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Tracking the undrafted free agents for the Jets
The draft is over but the fun is still happening. Now it’s the craziness of signing players that squeaked through the draft. The Jets have plenty of open roster spots, so they should be busy. We’ll update and keep track of their undrafted free agent signings here.
Zonovan Knight has a chance to add something to a crowded Jets running back room as a UDFA. Here’s what you need to know about him:
The Jets wasted no time adding to their running back room at the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft, signing NC State’s Zonovan Knight as their first undrafted free agent.
New York drafted Breece Hall in the second round, but decided that Knight was worth bringing in nonetheless. It won’t be easy for Knight to earn touches with Hall, Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson in the mix, but he has a skill set that will allow him to compete among the group at a high level.
Let’s get to know Gang Green’s newest running back.
The Jets picked up former Penn State WR and IUP star Irvin Charles as an undrafted free agent. Here’s what you need to know bout him:
The Jets dipped deep into the undrafted free agent pool to bolster their wide receiver depth following the 2022 NFL draft, signing Irvin Charles out of Division II IUP.
Charles isn’t your average Division II undrafted free agent. He started his collegiate career playing for a Power 5 program and, occasionally, making an impact. He eventually desired an increased role, leading him to IUP and a season that played him onto New York’s undrafted free agent radar.
Here are five things to know about Gang Green’s newest wideout.
Keep up with the Jets’ activity in the undrafted free agent market following the 2022 NFL draft:
The 2022 NFL draft is officially closed for business, but Joe Douglas and the Jets are far from done adding to their roster.
With the conclusion of this year’s draft comes the additions of undrafted free agents, a market New York will explore. Isaiah Dunn and Kenny Yeboah received lucrative undrafted free agent contracts last offseason. Could Douglas hand out a similar deal or two again this year?
Here is a tracker for all of the undrafted free agents the Jets sign. Check back for updates as more signings come in.
Note: * indicates an invitation to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The Jets signed Auburn safety Jordyn Peters as an undrafted free agent. Here are four things to know about the Jets’ newest defensive back.
The Jets drafted one Auburn safety in Jamien Sherwood. Then they signed his teammate, Jordyn Peters, as an undrafted free agent.
Peters started at safety during his senior season at Auburn and recorded 42 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception. For Peters’ entire college career, he had 101 total tackles, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. Peters was also a key special teams player, as he had four career blocked punts and returned one for a touchdown.
With the Jets likely set at both safety positions, Peters’ best chance at making the team is as an asset on special teams given his production in college.
For now, let’s take a look at four things to know about Peters.
The Jets signed Auburn safety Jordyn Peters as an undrafted free agent. Here are four things to know about the Jets’ newest defensive back.
The Jets drafted one Auburn safety in Jamien Sherwood. Then they signed his teammate, Jordyn Peters, as an undrafted free agent.
Peters started at safety during his senior season at Auburn and recorded 42 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception. For Peters’ entire college career, he had 101 total tackles, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. Peters was also a key special teams player, as he had four career blocked punts and returned one for a touchdown.
With the Jets likely set at both safety positions, Peters’ best chance at making the team is as an asset on special teams given his production in college.
For now, let’s take a look at four things to know about Peters.
Jets Wire keeps you updated with all of New York’s activity in the undrafted free agent market.
The 2021 NFL draft is now officially closed for business, but Joe Douglas and the Jets are far from done making moves to bolster their roster.
With the conclusion of this year’s draft comes the additions of undrafted free agents, a market New York will certainly explore after a busy three days of selections.
Here is a tracker for all of the undrafted free agents the Jets sign. Check back for updates as more signings come in.
The New York Jets waived undrafted free agent DL Domenique Davis with a failed physical designation Thursday.
The Jets announced Thursday that they waived undrafted free agent DL Domenique Davis with a failed physical designation.
Davis signed with the Jets out the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He was guaranteed the least amount of money out of any of Gang Green’s undrafted free agents — just $650.
Details of Davis’ failed physical were not disclosed, but he hinted on Twitter that he’s in need of another surgery. Davis played through a torn labrum during his senior season and later had that injury surgically repaired.
Another surgery to be done smh
— Domenique Davis (@NiqueSavo) July 30, 2020
As a redshirt senior at UNCP, Davis recorded three sacks, six tackles for loss, 41 tackles, six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Davis was already a longshot to make the Jets’ 53-man roster outright, but he was unable to get through a week of training camp before being let go.
With Davis no longer with the organization, undrafted free agent Sterling Johnson out of Coastal Carolina is now New York’s lone undrafted defensive lineman on the active roster.
