New York Jets

The New York Jets' top stars from their 2022 NFL draft class are sticking around for at least two more seasons.

New York exercised its fifth-year club options on cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and defensive end Jermaine Johnson., according to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

Gardner will make the most of the bunch with a $20.2 million salary for 2026, while Wilson and Johnson will earn $16.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively.

The Jets anticipate exercising the fifth-year options on Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Jermaine Johnson pic.twitter.com/XdiYDwHdKj

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) April 21, 2025

Of the group, Wilson might be the most interesting to follow thanks to the market spike for receivers and the fact that he has yet to make a true breakthrough after an encouraging rookie campaign. He is set to make $1.1 million in base salary in 2025 and is relatively underpaid based on his production.

While that is frequently the case with rookie contracts for those who thrive early in their careers, it also puts the wide receiver under the spotlight heading into the offseason since he's eligible for a contract extension.

What's more, there was some noise surrounding Wilson and his status with the team, especially in light of his relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in December 2024 that "all is not well with Rodgers and Wilson." He noted the wide receiver could have looked to request a trade if the veteran quarterback returned in 2025.

"Privately, there have been questions regarding whether Rodgers and Wilson can find common ground since they had a blowup during training camp," Rapoport wrote.

(after review) HOLY ONE-HAND GARRETT FREAKING WILSON TOUCHDOOOOOWN❕❕❕#HOUvsNYJ on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/htLVwK7TA6

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 1, 2024

Wilson's role with the Jets changed some when they traded for Davante Adams, who had years of chemistry with Rodgers from their time together on the Green Bay Packers. The Ohio State product scored just two touchdowns in the final eight games and frequently seemed to be overshadowed by Adams in the offense.

But the Jets moved on from Rodgers and added Wilson's college teammate, Justin Fields, under center. They surely want the wide receiver to remain, which is no surprise after his first three years in the league.

The 2022 first-round pick surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, including in 2024 when he posted 101 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns. Those were all career-high marks, suggesting he is only improving with more experience.

His next step would be helping lead the Jets to the playoffs for the first time during his career, which would be quite the step after the team was among the most disappointing in the league with a 5-12 record in 2024.

Wilson's future with the Jets may have been something of a question mark coming into the offseason, but the team provided a bit more clarity with this move.

The New York Jets selected Missouri OT Armand Membou with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Armand Membou is a two-year starter at right tackle inside Missouri's 57-43 run-pass split, zone-based run scheme. Membou turns 21 years old a month before the 2025 NFL Draft. Membou has a dense, thick build with very good arm length, athletic ability, power and competitive toughness.

Membou operated inside of a zone-based run scheme at Mizzou, where he excelled using very good quickness and his big body to cover up the frontside end, work his hips around to seal and kick out when necessary. He has the body control, jarring power and nasty demeanor to sustain, displace and dump defenders in the second and third phase of a block. Membou does show inconsistency in his aiming points on backside combination blocks where he will work too short or overrun his target, which leads to penetration. He also is susceptible to being over-aggressive on backside cut-offs, allowing slants and gap exchanges to cross his face.

In pass protection Membou glides out of his stance with the fluidity to expand his set points and maintain his balance up the arc to widen the corner with control against widely-aligned, high-side rushes with the redirect ability to cut-off inside counters. He shows good length and flashes of proper strike timing to establish first meaningful contact with his punch and anchor on command but will also get caught off-guard against speed to power, usually due to tardy hands.

Overall, Membou is a young prospect who is a loose, explosive mover with a dense, powerful build, good length, and a rugged demeanor that allows him to match up on an island in pass protection and deliver body blows as a finisher. There are rough edges with his aiming points and hands that lead to penetration and falling off of blocks that will need to get cleaned up. Still, his physical tools, pass protection skills and demeanor signal a year one starter with the runway to become an impact player at tackle or guard.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 332

HAND: 9¾"

ARM: 33½"

WINGSPAN: 82"

40-YARD DASH: 4.91

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 34"

BROAD: 9'7"

POSITIVES

— Twitched up, explosive mover with a dense, thick build

— Excellent raw strength and natural power

— Shows the range to beat widely aligned rushers to the spot, expand and remain balanced at the top of the QB's drop

— Has the length to establish first meaningful contact on defenders to clench and end reps quickly

