The New York Jets will have some difficult decisions leading into Tuesday as the team cuts down to 53 players. One of the hardest decisions will come along the defensive line, where multiple undrafted free agents have made a name for themselves throughout training camp.
UConn’s Eric Watts has put together a strong camp, while Miami’s Leonard Taylor has looked dominant during preseason games. However, another rookie is having a great summer of his own despite not being mentioned as much: Braiden McGregor. Fresh off a preseason finale in which he had a hand in three sacks, McGregor received high praise from one particularly important executive director.
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Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy heaped praise on the Jets’ UDFA. He also claimed that the Michigan product deserves to make the team’s 53-man roster.
Just preseason so not taking any victory laps for being Braiden McGregor's biggest supporter on here but he certainly looks to be what I thought he'd be. (Okay, if that's a victory lap then so be it)@BraidenMcgregor has earned a spot on this Jets' 53.pic.twitter.com/QRe92Kk8FY
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 25, 2024
For those who may not know, McGregor participated in the 2024 Senior Bowl before sitting out on the final day of practice due to an undisclosed injury. That injury caused him to miss the NFL Combine, potentially having an impact on him going undrafted.
However, that would end up as good news for the Jets. The team would sign McGregor as a UDFA, and he instantly started making waves during training camp. Those practice sessions have paid off during the preseason.
McGregor has put together multiple high-end reps during the Jets’ preseason games. While it hasn’t always led to sacks, the final game against the New York Giants saw that hard work pay off. In the finale, Mcgregor tallied three sacks.
3 sacks for Braiden McGregor. Second straight game with plenty of pass rush wins.
Feels like a guy the #Jets might lose if they waive him, but can they fit him on the roster if they keep Takk and Taylor? pic.twitter.com/HyqssToy7i
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) August 25, 2024
The biggest question is this: Was that game enough to salvage McGregor’s spot on the roster?
McGregor is battling with two players in particular for a spot on the roster, Takk McKinley and the aforementioned Taylor. McKinley is a former first-round pick who’s hit his stride this offseason. Meanwhile, Taylor was a projected Day 2 pick in the NFL draft just one year ago. McKinley and Taylor both finished atop their respective positions in pressure rate this preseason.
That’s not to say that McGregor is a slouch. After all, his 22.4% pass-rush win rate (per Pro Football Focus) ranked seventh-best among 109 qualified edge rushers (min. 25 pass-rush snaps). He also finished 11th in true pass set win rate (30.4%). However, it remains to be seen if that is enough for him to win one of the highly contested roster spots the Jets will have available along that position group.
Even if he does not land on the Jets’ roster, McGregor will likely find a home elsewhere thanks to his play this summer. Nagy certainly thinks the Michigan product has a bright future; we will find out soon whether that future is in Florham Park.
