NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Justin Hardee Sr. #34 of the New Orleans Saints on his way off the field after a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Saints defeated the Titans 38-28.
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have signed special teams ace Justin Hardee to a three-year deal that’ll immediately help Braden Mann.

Robby Sabo

The New York Jets have turned their attention to special teams. Justin Hardee, a special teams ace who’s made his professional home in New Orleans with the Saints, has agreed to a three-year deal with the Jets, per Nick Underhill of New Orleans Football and other sources.

Hardee, 27, was an undrafted free agent of the Houston Texans back in 2017. Sean Payton‘s New Orleans Saints scooped the Illinois University product up in early September of that same year.

What Hardee provides on the football field should greatly benefit Jets sophomore punter Braden Mann. Hardee is a true special teams demon.

The gunner collected 47 total tackles (41 solo) as part of a pretty solid Saints’ special teams unit. Thirty-three of those tackles have come on special teams, and best yet, he’s missed just five.

Hardee racked up nine tackles to just one missed tackle a year ago, ranking him sixth in the special teams category per Pro Football Focus.

The expectation has to be that Hardee will immediately help Mann and the Jets’ porous punt team from this past season. If not for Mann’s tackling prowess, the unit would have relented even more yards.

Originally a wide receiver and return man in college, Hardee eventually took to special teams and moved over to the defense side. As it pertains to the Jets, don’t expect their newest player to strap it up at cornerback any time soon (just 119 career defensive snaps).

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Robby Sabo is a co-founder, developer and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor | Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (sold in 2020). SEO: XLM Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com
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Dark Demonik
Dark Demonik
2 years ago

The Jets figure to help out LB/Punter Brandon Mann with tackling since he does it all

JetOrange
JetOrange
2 years ago

Special Teams need some help. It’s being addressed. Consider, WR 5 & 6 usually have to contribute on ST. Possibly the Jets depth at WR, will be pure WR’s, rather than a WR/ST combos.