Now that the bye week is here, it’s time to update you on former Jets players and how they’ve been faring with their current teams. We are covering this in three parts and will be looking at defense today having already covered the offense. We’ll move onto special teams within a few days.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Commanders:
Linebacker Frankie Luvu was a second team all-pro last year but so far his impact hasn’t been as significant,
as he has just two sacks and one pass breakup to go along with 43 tackles.
On the other hand, defensive end Jacob Martin has made a much bigger impact than expected with 3.5 sacks and a team-high nine quarterback hits. He has started six games and been credited with 20 tackles.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was a big addition during the offseason and he’s been disruptive although his stats are not that impressive with 17 tackles, three hits and three tackles for loss. He is yet to record a sack.
Kinlaw is joined on the defensive line by Jalyn Holmes, who began the season on the practice squad but has since been signed to the main roster. He has played in five games, starting one, and recorded 13 tackles.
Linebacker Nick Bellore is making the majority of his contributions on special teams as usual.
Giants:
The Giants added three ex-Jets on defense since final cuts; cornerback Korie Black and linebackers Zaire Barnes and Neville Hewitt with all three mostly contributing on special teams. Black is back with the team after the Jets had picked him up after final cuts, while Barnes remains on the practice squad.
They also just claimed Jarrick Bernard-Converse off waivers from the Browns.
Cowboys:
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas has been a useful reserve for the Cowboys. He has 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass defensed while exclusively playing inside once again.
Dallas also added cornerback Corey Ballentine to their practice squad and he has played in one game for them, recording one tackle.
Also: Defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was initially on the main roster but went on injured reserve before the season.
Eagles:
Cornerback Parry Nickerson, a 2018 Jets draft pick, was on the Eagles’ practice squad before being placed on the main roster, but he was just released again and re-signed to the practice squad after playing five games and recording two tackles.
The Eagles also traded for Michael Carter II earlier this week, of course.
Bears:
The Bears haven’t had any ex-Jets on their defense yet this season.
Packers:
Defensive end Deslin Alexandre and safety Jaylin Simpson were on the Packers’ practice squad but Alexandre has since been released.
Vikings:
Linebacker Blake Cashman has once again been affected by injuries this year as he has been limited to three starts. He had 18 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in those games.
Lions:
Cornerback DJ Reed got off to a good start with 16 tackles, four pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery in the first four games. However, he’s currently on injured reserve. One of his replacements was another ex-Jet, Art Maulet who has made an impact with eight tackles and an interception in two games.
Also: Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson was recently added to the practice squad but didn’t play yet.
Bucs:
Edge defender Haason Reddick got off to a good start but his first half production has been a little underwhelming considering the big salary Tampa Bay is paying him. In seven starts, he has 16 tackles, five quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. He’s currently bothered by an ankle issue.
Also: Cornerback Bryce Hall remains on the practice squad.
Falcons:
Atlanta hasn’t had any ex-Jets on their defense this season.
Saints:
Former all-pro linebacker Demario Davis and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd remain in starting roles for the Saints, with Davis having started every game and racked up 72 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. Shepherd has started six of eight games with 25 tackles, seven quarterback hits and a sack.
Panthers:
Claud Cherelus had a bigger role on defense last year but has played just 18 defensive snaps in seven games in 2025.
Also: Cornerback Shemar Bartholomew was on the practice squad but got released before the season.
49ers:
Defensive end Bryce Huff has been a good addition for the 49ers, having bounced back well from a down year with the Eagles. Huff has 19 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in seven games.
Safety Jason Pinnock has also played a significant role as he’s played eight games, starting five. He has had 20 tackles but no impact plays.
Also: Defensive lineman Bruce Hector was recently re-signed to the practice squad.
Rams:
The Rams were another team with no defensive ex-Jets on their roster at any point this season.
Seahawks:
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams had a monster second half in 2024 so it will be interesting to see if he can repeat that in 2025. So far, his production has been solid but unspectacular with 30 tackles, three sacks and 10 quarterback hits in seven games.
Linebacker Chazz Surratt started off on the practice squad but he’s played in seven games and is now on the main roster. He’s mostly just been on special teams though.
Cardinals:
The Cardinals are the final NFC team with no defensive ex-Jets on their roster at any point this season.
Bills:
Cornerback Brandon Codrington is obviously on the team for his return abilities but has played 10 defensive snaps.
Linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo is back on the practice squad having briefly been on the main roster. He only played on special teams in his one appearance.
Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was signed to the Bills’ practice squad and has so far played in one game, recording two tackles.
Dolphins:
Safety Ashtyn Davis has had a significant role, as he has started in five of his eight appearances. He has 26 tackles, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Defensive back Elijah Campbell is in a reserve role but only played three defensive snaps so far.
Another defensive back, Kendall Sheffield was recently added to the practice squad and has made two appearances already, with one tackle.
Patriots:
New England released Ballentine from their practice squad after he played one game for them but have since added another ex-Jet, defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.
Browns:
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris is in a rotational role this year, within which he has 13 tackles, five tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a pass defensed in eight games.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse had been on the roster all season, but he only played on special teams and is now with the Giants after being waived a few days ago.
Steelers:
Cornerback Brandin Echols and safety Chuck Clark have both contributed on defense for the Steelers. Echols in particular came up big in the win over New England with an interception and a key fourth down stop.
Echols has played in seven games, starting two, and has 19 tackles and two passes defensed. Clark has played in six games, starting four. He has 33 tackles, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Also: Defensive lineman Domenique Davis remains on injured reserve.
Bengals:
Defensive tackle Mike Pennel was a late addition but had been a useful backup with 15 tackles and a tackle for loss in eight games off the bench. However, he was just released.
Ravens:
The Ravens recently added defensive end Carl Lawson to their practice squad, although he hasn’t played yet.
Titans:
The Titans haven’t had any ex-Jets on defense so far this year.
Colts:
The same is true for the Colts.
Texans:
Folorunso Fatukasi and Sheldon Rankins were reunited on the defensive interior in Houston although Fatukasi is currently on injured reserve. Rankins has started seven games and has 11 tackles and a sack. Prior to getting hurt, Fatukasi had made one start but he had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in four games.
Also: The Texans re-signed Jalen Mills, who had been with them in preseason, to their practice squad.
Jaguars:
The Jaguars are the only other AFC team that hasn’t had any ex-Jets on defense this season.
Broncos:
John Franklin-Myers is having another strong season after a good 2024 campaign. He has played in eight games, starting seven, and racked up 13 tackles, six quarterback hits and four sacks.
Raiders:
After an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, defensive tackle Leki Fotu has played in four games this year, starting two. He has six tackles and a sack.
The Raiders also signed Jamal Adams and moved him into a permanent linebacker role and he’s surprisingly resurrected his career there. He made two starts and has 21 tackles and a sack in seven games overall.
Also: Linebacker Jamin Davis was signed to the practice squad but didn’t contribute yet.
Chiefs:
The Jets traded Derrick Nnadi to the Chiefs during final cuts and he’s been a useful addition for them as he has made six starts. In all, he has just six tackles in eight games, though.
Chargers:
Finally, the Chargers signed linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips but all his contributions so far for them have come on special teams.
Check back here next week when we’ll be covering ex-Jets special teamers and how they’ve performed on their current teams…
