After adding nine players in his first draft class as Jets general manager, Joe Douglas added another nine undrafted free agents.
Based on the guaranteed money that Gang Green handed out, Memphis edge rusher Bryce Huff and Alabama defensive back Shyheim Carter are its two most coveted undrafted free agents. The Jets gave the most guaranteed money to Huff, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Huff received $90,000 in guaranteed money, which includes a $15,000 signing bonus and $75,000 guaranteed base salary, per Mehta.
New York drafted Jabari Zuniga in the third-round out of the University of Florida but wanted to add more depth at a rather thin position. In 2019, Huff ranked fourth in the nation among pass-rushers with 64 total pressures. Over the past two seasons, Huff compiled 16 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss. During his senior campaign, he added 16 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He has a chance at making an immediate impact as an edge rusher.
As a versatile defender, who can either play safety or nickel, Carter received the second-most in guaranteed money with $72,000. Carter has the football acumen to serve as a depth or rotational player but lacks the athleticism to play cornerback at the next level. Still, Gregg Williams should find a place to play for a prospect that Nick Saban has spoken very highly of.
The Jets’ larget guaranteed sum on offense went to University of Washington OT Jared Hilbers. As ESPN’s Rich Cimini originally reported, the Jets guaranteed $62,000 to Hilbers.
Hilbers has the athleticism to play either tackle position and is a sound run-blocker. He fits the mold of the swing tackles that Douglas has been putting an emphasis on between Mekhi Becton and George Fant.
Each undrafted free agent receives a three-year, $2.285 million contract, but the guaranteed money demonstrates how much a team thinks of a player. Obviously, the Jets guaranteeing a player more money means the organization believes that the player has a better chance of making the team.
Here is what the guaranteed money looks like for the remaining six players in the Jets undrafted free agent class, per Mehta.
- Sterling Johnson | DT | Coastal Carolina: $60,000
- Lawrence Cager | WR | Georgia: $57,500
- Javelin Guidry | CB | Utah: $47,000
- Lamar Jackon | CB | Nebraska: $27,500
- George Campbell | WR | West Virginia: $2,500
- Domenique Davis | DL | UNC-Pembroke: $650