As the Jets commence their search for their next general manager, we’ll be taking the chance over these next few weeks to assess what the future at One Jets Drive could look like under new stewardship. Before we look ahead though, it’s always helpful to take a look back too, at some of the moves that have defined the strengths of the current roster.

At times like this it’s easy to just remember the bad times and the current struggles. Over Joe Douglas’s tenure as GM however, the Jets made some key additions both through the draft and free agency that has set them up with exciting talent for years to come.

Let’s take a look at three of the best roster-building moves in the past five years. 

The 2022 Draft Class

If there is going to be a lasting legacy of positivity from the six years of Joe Douglas’ tenure, it’s going to be the 2022 draft class.

Armed with two first round picks, the Jets selected cornerback Sauce Gardner 4th overall, and wide receiver Garrett Wilson 10th overall. 

Gardner ended up winning the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award while being named First-team All-Pro in both 2022 and 2023. Garrett Wilson was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2022 and has gone on to break numerous Jets records. He’s also well on his way to the third consecutive season of 1000+ receiving yards to start his career. 

Had that been it, it would have been a successful draft class. But there’s so much more. 

The Jets aggressively moved back into the first round to take Jermaine Johnson, who was named to his first Pro-Bowl in 2023 and has become an explosive and reliable 3-down defensive end. 

They then moved up again to be in position to draft Breece Hall, who already has over 2000 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns despite missing significant time through a serious injury. 

He then found contributions throughout the draft from Jeremy Ruckert to Max Mitchell, Micheal Clemons and Tony Adams as a UDFA who turned into a starting safety. 

You can’t underestimate how rare it is to find so many stars and contributors in one class. 

Although not 2022 draft related, you also have to consider some of the other draft wins throughout his tenure, which includes late-round steals in Jamien Sherwood and Michael Carter II and UDFA signings like Bryce Huff who turned into one of the best pass rushers in football. 

Quincy Williams 

Quincy Williams has quickly become one of the best linebackers in football, with his electric speed and ferocious hitting, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Jets had spent considerable draft capital on acquiring Quinnen’s brother. 

In fact, it was a smart waiver wire pickup. The Jacksonville Jaguars waived Williams after two injury riddled seasons in Florida, despite spending a third round pick on him in 2019. The lack of patience shown by Jacksonville allowed the Jets to step in. 

Williams was named a First Team All-Pro last season, having racked up 139 tackles including 15 for a loss. Following that breakout performance the Jets signed Williams to what was considered a very good deal for the team, turning the once-disregarded linebacker into a cornerstone of the defense for the years to come. 

Picking up production from the waiver wire became a staple of Joe Douglas’s time here, just think of John Franklin-Myers for another example. 

Signing D.J. Reed

So we’ve seen key acquisitions through the draft and we’ve seen some smart additions via the waiver wire, so here is an example of a free agency signing. Those didn’t always go to plan, but it certainly paid off here.

D.J. Reed has been one of the best Jets free agency signings in recent memory. A 5th round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Reed found himself looking for a new team just two years later and wound up sticking to the west coast with Seattle. 

Following a successful spell with the Seahawks, Douglas signed Reed to a 3-year deal in 2022 and since then he’s become one of the premier cornerbacks in football. 

Over three years with the Jets, Reed has broken up 23 passes while allowing less than 60% of passes to be completed into his coverage. 

His partnership with Sauce Gardner has made the Jets one of the hardest teams to throw on over the last three years, despite their recent struggles.