The New York Jets have bolstered their defensive line by acquiring defensive tackle Jowon Briggs from the Cleveland Browns. The trade, confirmed by both teams on Tuesday, August 20, 2025, sees the Jets receive Briggs and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick (originally from the Buffalo Bills) in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick sent to the Browns.
Briggs, 23, adds depth and youth to the interior of the Jets’ defense. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 313 pounds, he is entering his second year in the league after being selected by Cleveland in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. His rookie season with the Browns was a testament to his perseverance. After being waived during the final roster cuts in August 2024, he was promptly re-signed to the practice squad. His hard work paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on December 2, 2024.
In his limited action during the 2024 season, Briggs appeared in six games for the Browns. He recorded 13 total tackles (three solo), two quarterback hits, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery, according to Pro-Football-Reference. His performance showed promise as a rotational player capable of disrupting the run game.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Briggs was a highly-touted four-star prospect coming out of Walnut Hills High School. He initially committed to the University of Virginia, where he played for two seasons (2019-2020). As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact, becoming the first freshman defensive lineman to start a season opener for the Cavaliers since 1986. In his two years at Virginia, he tallied 39 tackles and four sacks.
Following the 2020 season, Briggs entered the transfer portal and returned to his hometown to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats. His career flourished at Cincinnati, where he played from 2021 to 2023. In his first year, he helped the Bearcats reach the College Football Playoff. His standout season came in 2022 when he was named a first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) selection after recording 60 tackles and 4.5 tackles-for-loss. He finished his collegiate career with a combined 169 tackles and 12 sacks across his time at both universities.
The trade represents a strategic move for both franchises. For the New York Jets, it’s a low-risk acquisition to strengthen their defensive tackle rotation with a young player who has NFL experience and a solid collegiate pedigree. Briggs will now compete for a spot in a defensive front known for its depth and talent.
For the Cleveland Browns, the deal allows them to move up in the 2026 draft, turning a seventh-round pick into a sixth-round selection for a player who may have been on the roster bubble heading into the new season. This type of asset management is common as teams fine-tune their rosters before the regular season begins. The trade is pending a physical for Briggs.
