Roster Overview: Safeties

Edition #1206: Safety has been a big bugbear of mine and has been with this team for years. Have they finally solved the puzzle?

Good Morning ☕

Turn the clock back to 2012, the Jets were coming off an 8-8 season with a defense that allowed 355 yards per game (26th) which included over 216 passing yards per game, despite having two of the best corners in football in Revis and Cromartie. Heading into that 2012 season the Jets had LaRon Landry on the last year of his deal and not a lot else at safety, guys like Yeremiah Bell, Eric Smith and Tracy Wilson. So there was an obvious need.

A younger, slimmer me with a much better hairline was banging the table for the Jets to take a Notre Dame safety by the name of Harrison Smith. The Jets instead drafted Quinton Coples who lasted 4 years in the league, and Smith went to the Vikings where he played for 14 years being named both an All-Pro and a 6x Pro Bowler. Over 200 games played, a leader, a captain and apparently an all-around great guy.

But we all have those stories of players we wanted the Jets to draft who went on to find success elsewhere. But from that moment I’ve always had a problem with the way the Jets have or have not prioritised the position.

So how are we shaping up ahead of the new season?

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Safeties 🟢⚪🗽

Entering the 2026 season, the safety position for the Jets is an intriguing one.

The position group is headlined by a former 3x All Pro that they snatched away from one of their biggest rivals. The Dolphins obviously thought that Minkah Fitzpatrick was done as an impact player in the NFL, it’s the only reason you accept a trade offer from a divisional rival.

The Jets obviously doubt that assessment having handed Fitzpatrick a new 3-year deal that pays him as a top 15 safety in the league. Just a couple of years ago he was regarded as one of the best safeties in football full-stop. After recording 17 interceptions over a four year period between 2019-2022, Fitzpatrick has managed just two over the last three years. But his yards per reception allowed dropped below 10 for the first time in his career, and he still had 4 pass break-ups which was the most he had since 2019.

The Jets analytical department will be betting on a rebound season for Minkah, where he lines up will be interesting.

"I like moving around," Fitzpatrick said. "I like being able to give the quarterback different looks. I think when you just sit in a high post all game, they know you're back there and they could dial stuff up for you, but they could also avoid you. So, I like being a chess piece."

Move around is certainly something he’s used to. Over the course of his career he’s played over 1,000 snaps at three different positions. Box safety (1,193), free safety (4.691) and slot corner (1,381). But three of his most productive seasons (2019, 2020 and 2022) were when he played the majority of his snaps from free safety, being a centre field roamer who can close quickly and make plays on the ball. I’m sure he will be moved around with the Jets, but last season in Miami he spent more time at slot than he did as a free safety, and that’s not happening in 2026 with the Jets.

So if we can presume that Minkah will play as the free safety for the majority of the 2026 season, the big question is who will partner him.

There are some options if you look up and down the Jets roster: