The 2021 NFL Draft is over and the New York Jets were able to add many key pieces to the team. Players like Zach Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Elijah Moore are now in the spotlight. Everyone is talking about how they will be able to contribute immediately and why this is a new era. However, the New York Jets added several key pieces from the undrafted free agent list.
The Jets acquired several undrafted free agents who might find themselves with a roster spot when the season starts. Undrafted free agents can help fill out a roster and the Jets still have plenty of filling out to do.
Here are four undrafted free agents the Jets signed who could be on the final roster when the season begins.
New York Jets Undrafted Free Agent Additions
Edge Rusher Hamilcar Rashed Jr – Oregon State
Over the course of free agency, the Jets added Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry at the edge rusher position. Although this is a great start at addressing the position it most likely wasn’t going to be enough.
Hamilcar Rashed Jr was the first undrafted free agent the Jets signed. Adding Rashed to the team gives them more depth and flexibility at the position. He has the explosiveness and motor to make plays in the backfield. Playing against tight ends at the line of scrimmage is another one of Rashed’s strengths. He makes sure they do not get a free release which will help out the young secondary immensely.
Rashed will also provide special teams value, which may be his ticket to earning a spot on the roster. Ideally, he will be a starter on special teams and a rotational edge for Gang Green.
Tight End Kenny Yeboah – Ole Miss
Kenny Yeboah is one of the most explosive tight ends in this class. He is six-foot-four 250 pounds and a nightmare to cover. During the 2020 season he recorded 27 receptions, 524 yards, and six touchdowns in just eight games. Averaging 19.4 yards per reception is absolutely incredible at the tight end position and it shows his ability to run after the catch.
Yeboah is overall an incredible pass catcher. He has great vertical speed while running his routes and can track the ball extremely well. Also, with his height, he can snag the ball at the top of the catch point over the defensive back’s head. Yeboah made contributions on special teams as well, which will only help his case in earning a spot on the Jets roster.
The Jets tight end position is up for grabs after Chris Herndon struggled last year and the only free agent signing was former Buffalo Bills player Tyler Kroft. Yeboah might be able to come into training camp and earn a roster spot as well as a prominent role in the Jets offense this season.
Offensive Tackle Parker Ferguson – Air Force
The offensive line has been Joe Douglas‘ favorite target since he became the general manager of the Jets. Surprisingly, Douglas only added one offensive lineman during the draft. Once it came to signing undrafted free agents he wasted no time and added as many offensive linemen as he could.
Parker Ferguson was a priority for Douglas and gives the team some nice depth at the tackle position. George Fant and Mekhi Becton are going to be the starting tackles this season, but the Jets needed some depth and future pieces.
Ferguson has started for three seasons at left tackle and can most likely make the swing over to be a right tackle. Although he has plenty of starting experience he is still raw at the position and will take some time to develop to be NFL-ready. Having him as a depth piece though will help provide some security on the offensive line.
Kicker Chris Naggar – SMU
Watching NFL kickers has been extremely stressful these past few seasons. The Jets have also not been able to find a long-term solution at the position and seem to have a new kicker every week. Hopefully, Chris Naggar will be the solution.
Naggar made 17 of his 21 field goal attempts leading the AAC with an 81% success rate. Having a kicking competition is always a good option. If Naggar is the answer for the Jets at the position, he will quickly become the best undrafted free agent addition.
If the New York Jets can have one, or two, of these undrafted free agents, contribute then that is a success. Not many teams can find contributors among undrafted free agents. The Jets might have been able to find some this year.
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