The Jets spent the offseason reshaping the middle of their defensive line, and the changes are hard to miss. New York traded for T'Vondre Sweat, landing him from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Jermaine Johnson II, and also brought in veteran David Onyemata in free agency.
With Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs back in the mix, Jets Wire put together a ranking of the team’s interior defensive linemen heading into training camp.
At No. 4 is Jowon Briggs, who turned into one of the brighter surprises on the roster last season. After coming over from the Cleveland Browns, he produced four sacks and gave the Jets real juice as a disruptive interior presence. The expectation now is that he can keep that momentum going as a rotational pass rusher.
No. 3 belongs to Harrison Phillips, a steady veteran whose calling card is stopping the run. That skill set matters for a Jets defense that finished 29th against the run last season, and Phillips simply didn’t have enough support around him. With more help coming, the hope is that he can play care-free football in 2026.
T'Vondre Sweat checks in at No. 2, and the Jets are banking on him and Phillips changing the look of the run defense. Sweat brings rare movement skills for a player his size, and the team believes it is getting a motivated version of the big nose tackle, one capable of overwhelming offensive linemen.
David Onyemata lands at No. 1 after signing a one-year deal worth $10 million. He posted a career-high 62 tackles for the Atlanta Falcons last season and arrives with a reputation for reliability. Onyemata also has a familiar connection with head coach Aaron Glenn, having played for him previously in New Orleans, and he fits the description of a defender who just keeps producing.
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