Jets 2021 offseason tracker: 2021 draft class, with addition of Zach Wilson, plus free agents, and more

Robert Saleh's first draft in the Big Apple was an eventful one

By Bryan DeArdo

May 3, 2021 at 9:25 am ET • 3 min read

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A decade has come and gone since the New York Jets last made the playoffs. Since Rex Ryan's consecutive AFC title game appearances, Gang Green has had just one winning season. In a microcosm of what the last decade has been for the Jets, that season (2015) ended in heartbreak after the Jets lost in Buffalo in Week 17, knocking them out of postseason contention.

The bottom fell out on the Jets in 2020. After a promising finish to the 2019 season, the Jets lost their first 13 games before finishing with a 2-14 record. While injuries played a role in the Jets' struggles, inner turmoil forced the team to part with talented safety Jamal Adams. The Jets also released Le'Veon Bell and traded away respected veteran Steve McLendon during the season. New York also traded quarterback Sam Darnold to the Panthers, as the Jets are expected to select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick.

Despite the recent losing, there is hope in the form of Robert Saleh, who comes to New York after a highly successful run as the 49ers' defensive coordinator. And while he is not promising a quick turnaround, Saleh is committed to the cause of trying to bring the Jets their first championship in over 50 years.

"To our fans, we embrace your passion, we embrace your expectations. We cannot wait to go on this journey with you," Saleh said during his introductory press conference. "Please understand, we understand that we have a lot of work to do. But make no mistake that our goal is to win championships. And so again, I cannot wait to get through this journey with all of y'all. It's going to be an exciting time, and I promise that you're going to love what y'all see."

This is your one-stop destination for everything involving the Jets' 2021 offseason. Over the next several months, we'll update this story with all prevalent information regarding Gang Green. Those updates will include schedule announcements, player transactions, draft news, and other relevant information.

Key upcoming dates

May 12: Release of 17-game regular-season schedule

Unrestricted in-house free agents

DE Henry Anderson -- signed by the Patriots
WR Breshad Perriman -- signed by the Lions
CB Brian Poole
SS Bradley McDougald
OLB Jordan Jenkins -- signed by the Texans
ILB Neville Hewitt
ILB Patrick Onwuasor
FS Marcus Maye
QB Joe Flacco -- signed by the Eagles
SS Matthias Farley -- signed by the Titans
RB Frank Gore
G Pat Elflein -- signed by the Panthers
TE Daniel Brown -- re-signed with Jets
ILB Bryce Hager
TE Ross Travis
CB Arthur Maulet
OLB Tarell Basham -- signed with the Cowboys
DT Trevon Coley

The Jets are expected to have nearly $75 million in salary cap space, one of the highest totals in the NFL. While they will likely use some of that money on outside free agents, Jets general manager Joe Douglas recently said that the team has had conversations with Marcus Maye's representatives about signing him to a long-term contract.

Unrestricted free agents signings from other teams

C Corey Levin

DE Vinny Curry

LB Del'Shawn Phillips

DT Sheldon Rankins

DB Lamarcus Joyner

TE Tyler Kroft

WR Keelan Cole

C Dan Feeney

WR Corey Davis

LB Jarrad Davis

DB Justin Hardee

DE Carl Lawson

2021 NFL Draft picks

As expected, the Jets used the No. 2 overall pick to select former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. They then traded up nine spots to acquire former USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. At the start of the second round, the Jets gave Wilson a new weapon in the form of former Ole Miss wideout Elijah Moore. They then gave Wilson a new running back in North Carolina's Michael Carter.

Here's a look at all of New York's upcoming selections at the 2021 NFL Draft: