The New York Jets’ initial 2023 practice squad has been filled out
On Thursday, the New York Jets announced the signing of six more players to their practice squad, completing the 16-man unit.
Here is the Jets’ full practice squad as of August 31. In bold are the players who were signed today.
- QB Tim Boyle
- TE Zack Kuntz
- OL Adam Pankey
- DL Tanzel Smart
- DL Marquiss Spencer
- LB Samuel Eguavoen
- LB Caleb Johnson
- S Trey Dean
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- CB Craig James
- DL Jalyn Holmes (formerly of Jets)
- S Tyreque Jones (formerly of Titans)
- LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (formerly of 49ers)
- OL Jason Poe (formerly of 49ers)
- OL Ryan Swoboda (formerly of Lions)
- RB Xazavian Valladay (formerly of Steelers)
The first 10 players were waived by the Jets and returned to the practice squad after clearing waivers. Of the other six players, five were with other teams this offseason and signed with the Jets after clearing waivers. Jalyn Holmes played for the Jets this preseason but signed with the practice squad one day later than the initial 10 players.
Dean, Kuntz, and Smart are among the players who may have the best chance of being called up and contributing at some point this season.
Dean, an undrafted rookie from Florida, enjoyed a dominant preseason that saw him make 23 tackles with zero missed tackles. Fourth-year safety and special teams contributor Ashtyn Davis beat out Dean for the final roster spot at safety.
Kuntz is a seventh-round pick from Old Dominion. He is the only player on this practice squad who was drafted in 2023, and one of only two players who were drafted at all (Marquiss Spencer being the other; he was a seventh-round pick of Denver’s in 2021). Kuntz has world-class athleticism but remains extremely raw in most aspects of the game.
Smart is on the Jets’ practice squad for the fourth consecutive year. He seems to shine in the preseason every year, but unfortunately, he finds himself on a team that might have the deepest defensive line in the NFL. If injury strikes, though, the Jets will likely not hesitate to call upon Smart, whose quickness and explosiveness are perfect for their aggressive play style on defense.
