation. Jordan Whitehead and Tony Adams produced admirably, but this off-season has a lot of safeties that the Jets can potentially bring in. Rounding out a strong secondary with one of these impact-making safeties can be a massive boost for New York in 2024.

Safety Valve: Fortifying the Jets’ Defensive Backs

The Jets’ secondary could look different by the time September rolls around. Heading into 2023, the duo of Jordan Whitehead and the newly acquired Chuck Clark were expected to be the starting duo this year. Unfortunately, Clark sustained a torn ACL during OTAs in June, forcing him to miss the season. Whitehead was joined regularly by Tony Adams as the starting Safety duo in New York. Whitehead was electric during the season opener with three interceptions off Josh Allen. Alas, his performance for the remainder of the season didn’t live up to that exceptional start. On Friday, February 16, Whitehead was one of four Jets’ players whose contract was voided. Thus, the veteran safety will hit free agency. Douglas will have veteran options to address the safety position.

Eddie Jackson

Last week, the Chicago Bears cut veteran safety Eddie Jackson. Selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft out of Alabama, Jackson made an immediate impact. Defensive savant Vic Fangio turned Jackson into a first-team All-Pro safety in 2018. He became one of the most promising defensive players the Bears had seen since Charles Tillman. Organizational mismanagement and injuries plagued Jackson since then. Playing for a defensive-minded coach like Saleh in a secondary featuring Gardner and Reed would be a massive benefit to Jackson.

Taylor Rapp

If New York is looking for a cost-effective replacement for Whitehead, Taylor Rapp could be interesting. The second-round pick in 2019, Rapp spent his first four seasons in Los Angeles. Between both Ejiro Evero and Raheem Morris, Rapp became a reliable defender in pass coverage next to Jalen Ramsey. His recent stay in Buffalo this year was marred with injuries, but the veteran came through securing a massive interception on Tua Tagovailoa to win the AFC East in Week 18. Imagine his experience playing with Ramsey and its benefits for Sauce Gardner to learn from.

Geno Stone

There will be a lot of options as far as safeties go for New York. Who better than the interception leader among safeties last year? Geno Stone had a career year last year after stepping up in Baltimore. He earned playing time earlier than expected due to the injuries in the secondary in 2022. What followed was a sensational season for the 24-year-old, finishing the season with seven interceptions. With both Mike Macdonald and Dennard Wilson leaving the Ravens, Stone could explore his options. Perhaps playing for a well-respected defensive coordinator like Jeff Ulbrich?

Main Photo: [Jasen Vinlove] – USA Today Sports

Michael Zimmelman

Michael Zimmelman

Michael is an NFL editor & writer covering the New York Jets. His articles strive to provide fans with a unique and engaged perspective highlighting the organization as a whole. From player analysis, transactions, coaching retrospectives and more.

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