Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets

The NFL offseason is defined by critical deadlines—from the start of free agency to the NFL Draft—and for the New York Jets, thorough candidate assessments before these milestones are make-or-break for building a roster that can compete in 2025. Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets encompasses a multi-layered process: scouting NFL Draft prospects, evaluating free-agent targets, and even assessing potential coaching staff additions to fill gaps. This rigorous evaluation, led by general manager Joe Douglas and his team, combines film study, in-person workouts, and character assessments to ensure every candidate aligns with the Jets’ scheme, culture, and long-term goals. For a team coming off a challenging season, these assessments aren’t just about adding talent—they’re about making strategic bets that will turn promise into playoff success.

Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets begin with the NFL Draft, where the Jets hold a late first-round pick (projected No. 24 overall) and multiple Day 2 selections. Douglas and his scouting staff have spent months evaluating prospects, with a focus on addressing the team’s top needs: offensive line depth, edge rushing, and secondary depth. For offensive line prospects, the Jets’ assessment criteria go beyond size and strength—they prioritize “football IQ” (ability to read defenses and adjust blocking assignments) and durability (injury history in college). One top target in their assessments is Oregon offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, who the Jets brought in for a top-30 visit. Film analysis highlights Fautanu’s versatility (he can play tackle and guard) and quick feet—traits that align with the Jets’ zone-blocking scheme. “Our draft assessments are about fit first,” Douglas said in a recent interview. “We don’t just take the highest-ranked prospect—we take the prospect who fits our scheme, our culture, and can contribute early. That’s how you build sustained success.”

Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets also extend to free agency, where the team has approximately $45 million in salary-cap space to spend before the March 13 deadline (when free agency officially begins). The Jets’ front office is evaluating free-agent edge rushers and interior defensive linemen to bolster a pass rush that ranked 26th in sacks last season. One key candidate in their assessments is former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who recorded 9.5 sacks in 2024. The Jets’ evaluation includes not just Clowney’s on-field production, but his fit in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s scheme (which relies on edge rushers who can set the edge and drop into coverage) and his locker room presence (interviews with former teammates and coaches confirm he’s a positive influence). The Jets have also hosted Clowney for a visit, where he met with Ulbrich to discuss pass-rushing techniques and team goals. “Free-agent assessments are more than just stats,” said Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan. “We need to know if a player will buy into our culture, work with our coaches, and stay healthy. Clowney checks those boxes, which is why he’s a top target.”

Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets include evaluations of potential coaching staff additions, as the team looks to fill a vacancy at wide receivers coach following the departure of Miles Austin. The Jets’ assessment process for coaches involves interviewing candidates with experience developing young receivers—critical, as the team has a core of young pass-catchers including Garrett Wilson and rookie Xavier Gipson. One leading candidate is former Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers coach Greg Lewis, who helped develop Tyreek Hill and Kadarius Toney. The Jets’ assessment of Lewis includes reviewing his work with young receivers (film of Toney’s development in Kansas City is a key focus) and interviewing him about his coaching philosophy (he emphasizes route precision and mental preparation). For the New York Jets, coaching assessments are just as vital as player evaluations—they ensure the team’s talent is maximized through effective teaching. “A great receiver needs a great coach to reach his potential,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “Our assessment of Greg Lewis shows he has a track record of developing young players, which is exactly what we need for our wideouts room.”

Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets also involve “character checks”—a critical step in evaluating all candidates, whether draft prospects, free agents, or coaches. For draft prospects, this includes reviewing academic records, speaking with college coaches about work ethic, and conducting background checks to ensure off-field maturity. For example, the Jets’ assessment of Texas safety Jalen Catalon (a potential Day 2 pick) included a call with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who praised Catalon’s leadership and reliability (“He’s the first one in the building every day and the last one to leave”). For free agents like Clowney, character checks involve speaking with former Ravens coaches about his work ethic during practices and his willingness to mentor young players. For the New York Jets, character assessments are non-negotiable—they ensure every candidate aligns with the team’s culture of accountability and hard work. “Talent wins games, but character wins championships,” Douglas said. “We won’t sacrifice character for talent—we need both. That’s a non-negotiable part of our assessment process.”

Candidate Assessments Before Deadline for the New York Jets wrap up with a final “cross-check” meeting, where Douglas, Saleh, and the entire front office review all candidates to ensure alignment across the organization. This meeting, held one week before the free agency deadline, involves ranking draft prospects, finalizing free-agent offers, and signing off on coaching hires. For example, the Jets will compare their top draft targets (like Fautanu and Catalon) to their free-agent targets (like Clowney) to ensure they’re not overinvesting in one position and neglecting others. They’ll also review the wide receivers coach candidates (including Lewis) to confirm they have the support of Wilson and other players. For the New York Jets, this final assessment meeting is the last step in a months-long process—it ensures no detail is overlooked and every decision is in the team’s best interest. “The deadline forces us to be decisive, but we won’t rush,” Douglas said. “Our final assessment meeting ensures we’re making smart, strategic choices that will help us win in 2025 and beyond.” As the Jets approach the offseason deadlines, these candidate assessments will shape a roster that’s not just talented, but cohesive—laying the groundwork for a return to playoff contention.