The nine players selected in Joe Douglas’ first draft as the Jets GM aren’t the only rookies who will compete for jobs this summer. Douglas and the Jets also signed nine undrafted free agents to the roster in the hope of finding young and talented players where other teams missed.
Douglas is already known as an UDFA wizard from his days with the Ravens, so he has a leg up on finding the best talent after the draft. It’s likely why he grabbed players from multiple positions of need, including outside linebacker, defensive back, offensive line and wide receiver. At the very worst, Douglas will fill out his practice squad. But at the very best, he could find a young and cheap role player at various spots on the team.
Here are the expectations for all the Jets’ undrafted free agents with training camp approaching.
EDGE Bryce Huff
The Jets need pass rush help and Huff will have a great opportunity to make an impact early. Besides Jordan Jenkins, the Jets don’t have an entrenched second outside linebacker on the roster – and this is where Huff could fill in. He’s small for his position (6-foot-1, 254 pounds) but quick on the edge and has a nose for the quarterback.
Huff won’t become a game-breaking edge rusher right off the bat but he’ll fit a nice niche in Gregg Williams’ defense from the start, which could develop into a more consistent role on the Jets. The expectations are rarely high for undrafted free agents, but Huff received the most guaranteed money of any UDFA pickup by the Jets – $90,000.