— Excels widening out, hooking and displacing the frontside end on wide zone runs

— Brings an imposing demeanor with the sustain skills and power to deliver body blows as a finisher

— Notable linear improvement in technique as the 2024 season progressed

NEGATIVES

— Will get caught short on his aiming points in the run game and/or overrun his target, allowing quick penetration on combo overtakes and reach blocks

— Tends to drop his eyes as defenders work off and attempt to slip his drive blocks leaving him overextended and off balance

— Will be tardy with strike timing against speed to power that exposes his chest and saps his anchor

NOTES

— Born March 27, 2004

— 4-star recruit from the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: AP Second Team All-SEC

— 29 career starts at right tackle

— Son of Cameroonian immigrants

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Senior Bowl but was unable to participate in practice due to an illness

GRADE: 8.2 (Year 1 Starter - 1st Round)

OVERALL RANK: 10

POSITION RANK: OT1

PRO COMPARISON: Duane Brown

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

The New York Jets selected LSU TE Mason Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Mason Taylor has a combination of NFL pedigree, fluidity, and football IQ to succeed on Sundays.

Taylor is a fluid mover and route runner. He wastes little movement, changing directions and breaking away from his defender. His route tempo has a veteran, savvy feel. Based on the route concept, Taylor doesn't foreshadow where he is designed to go. Instead, he uses club and swipe maneuvers to knock down the defender's hands to avoid being rerouted mid-stem.

Taylor is a grass-finder against coverages. He has a good feel for the game and space and works through traffic to reach his landmarks on time for his quarterback. He does a good job in the shallow areas of the field off-play, where he can quickly catch the ball in the flats and turn upfield as a runner. Taylor has outstanding hands, which pair well with his ability to track the ball in flight. He makes difficult catches look routine.

Run blocking is an area of improvement for Taylor heading into the NFL. He doesn't display the proper play strength or physicality at the point of attack in the run game. He will be seen driven back or quickly shredded by active and determined defenders. Taylor's lack of explosiveness could play a factor when facing coverage versatile safeties at the next level. He excels with tempo and short-area quickness to create space between him and the defender. When aligned outside, it can limit his effectiveness in attacking vertically against defensive backs.

Overall, Mason Taylor projects as a top-two tight end on the offensive depth chart. He is a good and reliable pass catcher. Taylor can defeat man but excels against zone coverages where his instincts are essential. He can be an adequate starting tight end if given the opportunity!

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 250

40-YARD DASH: 4.65

3-CONE: 7.06

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: N/A

HAND: 9⅞"

ARM: 32⅞"

WINGSPAN: 78¼"

POSITIVES

— Chain-moving receiving option, converted 68 percent of his receptions for 1st downs.

— Fluid and smooth-moving route runner and separator.

— Outstandingly reliable hands, only one drop in 2024.

— Grass-finder against zone coverage; exploits weaknesses in defense.

NEGATIVES

— High-pad level and exposed chest limit effectiveness as a run blocker.

— Can improve his play strength at the point of attack.

— Never utilized as a high-priority receiving option for LSU's offense.

NOTES

— Son of Hall of Fame DE Jason Taylor

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Third-Team All-SEC

— 2022: Freshman All-SEC

GRADE: 7.8 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 37

POSITION RANK: TE3

PRO COMPARISON: Tucker Kraft

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The New York Jets selected Alabama S Malachi Moore with the No. 130 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Malachi Moore is a versatile safety prospect from Alabama known for his ball-hawking abilities and range as a deep safety. Standing at 6', 198 pounds, Moore combines his athleticism with sharp instincts, making him a valuable asset in both deep coverage and man-to-man situations. His experience in Alabama's elite defense, along with his ability to contribute in various roles, positions him as a potential early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Moore excels in coverage, particularly as a deep safety where his range and ball skills are on full display. He is a true ball hawk, showing the ability to drive on and attack the ball in the air. In zone coverage, Moore plays with excellent instincts, consistently aware of the threats in his area and positions himself to make plays on the ball. His versatility allows him to drop down and cover slot receivers in man coverage, where he demonstrates good leverage and the change of direction needed to stay with most receivers. His ability to mirror routes and make secure plays on the ball in the open field adds to his value as a versatile defensive back.

