Catching up with ex-Jets in the AFC
Now that the season is basically over, it’s time to update you on former New York Jets players and how they’ve been faring with their current teams. We looked at offensive players from AFC teams on Monday and today we move on to look at defensive players from the AFC. We’ll move on to review NFC players and special teamers over the next week or so.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Cornerback Brandon Codrington was obviously acquired for his return abilities but he did see some action on defense too. He ended up with nine tackles and a pass defensed in 69 defensive snaps.
Defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson was picked up after he was cut by the Browns. He had eight tackles and a sack in seven games in a reserve role.
Defensive back Elijah Campbell was on the roster all year but is now a free agent. He played in every game, starting one, and made six tackles in 76 defensive snaps.
Safety Marcus Maye started three games earlier in the season but his role reduced and he was released late in the season. He ended up with 30 tackles and a pass defensed in 11 games.
Also: Defensive end Wyatt Ray was released from injured reserve.
New England was one of three AFC teams that had no former Jets players on defense this season.
Cleveland Browns:
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris played an important role for the Browns, as he started 13 games and had 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. He remains under contract.
Another defensive tackle, Quinton Jefferson, didn’t have such a big role as he was released after recording just six tackles and a sack in five games.
Edge Elerson Smith spent some time on the main roster but ended up on the practice squad and signed a futures deal after the season. He recorded two tackles in two games.
Defensive lineman Mike Dwumfour ended up on the main roster and is a pending exclusive rights free agent. He played one game but only saw action on five defensive snaps.
Also: Cornerback Justin Hardee was released from the practice squad and safety Trey Dean was added to the practice squad late in the year and signed a futures deal after the season. Neither saw action for the Browns in 2024.
The Steelers didn’t retain any defensive ex-Jets during the season but did sign defensive tackle Domenique Davis to a futures deal after the season.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins got off to a good start as he recorded 18 tackles and a sack in seven starts. However, he missed the rest of the year after first injuring his hamstring and then suffering an illness. He remains under contract for 2025.
Safety and “Mr. Irrelevant” Jaylen Key was a late-season practice squad addition and did not play. However, he did sign a futures deal after the season.
Also: Before ending up with the Steelers, Davis was on the Bengals’ practice squad but did not play.
Defensive back Art Maulet had five tackles in his only three games after beginning the year on the injured list and then ended up back there due to calf and knee issues.
Safety Jamal Adams only lasted three games with the Titans before being released. He started one of those games but had just four tackles.
Cornerback Justin Hardee was picked up in the middle of the season and played nine games. However, he didn’t see any action on defense.
The Colts are another team that didn’t have any defensive ex-Jets on their team this season.
The Texans had three defensive contributors in 2024 who were ex-Jets. However, all three are now free agents.
Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi started 11 games and recorded 24 tackles and a sack. He only played in one of the last seven games due to injury but did start both postseason games, in which he had three tackles including one for a loss.
Linebackers Neville Hewitt and Del’Shawn Phillips both played in every game as they started off in special teams roles. However, Hewitt was called into action on defense at times due to injury. He started four games and was productive with 59 tackles, an interception, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Phillips only played 27 defensive snaps but had five tackles.
The Jaguars are the final AFC team that didn’t have any ex-Jets on defense this year.
The Broncos trade for John Franklin-Myers worked out well for Denver as he set career-highs in tackles (40), sacks (seven), quarterback hits (18) and tackles for loss (eight).
Linebacker Kwon Alexander was also briefly with the team as he was elevated from the practice squad three times, including twice as a starter. He has eight tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery before ending up with Detroit.
The Raiders added linebacker Brandon Smith to their practice squad after he got hurt with the Jets and released. Smith did not play for the Raiders but signed a futures deal after the season.
Defensive tackle Mike Pennel has continued to play an important role for the Chiefs, starting seven games for them. He had a career-high three sacks this season, along with 25 tackles and a forced fumble. He also had five tackles in the first two playoff games, one of which he started, and will play in his fourth consecutive Super Bowl on Sunday.
Finally, the Chargers claimed safety Marcus Maye at the end of the season and he played in four games with them, starting one. He was credited with 12 tackles and two pass breakups.
Check back here next week when we’ll be covering ex-Jets special teamers and how they’ve performed on their current teams.