Despite a limited training camp, New York Jets undrafted free agent Byrce Huff plans on being a problem for opposing defenses in 2020.
When Bryce Huff was not among the 255 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, it came as surprise.
During his senior campaign at Memphis, Huff led the Tigers with 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He ranked fourth in the nation among pass-rushers in 2019 with 64 total pressures. The rise in production came after the Memphis coaching staff moved him from outside linebacker to defesnive end.
Now an undrafted free agent with the Jets, Huff has a real chance of making a team in desperate need of pass-rush help. For what it’s worth, he certainly expects to make an impact.
“I feel like my effort and my motor are definitely going to translate over,” Huff told Jets team reporter Olivia Landis. “My ability to make different pass-rush moves and mix it up on offensive lines will keep some offensive tackles on their edge in the league.”
Huff’s production at Memphis is why Joe Douglas gave him the most guaranteed money out of the Jets’ undrafted free agent class. Huff received $90,000 in guaranteed money, which includes a $15,000 signing bonus and a $75,000 guaranteed base salary.
It’s likely that even with a limited training camp, Huff will be able to play himself into a roster spot because the Jets are lacking necessary depth at edge rusher. Beyond Jordan Jenkins, who signed a one-year deal to return to New York, are Jabari Zuniga, Tarrell Basham, Harvey Langi and Frankie Luvu. All of them are unproven, though Zuniga, New York’s third-round pick, and Basham have a chance to start opposite Jenkins.
The Jets didn’t do much to address the pass-rushing position in free agency, so landing Huff as a priority undrafted free agent, in addition to Zuniga, has the potential to be a steal. He was originally projected to be a mid-round draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. While he didn’t hear his name called this past April, he plans on coming in with a chip on his shoulder and being a problem for opposing defenses in 2020.
“The plan just entails just me having a chance to come in and make an impact on defense in the ‘backer position or the edge position,” Huff said. “As long as I’m able to come in and do what I’m supposed to do, I should be able to make an impact this year.”
Joe Douglas has prior success in the undrafted free agent department and hopes to bring that skillset to the Jets this offseason.
A lot has been said and written about Joe Douglas’ ability to build a roster. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, Douglas proved at every stop he is capable of building a competent team. One of his many skills that goes mostly unnoticed, though, is his ability to identify undrafted rookies who can become contributors and even starters in the league early on.
Douglas played an integral role in finding undrafted free agents for the Ravens during his time as a scout from 2000-2014. Former Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome told ESPN back in March that he put Douglas in charge of finding undrafted free agents to sign during his time as a scout. Thanks to Douglas’ efforts, the Ravens have been one of the most successful franchises when it comes to finding undrafted free agents. They’ve rostered at least one undrafted rookie in 16 consecutive years, according to ESPN. Some of those players included Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker, Pro Bowl long snapper Morgan Cox, safety Will Demps and newly-signed Jets linebacker Patrick Onwuasor.
“We’ve made a living getting two or three college free agents a year,” Newsome said. “It started with Joe D. and his ability to lay the foundation for that program.”
The Jets haven’t been awful in the UDFA market, but they haven’t been great, either. Defensive lineman Kyle Phillips is the most recent success story after tallying 39 combined tackles, seven tackles for a loss, six quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks in 2019. Robby Anderson had a great four-year career in New York before he left in free agency. Defensive end Damon Harrison came out of nowhere after going undrafted in 2012 and started every single game for the Jets from 2013-2015 and tallied 193 combined tackles.
Douglas’ arrival means the Jets could soon bear the fruits of his scouting labors. Douglas signed nine undrafted players this offseason – three defensive backs, two wide receivers, two defensive linemen, one edge rusher and one offensive tackle – and the Jets hope to see a similar return on investment that the Ravens enjoyed over the last 16 seasons.
Any of those players could become important for the Jets. Douglas gave edge rusher Bryce Huff the most money of any UDFA – $90,00 guaranteed – and he plays a position of need for the Jets. Offensive tackle Jared Hilbers – who earned a $62,000 guarantee – has a great chance to make the roster as well because of his position in the Jets’ tackle depth chart. Receivers Lawrence Cager and George Campbell would provide big targets for Sam Darnold, and defensive backs Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry and Shyheim Carter all have the makings of great depth players in the secondary.
The Jets will need help from anywhere and everywhere after an up and down first season under Adam Gase. Douglas laid the groundwork with a solid offseason, but now it’s on the coaching staff and the players to put it all together. There is still a big need across the roster, and Adam Gase will need help from anywhere and everywhere in order to field a winning team.