While Moore is reliable in coverage, his effectiveness in run support is more limited. He lacks the ideal physicality required to consistently play in the box, often struggling to engage and disengage from blockers due to insufficient hand usage. Moore is more of a wrap tackler than a heavy hitter, and at times resorts to ankle-biting tackles, which can lead to missed opportunities against stronger or more elusive ball carriers. Despite these limitations, Moore is a secure tackler in the open field, taking good angles and ensuring that ball carriers are brought down with minimal extra yardage.

Malachi Moore projects as a second-round pick with the potential to become an impact player in an NFL secondary. His strengths in deep coverage and man-to-man versatility make him a valuable asset, particularly in schemes emphasizing zone coverage or requiring safeties to cover slot receivers. While he may need to develop more physicality and improve his ability to disengage from blockers, Moore's ball skills and instincts give him a solid foundation upon which to build. With further development, Moore could emerge as a reliable starter, particularly in a free safety role or as a slot defender in sub-packages.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'

WEIGHT: 198

POSITIVES

— Ballhawk with very good range as a deep safety. Drives and attacks the ball in the air. Displays very good instincts and awareness of his threats in zone coverage.

— Has the versatility to play deep, as well as drop down and play man coverage over the slot receiver. Does a very good job of keeping his leverage, as well as showing the change of direction necessary to stick with most receivers.

— Secure tackler in the open field. Takes good angles to the ball and wraps up ball-carriers, getting them to the ground with little extra yardage.

NEGATIVES

— Lacks ideal physicality when playing in the box. He doesn't show hand usage to shock, control, or to be able to quickly disengage from blockers.

— Not a big banger. More of a wrap tackler who will ankle bite at times.

NOTES

— Born Sept. 13, 2001

— 4-Star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2020 CFB National Champion

— 2020 2nd Team All-SEC

— Suffered head injury in Week 3 of 2024 season, but returned to lineup in Alabama's next game

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup / Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 81

POSITION RANK: S7

PRO COMPARISON: Devin McCourty

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

The New York Jets selected Miami LB Francisco Mauigoa with the No. 162 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Francisco Mauigoa projects as a late-round pick, but he has a chance to make a 53-man roster in Year 1. He's good enough in both phases of the game to earn a backup linebacker spot and has the linear speed to contribute on special teams.

However, he will need to clean up his tackling form, which may have been caused by the shoulder injury last season.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 233

HAND: 10¼”

ARM: 31¾”

WINGSPAN: 77⅜”

40-YARD DASH: 4.60

3-CONE: 7.15

SHUTTLE: 4.24

VERTICAL: 35"

BROAD: 10'1"

POSITIVES

— Solid size for a modern NFL linebacker and tested well at the NFL combine, earning a 9.14 RAS.

— Decent instincts against the run and has good speed when coming downhill to shoot gaps and get unblocked tackles. Has some pop behind his pads when crashing downhill, too.

— Quick to get his hands up when taking on blocks and has the upper-body strength to get extension against offensive linemen.

— Uses his hands well in coverage to force reroutes.

— Plays the hands well at the catch point to breakup passes.

NEGATIVES

— Slow run-pass transitions against play action. Will leave the middle of the field open.

— Stiff hips and bad change-of-direction skills. Will get beat by running backs and tight ends who can run sharp routes.

— Subpar route recognition. Often late to pick up running backs out of the backfield and doesn't anticipate pick routes.

— Takes poor angles in pursuit, especially against outside runs.

— Struggles to break down and lunges when trying to make open-field tackles, leading to misses.

NOTES

— Born March 17, 2003

— 3-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Played at Washington State in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Miami in 2023

— Injuries: 2024 (Torn shoulder labrum, offseason surgery)

— 2023 Second-Team All-ACC, Academic Team All-ACC

— 2024 Second-Team All-ACC, Academic Team All-ACC

— Brother, Fredrick, played at Washington State; brother, Francis, currently plays at Miami

GRADE: 5.5 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 304

POSITION RANK: LB20

PRO COMPARISON: Baylon Spector

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

Aaron Rodgers isn't thrilled with how his time on the New York Jets ended.

The veteran quarterback appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and said he didn't feel respected enough when meeting with new head coach Aaron Glenn and others.

"I felt there wasn't an ample amount of respect in that meeting," he said (h/t Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic). "I guess I shouldn't have been surprised based on some things I saw over two years."

