It looks like the Jets are in the market for another wide receiver.
Less than a week after signing Chris Hogan to address its lack of depth at the position, New York will put free agent wide receiver Donte Moncrief through COVID-19 protocol with the hope of working him out, according to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta. If Moncrief passes the protocols, he will have his tryout.
Moncrief, 27, has bounced around the NFL since putting together an impressive 2018 season (48 receptions, 668 yards, three touchdowns) with the Jaguars. He signed a two-year deal with the Steelers in free agency last offseason but lasted only five games in Pittsburgh before being released in November. Moncrief caught on with the Panthers to end 2019, but did not catch a single pass in three games.
Prior to 2018, Moncrief spent four years with the Colts after they drafted him in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He totaled 152 receptions, 1,875 yards and 18 touchdowns in Indianapolis, his best season coming in 2015 (64 receptions, 733 yards six touchdowns).
With Denzel Mims sidelined due to an ankle injury and Vyncint Smith sidelined 5-8 weeks after undergoing core surgery, the Jets are without two of their top four wide receivers early in training camp. In all likelihood, Smith will not be ready to go for the beginning of the regular season, while there is currently no definitive timetable for Mims’ return. Signing Hogan somewhat bolstered the Jets’ wide receiver depth chart, but New York needs more than just one veteran and a bunch of unproven free agent wideouts to fill out the group.
Jets fans might remember Moncrief as the Jaguars receiver who torched Trumaine Johnson for five catches, 109 yards and a touchdown just two years ago. If all goes well in his tryout, he could be burning opposing corners while donning green and white in 2020.