Full Rundown of Reported Jets Undrafted Free Agents
With undrafted free agent additions likely coming to a halt, we thought this would be a good time to run down a list of every name we could find through various sources and add some video and written commentary on as many prospects as possible.
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami:
Taylor is by far the biggest name in the group. Having traded John Franklin-Myers during the draft without addressing the defensive interior, adding a defensive tackle was big. There were those who believed Taylor would be a mid-round pick. That didn’t happen and the Jets hope it’s their gain.
Per @uSTADIUM, the @nyjets are expected to sign Miami DT Leonard Taylor III.
Viewed by some as a mid-round pick, Taylor shows great strength that enables him to disengage and make plays inside. pic.twitter.com/1q7WnuaiOz
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 28, 2024
Shyheim Battle, CB/S, NC State:
The 6′ 2” 188 Battle plays hard and fast as a violent tackler who could settle in nicely if he were to land a full time spot at safety. Experienced player with 48 career games in which he logged 177 tackles, 7 interceptions and 25 passes defended.
According to @ustadium, Shyheim Battle can be added to the list of incoming Jets UDFAs.
Shows great anticipation and physicality. pic.twitter.com/75Lx30i4zQ
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 28, 2024
Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan:
A high motor defender who took part in the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, McGregor picked up 18 quarterback pressures and five sacks as a rotational lineman for Jim Harbaugh’s National Champions.
Per @ustadium, the @nyjets are signing UDFA edge rusher Braiden McGregor. Love the motor and intensity he plays with.
The Jets reportedly had to outbid several teams. pic.twitter.com/gXGiNx9yLL
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 28, 2024
Brady Latham, LG, Arkansas:
Getting more interior offensive line help had to be a target for the Jets after not taking any in the draft and Latham is a nice get. Tons of experience with 47 career starts almost exclusively at left guard, Latham shows a good anchor and plus athleticism as one would expect based on his relative athletic score of 9.16 on a 0-10 scale.
According to @DraftDiamonds, the @nyjets are adding undrafted free agent lineman Brady Latham (62) out of Arkansas who played LG and 1 game at RT.
A team captain with strong hands and a good anchor. pic.twitter.com/FN9xNPFZVL
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 28, 2024
Tre Jenkins, S/LB, San Jose State:
The Jets’ appetite for safety/linebacker hybrids is well known and Jenkins has already lived as both. per PFF Jenkins played 239 snaps in the box, 104 in the slot and 419 at free safety. His 4.67 40 time suggests he won’t spend a great deal of time covering NFL receivers.
(source)
Jarius Monroe, DB, Tulane:
The 6′ 2” 205 Monroe is a physical corner who had three interceptions and used is 32 1/4” arms to defend 10 passes last season. Tulane’s top corner now gets a shot to show if he can succeed as a pro defender.
(Source)
Jimmy Ciarlo, LB, Army:
A leader on defense and athletic linebacker, the 6′ 2” 220 Ciarlo will have to impress on special teams where he stood out for Army. Ciarlo ran an impressive 4.54 to go along with 34 reps of 225 and 36” vertical. The 34 reps of 225 would have been good enough for second among all NFL combine participants.
(source)
Lincoln Sefcik, TE, South Alabama:
An undersized tight end at South Alabama where he picked up just 494 yards over three seasons. Don’t be surprised if the 6′ 2” 238 Sefcik gets a look at fullback though.
(source)
Tyler Harrell, WR, Miami:
An absolute burner at wide receiver, Harrell reportedly ran a 4.19 on a visit to Louisville before his transfer and then ran a 4.28 at his pro day. Largely invisible for much of his college career, he did show something in 2021 when he averaged a whopping 29.1 yards per catch on 18 receptions.
One of the few players who may have challenged Xavier Worthy's 40 time in Indy was WR Tyler Harrell.
Reportedly ran a 4.19 on a Louisville visit and averaged 29 YPC in 2021.
Saw very few targets with 2 transfers to 'Bama and Miami but his speed alone will garner some attention. pic.twitter.com/WvilAg8L3t
— Glenn Naughton (@JetsPicks) March 7, 2024
(source)
Jackson Sirmon, LB, Cal:
A six year player for Washington and Cal, the 6′ 3” Sirmon manages to take on bigger blockers and shed in run support while also holding his own in coverage. A fundamentally sound tackler, Sirmon averaged 8 per game last season.
(source)
Jeremy Lewis, OLB, ECU:
A tight end turned linebacker, Lewis made the transition after two seasons at ECU. He had 143 career tackles to go along with ten sacks.
(source)
Marshel Martin, TE, Sacramento:
The 6′ 2” 230 Martin was nfl.com’s fifteenth ranked undrafted tight end after a senior season in which he produced just 295 yards. However, Martin did post 879 yards and 12 TD’s in 2022.
Shemar Bartholomew, DB, Georgia Southern
A 6′ 200 DB who ran a 4.45 at his pro day, Bartholomew held opposing quarterbacks to a 53.4% completion percentage according to PFF.com. He also logged four career interceptions to go along with 14 passes broken up.
(source)
Al Blades, CB, Duke:
Blades was another UDFA who some believed would hear his name called on draft day but landed with the Jets after going undrafted. Another candidate to see time at safety, Blades’ 4.64 40 isn’t what teams are looking for in a corner.
@nyjets UDFA CB Al Blades out of Duke does a nice job of staying with UNC WR Devontez Walker and timing his leap perfectly for the PBU. pic.twitter.com/tTACVeDnnz
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 29, 2024
(source)
Tyreek Johnson, DL, South Carolina
A versatile lineman who can play inside and out, Johnson has been at South Carolina since 2019 and missed significant time due to injury. The 6′ 4” 280 lb Johnson did manage to stay on the field as a reserve over the past two seasons, appearing in 23 games for the Gamecocks. A true long shot to make a very deep Jets roster.
(source)
Eric Watts, DE, UConn
Watts is a long limbed strong effort lineman who had some impressive reps down in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He had just 2 sacks in his final season at UConn but did register 34 pressures to go along with a career total of 23 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
(source)
Marcus Riley, WR, Florida A&M
The Jets liked Riley a whole lot. His agent said on twitter that Riley’s deal with the Jets is a 3-year deal for $2.83 million. A shifty receiver who is good after the catch, Riley should also be a candidate to return kicks.
(source)
Willie Tyler, OT, Louisville:
The 6′ 6” 310 Tyler had some impressive performances but did surrender seven sacks on 476 pass block reps with 3 of them coming against Florida in what was his worst performance of the season. He could be a practice squad candidate in 2024.
(source)
Byron “PeeWee” Jarrett, QB, West Florida:
A big QB with impressive arm strength but spotty accuracy. Footwork needs improvement and he doesn’t always appear to be willing to lower his shoulder to gain extra yards but can be tough to bring down in the pocket at 6′ 2” 245.
Jett Johnson, LB, Mississippi State
A productive college linebacker who averaged over 100 tackles per season over his final three collegiate campaigns, Johnson lacks coverage skills you want in today’s game but has good instincts and is a reliable tackler.
A productive college 'backer, Jett Johnson (44) is heading to the @nyjets as an UDFA. pic.twitter.com/ZFK5zlYvrM
— Glenn Naughton (@JNRadio_Glenn) April 29, 2024
(source)
Videos
Rodgers Throws Away Shot at Victory as Jets fall to 3-9