Rosenblatt noted Rodgers "is not a fan of Aaron Glenn" and did not like how his meeting unfolded:

Aaron Rodgers on his meeting with the Jets:

“Listen, that was an interesting two years to say the least. I figured that when I flew across country to my dime there would be a conversation. The confusing thing to me is I went out there, I meet with the coach, we start talking ……

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) April 17, 2025

To say Rodgers' two seasons with the Jets didn't go as planned would be quite the understatement.

He arrived ahead of the 2023 season as one of the best quarterbacks of all time and someone who was expected to elevate the ceiling of the franchise into Super Bowl contention. However, he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in his first game with the team and then underperformed throughout the 2024 campaign.

New York went 5-12 with Rodgers under center last year, and he finished 28th in the league in QBR (48.0), per Pro Football Reference. He was far from the peak version of himself that was so dominant on the Green Bay Packers and now has an uncertain future in the NFL.

That the Jets would want to move on from that, especially with a new coach arriving for the 2025 season, is anything but a surprise.

Yet it is clear Rodgers would have liked more respect in how he was informed he wouldn't be coming back to the Jets.

The biggest question now is whether he will play in 2025 and whether it will be for the Pittsburgh Steelers or someone else. He told McAfee that "retirement still could be a possibility" and the overall decision-making process "ain't about the money" (h/t Henry McKenna of Fox Sports).

As for the Steelers, he doesn't seem to be in any hurry even if he has consistently been connected to the AFC North team during the offseason:

Aaron Rodgers on if there's a deadline for his Steelers decision: "This entire time, I haven't felt like I owed anyone anything at any time. ... If you need to move on, by all means." pic.twitter.com/iMvxYI0LIS

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) April 17, 2025

If Aaron Rodgers comes back, will it be with the #Steelers? "I am trying to be open to everything. ... I'm not holding anyone hostage. I just want to say that." pic.twitter.com/93VWWA527I

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) April 17, 2025

This comes after Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports reported Wednesday the future Hall of Famer was more likely to retire than sign with a team he didn't believe was a Super Bowl contender.

"It's extremely clear Rodgers is not going to play just for the sake of playing," Kinkhabwala added.

That seemed to be the case Thursday as well, which means the NFL world will continue waiting.

The New York Jets are "keeping close tabs on" Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart leading up to the 2025 NFL draft, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Per Cimini, the Jets previously met with Stewart at his pro day and have "stayed" in touch.

New York owns the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft.

Stewart is an intriguing prospect, as he put together a stellar performance at the scouting combine in Indianapolis despite his relatively low sack total with the Aggies.

He recorded just 1.5 sacks in 12 games during his 2024 campaign and amassed 4.5 sacks in 37 games during his college career.

Still, Stewart's 40-yard dash time of 4.59 seconds ranked No. 3 among all defensive ends at the combine. He also posted an impressive 10'11" broad jump and 40" vertical leap.

Shemar Stewart finishing strong on his second attempt 😤 @ShemarStewart14

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SdMvdlbOs7

— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025

Several members of the Jets' coaching staff also have ties to Texas A&M. Head coach Aaron Glenn played for the school during his college days, while defensive line coach Eric Washington served as a graduate assistant for the Aggies in 1997.

Stewart was ranked as the No. 3 edge-rusher and No. 19 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class on the latest big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

If the Jets are looking to add another key defensive piece alongside Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, Stewart appears to be an option.

It doesn't seem like the New York Jets will take a quarterback with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft, but that reportedly won't stop them from targeting the position in the latter rounds.

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Sunday he believes "chances are" the AFC East team will select a signal-caller during Day 3 of the draft.

Cimini mentioned Jaxson Dart as a possibility in the second round at No. 42 but concluded "it's not likely" the Ole Miss playmaker will slip that far. That could mean New York taking someone like Will Howard, Jalen Milroe, Quinn Ewers, Tyler Shough, Kyle McCord or Dillon Gabriel for depth purposes later in the draft.

It would certainly be notable if the Jets selected a quarterback early in the draft after they just signed Justin Fields this offseason. 

While Fields has never fully lived up to his potential since the Chicago Bears picked him in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, all indications are New York is giving him a chance to prove himself as a starter after the Pittsburgh Steelers removed him from the lineup following a 4-2 start in 2024.

