After their Monday night loss, the New York Jets are signing defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey to their practice squad
The New York Jets are adding some more depth to their defensive line.
According to a report from Aaron Wilson, the Jets are signing former fourth-round draft pick Perrion Winfrey to their practice squad. The Jets then announced the singing later in the day.
#Jets are signing former #Browns and @OU_Football defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey to their practice squad, per a league source. Winfrey trained all summer in Houston with elite trainer @justinallen_13 alongside his friend and former Browns teammate @marvinwilson21 @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 7, 2023
Practice squad move: We've signed DL Perrion Winfrey and released DL Bruce Hector.
📰 https://t.co/BOTXLcGd93 pic.twitter.com/ZTCM2tALC9
— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 7, 2023
Winfrey, 23, was selected with the No. 108 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his one season for the Browns, the defensive tackle had 22 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits.
The former Oklahoma product ran into some off-the-field issues in 2023 that led to his release from the Browns. Winfrey was arrested in Texas on a misdemeanor assault charge on April 10, 2023. He then was accused of pulling a gun on a woman and threatening her in Cleveland on July 19, 2023. This subsequently led to his release from the Browns.
It is interesting to see the Jets take a flier on Winfrey, especially considering how his off-the-field issues may not line up with the type of players that the Jets seem to value.
Yet, he is only a practice squad addition with little risk but potentially a higher reward for the team.
If Winfrey can approach his production at Oklahoma, which included him providing 29 total pressures and six sacks in 2021, the Jets will have another helpful piece on their defensive line. If the Jets decide not to use the defensive tackle, the signing does not impact their roster and has little risk attached to it.
Yet, adding to the defense is the least of the Jets’ problems right now. More importantly, adding a player with confirmed off-the-field concerns is concerning.