Three former pro players who could improve the New York Jets safety room

This may not be a position of concern for the New York Jets, but there is certainly room for improvement.

Veteran safety Jordan Whitehead and undrafted free safety Tony Adams were the Jets’ starters in 2023.

Whitehead, who made 34 consecutive starts during his two-year tenure in New York, left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. After a rocky first year as a starter, Adams is back in the fold and will likely be paired with former Baltimore Ravens sixth-round pick Chuck Clark, who is coming off a torn ACL that sidelined him on the sidelines for the entire 2023 season.

Although Adams and Clark may prove to be a suitable tandem, it will not be possible to confuse them with the Legion of Boom.

Ashtyn Davis, who re-signed with the Jets this offseason, is one to watch during training camp. A starting place is not excluded for the former third round selection.

Unsurprisingly, none of their safeties were among the latest Pro Football Focus position rankings that named a Top 32 pick.

Fortunately for New York, there are several potential upgrades remaining on the free agent market, which has not been kind to aging safeties this year. For example, former All-Pro Jordan Poyer signed a one-year deal worth $2 million with the Miami Dolphins after being released by the Buffalo Bills.

While they will all likely cost just over $2 million, here are three options the Jets can explore before training camp begins.

Three safety features available for jets

Justin Simmons
Simmons, 30, is arguably the biggest name yet to be signed at the position. Having played his entire career with the Denver Broncos, the 2016 third-round pick has thrown 30 interceptions in 118 career appearances (108 starts).

He earned Pro Bowl nominations in 2020 and 2023 and was playing on a contract worth more than $15 million per year.

Eddie Jackson
Jackson’s resume deserves more attention than it has received since his release by the Chicago Bears. The 2017 fourth-round pick made exactly 100 career starts for his former team, totaling 15 interceptions and forcing 10 fumbles.

The 30-year-old, who has experience at both safety positions, averages 65.5 tackles per season. Foot injuries have cost Jackson 10 games over the past two years, but the two-time Pro Bowl selection has been productive when healthy.

Whenre Diggs
The Seattle Seahawks released Diggs, a 2015 sixth-round pick, in March after a tenure that includes 67 consecutive starts since 2020. He has averaged 76 tackles per season over the past four years.

Jets starting cornerback DJ Reed was quick to support the three-time Pro Bowler on social media earlier this offseason. The two competed against each other in the Seahawks defensive backfield in 2020 and 2021.