The NFL season is always full of ups and downs, breakout performances, unfortunate injuries, and cinderella stories. Often times, many of these breakouts come from a group of ten that few fans really know much about. This group is known as the practice squad. This unit is exactly what it sounds like. It is made up of first-to-third-year players who only practice with the team. Given it is a year-to-year group, they are free to be signed by any team in the NFL. Of course, nobody stays there forever.
The New York Jets have plenty of talent on their practice squad in 2019. A strategically pieced together practice squad this season, it is important to know who is on it. Especially given the injury concerns and depth issues on the 53-man roster entering Week One. That being said, let’s take a look at who is on the Jets practice squad in 2019.
2019 New York Jets Practice Squad
Luke Falk – Quarterback
Falk is 6-4 and 215 lbs. entering his second season out of Washington State.
Having played under the air raid offense of Mike Leach, Falk set numerous records during his time as a Cougar. That being said, he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the team moved on from him before his first season concluded. That led him to join now Jets Head Coach Adam Gase while he was with the Miami Dolphins. After spending most of the off-season as the fourth-string quarterback, he took over Davis Webb for third string. In the end, Gase elected to go with two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster This move led Falk to go unclaimed and end up on the practice squad. Falk’s game is built around smart pocket passing and good poise. While he doesn’t have the strongest arm, do not be shocked if he is the future backup of this team.
Josh Adams – Halfback
Adams is 6-2 and 225 lbs. entering his second season out of Notre Dame.
After two quality seasons, a strong junior year led to Adams declaring a year early for the 2018 NFL Draft. A move that due to only being utilized as a power back in college hurt him, as he surprisingly went undrafted. He is a complete bulldozer of a back who runs aggressively and fights for every yard. Signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, Adams found himself in a good situation. With injuries wracking up, Adams got plenty of playing time and found himself leading the team in rushing yards last season. But with the additions of Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders, Adams was pushed out of Philadelphia. Now he resides as the biggest weapon on the Jets practice squad. With his size making him the biggest back on the team, if any injury occurs, Adams will surely get the call.
Greg Dortch – Wide Receiver
Dortch is 5-7 and 175 lbs. entering his rookie season out of Wake Forest.
The size of Greg Dortch will not stop him from succeeding in this league. Two fantastic seasons for the Demon Deacons found him declaring following this past spring. His size immediately puts him as a shifty slot receiver. His elusiveness and speed also make him a weapon in the return game. He is going to need to develop and bulk up to take on the hits of NFL players. Likely part of why after making the initial 53-man roster, the team opted for former New England Patriots receiver Braxton Berrios, and later signed Dortch to the practice squad. Do not be shocked though if by season’s end Dortch has played good snaps in 2019.
Jeff Smith – Wide Receiver
Smith is 6-1 and 195 lbs. entering his rookie season out of Boston College.
A quarterback converted to a utility halfback/receiver, Smith is an absolute athlete. After going undrafted, Smith began popping up making downfield plays during camp. Smith never saw enormous usage or touches in college and will be viewed as a project to round his game more. For now, he is a nice deep threat on the practice squad.
Josh Malone – Wide Receiver
Malone is 6-3 and 205 lbs. entering his third season out of Tennessee.
A big red zone target in college, the former fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals never saw much playing time. A loaded receiver corps being the biggest reason. Malone is more than just a big body weapon. A 4.40 forty-yard dash and big receiving averages in college prove that. Only seven receptions through two seasons are concerning, but there is a ton of potential here. He is a sleeper to watch out for if he is called onto the 53-man roster at some point this season. Especially given the lack of size in the Jets current receiving corps.
Ian Bunting – Tight End
Bunting is 6-6 and 248 lbs. entering his rookie season out of California.
This is not a small man. Starting at Michigan before transferring to California, he was never used as a receiving tight end. That changed this preseason with the Chicago Bears. He put his hands on display during a solid preseason campaign. Yet with a veteran tight end room, he was cut loose. With Chris Herndon‘s suspension and the unknown with the remaining group, Bunting might crack the 53-man roster if an injury occurs.
Ben Braden – Offensive Guard
Braden is 6-6 and 329 lbs. entering his third season out of Michigan.
A gritty guard out of Michigan from the 2017 NFL Draft, he soon joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent. Entering his third season, Braden finds himself back on the practice squad. Playing well in two games last season, he will be the first man up in case of injury. Expect Braden to continue to fight for a roster spot come 2020.
Calvin Anderson – Offensive Tackle
Anderson is 6-5 and 300 lbs. entering his rookie season out of Texas.
After transferring from Rice to Texas, Anderson put together a noticeable campaign for the Longhorns in 2018. This getting him on NFL teams’ radar, but not enough to get drafted. His quick feet and athlete ability led him to the Jets. He needs to refine his game and bulk up more to succeed on the outside in this league. There is a ton of potential for Anderson if he does so down the road.
Jamey Mosley – Linebacker
Mosley is 6-5 and 248 lbs. entering his rookie season out of Alabama.
This former member of the Crimson Tide is the younger brother of Jets star linebacker CJ Mosley. Also a linebacker, Jamey Mosley resides primarily as an upright outside linebacker. With prototype size, Mosley plays with speed and brings energy, in short, spirts off the bench. While not utilized often in college, he could develop into a decent package blitzer one day.
Kyron Brown – Cornerback
Brown is 6-1 and 195 lbs. entering his second season out of Akron.
Displaying athleticism and natural instincts in college, Brown was one of the many undrafted free agents to earn quality playing time this preseason. He, like many others, showed raw talent, and work to be done at tackling. Brown’s aggressive playing style fits defensive coordinator Gregg Williams‘ scheme perfectly. Brown could one day become a solid fourth or fifth corner.
Valentine Holmes – Halfback/Wide Receiver
Holmes is 6-1 and 200 lbs. entering his rookie season from the International Player Pathway Program.
A former Australian rugby star, fans didn’t know what to expect out of Holmes this summer. They now love him. He shows raw power and being a difficult player to bring down when he has the ball. He stared this preseason as a garbage time producer. Coming from the International Player Pathway Program, fans are certainly rooting for him to succeed.
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