New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has made it abundantly clear that he won’t be a defensive-minded leader. As he begins his first season at the helm, he wants to be in control of both sides of the ball.
Will that belief change once the 2025 NFL draft commences? One of the most recent reports suggests the Jets are targeting defense at No. 7.
New York has been seen as a favorite to take an offensive player with the seventh overall pick on Thursday. The prevailing theory is that the Jets would take either the best tackle or tight end available.
Could Glenn’s defensive background change things, though?
Jets’ changing mindset?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report on Monday that the Jets could look to draft Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron instead of focusing their efforts on the offensive side of the ball.
The report was shocking.
Remember, the organization signed Brandon Stephens to a three-year deal worth $36 million during the offseason. Barron is a plug-and-play starter, so either he or Stephens would be moved to safety.
The fact that Stephens began his career at safety could lead to a position change there.
As much as that report was shocking, though, there’s reason to suspect it was nothing more than a smokescreen. Glenn has made it clear that he wants to be a coach for both sides of the ball, not just focus on the defensive side.
“If you’re going to hire me, you’re going to hire a coach, not a defensive coach,” Glenn said at the beginning of the process. “I’m going to talk to the offense just as much as I’m going to talk to the defense.”
New York has more pressing needs along the offensive side of the ball. While an edge rusher or defensive tackle could certainly be the target (and fill a major need), the organization needs a tight end or a right tackle.
Either is expected to be the pick at this point.
The Jets still have 48 hours to decide who they want to be their pick with the seventh overall selection. At the very least, though, there should be some positive thoughts that even though there’s a smokescreen centering around the defense, Glenn’s focus could very well entice other teams to get a deal done more than anything else.
Sometimes, driving up the asking price on a trade is the best way to operate on draft night.
