Jets to re-sign former third overall pick

The former No. 3 overall pick is coming off his most productive season, having registered a career-high five sacks. Mostly used as a rotational rusher, the seven-year veteran added seven tackles for loss — the most he has tallied since his 49ers rookie year.

Although Thomas has never come especially close to living up to his draft slot, he has found a home on the Jets. This stands to be the 28-year-old interior D-lineman’s third season in New York. Saleh initially coached Thomas throughout his San Francisco rookie contract, which ran from 2017-20. Thomas’ first Jets season only produced a half-sack.

Pro Football Focus still graded the Stanford alum as a bottom-five interior D-lineman — among the 130 to qualify as regulars — but scheme familiarity will go a long way here. Also regarded as a locker-room leadership presence, Thomas earned $2.35M on his 2022 Jets deal. Thomas cashed in via his rookie contract (four years, $28.2M), but his career showing has kept his earnings fairly low since.

Quinnen Williams remains the Jets’ D-line fulcrum, but the team added Kinlaw — a 2020 Saleh charge in San Francisco — and ex-Cardinals nose tackle Leki Fotu this week. The Jets lost 2023 sack leader Bryce Huff but have 2022 and 2023 first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in place at D-end, along with veteran John Franklin-Myers.