The New York Jets don’t need to panic about their starting offensive line, but the depth behind it could get exposed fast.
That’s the real lesson to take from what the Jacksonville Jaguars just did. Jacksonville sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Giants for backup guard Daniel Faalele, a move that underscored how quickly teams can move to shore up a vulnerable spot when final cuts start shaking loose. For the Jets, it’s the kind of example worth watching closely.
Darren Mougey has already signaled that the top of the line is in decent shape, especially after re-signing guard Joe Tippmann earlier this summer. But one injury can scramble everything for a unit charged with protecting Geno Smith - and potentially Cade Klubnik - and the Jets saw enough to know the concern is real. Sixth-round rookie Anez Cooper showed some promise in the preseason opener against the Buccaneers, but his struggles against the Steelers this past weekend made the bigger point even clearer.
That’s why the Jets should be ready to act if veteran linemen become available in the coming days. The Jaguars’ move offered a simple blueprint: when a useful blocker is on the market, don’t sit back and hope the problem goes away. Faalele matters here because he brings a résumé that teams notice, having started every game over the last two years in Baltimore.
One thing the Jets should not do is go after Evan Neal. The source makes it clear that route is off the table.
The bigger question is what happens if the Jets have to dip into their backup options. If Josh Myers were to get hurt, it would be interesting to see whether Aaron Glenn would shift Tippmann back to center. Right now, Xavier Newman looks like the backup center, and he has appeared in 21 games with four starts since joining the Jets in 2023.
Final cuts can turn chaotic in a hurry, and it’s too early to know exactly which linemen will hit the market. Some teams could follow the Giants’ lead and move a projected high-end backup, while a starter somewhere else might unexpectedly become available. The exact names are still a mystery, but the Jets’ approach should be obvious: if a chance comes to strengthen the line, Mougey and Glenn can’t stand still.
And that, in a way, is part of the point. The conversation around the Jets is no longer about quarterback drama or Glenn’s job security. It’s about the depth chart, the offensive line, and whether Mougey can keep the momentum going as Week 1 approaches.
In Other News...
Jets Have An Early Problem In The Middle Of Their Defense
David Onyemata was brought in to help steady the middle of the Jets defense, especially against the run, after that area proved vulnerable last season. Instead, the preseason has opened with a rough stretch for the veteran lineman, who has earned the lowest Pro Football Focus grade on the team so far and has not yet looked like the immediate upgrade the Jets were counting on.
The good news for New York is that the depth chart is not completely locked in behind him, and the team does have other defensive line options waiting if the early issues carry over into the regular season. T'Vondre Sweat and Jowon Briggs are among the names the Jets can turn to, which gives them some flexibility, but it also makes Onyematas next few weeks more important as he tries to settle in and justify the starting job. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie Omar Cooper Jr Suddenly Has Real WR3 Momentum
The Jets are still sorting out their wide receiver depth, and the battle for the third spot has become one of the more interesting things to watch in camp. Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. entered the first preseason game as a backup, but by the next one he was taking first-team reps with the starting offense, a sign that his stock is moving in the right direction as the team continues to evaluate its options.
Isaiah Williams remains in the mix, but his fumble in the second preseason game did not help a competition that already looked tight. The Jets have not made a decision on WR3 yet, and that uncertainty keeps this race open, but Coopers growing involvement suggests he is very much a strong candidate as the roster picture starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Changed Who Gets A Real Shot Before Cutdown Day
The final week of the preseason brought a small roster shuffle for the Jets, who signed three undrafted free agents in Anthony Dunn, Dominic Richardson and Tanner Wall while waiving Caullin Lacy, Sam Scott and Nate Voorhis, all of whom were dealing with injuries. It is the kind of late-August move that can get overlooked, but for players on the fringe, every open practice rep matters at this stage of camp.
With the preseason finale against the Giants on deck, the new arrivals now have a narrow window to make their case for a roster spot or at least a place on the practice squad. For the Jets, it is another reminder that cutdown season is as much about opportunity as it is about attrition, and the next few days will determine whether this batch of newcomers gets a real look or simply serves as one more temporary layer of depth. [Read more 🡒]