"They've already anointed him QB1, giving the impression they believe in his ability to resurrect his career," Cimini wrote.

Fields told reporters Wednesday, "I don't really like to answer rhetorical questions, but like I said, I'm willing to teach," when asked about the possibility of the Jets picking a quarterback in the draft. "However, I'm not really interested in, you know, rhetorical questions."

There has been some buzz, as NFL draft expert Todd McShay suggested on his podcast (28-minute mark) there is "some love" between Dart and the Jets. 

However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on the same day it was "hard to imagine" New York using that No. 7 pick on a quarterback with Fields set to be the starter.

That follows what B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected in its most recent mock draft with Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou going to the Big Apple in the top 10.

In need of more pass-catching help around Garrett Wilson, the New York Jets are keeping a close eye on Tyler Warren leading up to the 2025 NFL draft.

Per ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets have "done extensive homework" on Penn State's standout tight end as they consider their options with the No. 7 overall pick.

New York was able to keep Allen Lazard on a reworked contract that was agreed to on Thursday, but the offense lost a lot of its pass-catching production from last season after releasing Davante Adams and letting Tyler Conklin depart in free agency.

Adams and Conklin combined for 118 receptions, 1,303 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024.

Conklin's departure is the most pertinent loss as it relates to the Jets' interest in Warren. Conklin, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in March, has been their starting tight end for the past three seasons.

Jeremy Ruckert is currently penciled in as the starter at tight end. The 24-year-old has 35 receptions in his first three NFL seasons.

Warren has been regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 class throughout the entire pre-draft process. He's ranked as the No. 15 overall player by B/R's NFL scouting department.

In Dame Parson's scouting report for B/R, Warren received particularly high marks because he can play "from multiple alignments and presents a weapon to design creative plays around."

The biggest area in need of improvement for Warren is as a run-blocker, but Parson noted he should have no problem eventually becoming the "top offensive option" for a team in the NFL.

Of the players currently on the Jets' roster, Lazard had the second-most receiving yards on the team last season. There was a huge gap between his 530 yards and Wilson's team-leading 1,104 yards.

A player like Warren would also serve as a good safety net for the Jets if they are going to stick with Justin Fields as their starting quarterback all season, or if they wanted to draft a quarterback on day two who might be able to start games at some point in 2025.

Breece Hall is one of the top playmakers on the New York Jets, but his future with the team is under the spotlight entering the final year of his current contract.

And ESPN's Rich Cimini speculated Sunday that New York could look to put the running back on the trade block.

"Hall is among a handful of players up for a contract extension, most notably cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson—both drafted the same year as Hall," Cimini wrote. "It will be difficult to keep them all long term.

"Hall is a gifted player who would attract interest if dangled in trade talks. Perhaps the Jets would consider moving him if Boise State star Ashton Jeanty is available with the seventh pick in the April 24 draft."

Hall seemed to react to such speculation:

pic.twitter.com/ZztfBiLIU1

— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) April 6, 2025

Wilson (wide receiver) and Gardner (cornerback) both play positions that are largely more valued at the NFL level than running back. That could make them priorities if the Jets end up keeping only two of the three.

Cimini also highlighted comments from new head coach Aaron Glenn suggesting there will be a backfield-by-committee approach with Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis as something that will "fuel" trade discussions.

"I think, mentally, [Hall] is in a good place, but I would say that we have three running backs on this team that we're going to utilize as much as possible," Glenn said.

RODGERS TO BREECE HALL. @nyjets take the lead!

📺: #NYJvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9YO7lGki4Y

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

There is no doubting Hall's ability to impact the offense after he posted 1,585 yards from scrimmage in 2023 and 1,359 yards from scrimmage in 2024. However, efficiency has been something of a question mark.

The Iowa State product averaged 5.8 yards per carry as a rookie in 2022 but just 4.5 yards per carry in his second season and 4.2 yards per carry in his third. That coincided with him having 80 carries in his first year compared to a combined 432 in his second and third seasons.

Resetting the running back position by trading Hall and drafting a dynamic playmaker like Jeanty would help the Jets address any of those efficiency concerns. 

Yet working Hall into a backfield-by-committee approach may also help the AFC East team do just that while maintaining one of the most important players on the offense and avoiding putting too much on the plate of a rookie running back.