The Jets were one of only two NFL teams that earned an "A" grade after they recently added 11 players via free agency and trades, according to Zachary Pereles of CBSsports.com.
"This very much feels like a 'let's get some adults in the room' offseason, especially on defense," Pereles wrote at the beginning of his analysis.
In the first wave of free agency, the Jets signed DL David Onyemata, LB Demario Davis, edges Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, CB Nahshon Wright and G Dylan Parham.
General Manager Darren Mougey continued his strong work in the trade market with the acquisitions of S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami), T'Vondre Sweat (Tennessee) and QB Geno Smith (Las Vegas).
"Onyemata was quietly very good last year, and with him alongside Ossai, Sweat, Enagbare, Jowon Briggs, Will McDonald IV and Harrison Phillips, the defensive front is sturdy if unspectacular. Remember, the Jets very well could take an edge at No. 2 overall in the draft, too."
The Jets currently have two selections in the first round of next month's NFL Draft in Pittsburgh -- Nos. 2 and 16 -- plus two more in the second round -- Nos. 33 and 44.
"Davis returns to New York and will make sure the linebacking is sound," Pereles wrote. "Fitzpatrick keeps everything in order on the back end and Wright recorded 5 interceptions in 2025."
Days before trading QB Justin Fields to Kansas City for a late-round draft pick in 2027, the Green & White brought back Smith and penciled him in as QB1 in his return to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
"The Smith trade is a win, too," Pereles wrote. "No matter what you think of the quarterback himself, the Jets moved down just 20 spots in the draft [swapping a sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick coming from the Raiders] and are still only paying a small part of Smith's salary. He struggled in 2025, but so, too, did the Raiders. He should be at least viable for New York.
"The Jets show a deep understanding of who they are: a team that first has to get serious in order to build under [head coach] Aaron Glenn after 2025. With a bevy of extra first-round picks on the way [3 in 2027], the Jets are moving in the right direction, even if they're still a ways from competing."
The Rams were the only other NFL team to get a top grade from Pereles.
