The New York Jets’ initial 53-man roster is set — but that doesn’t mean it’s the final 53. The Jets are 10th in the waiver wire order and also have an opportunity to sign free agents who were released outright by their teams.
The Jets haven’t been overly active during this period in recent years, but in the past, Joe Douglas picked up Quincy Williams and John Franklin-Myers off waivers after the initial 53. He could claim others or sign them outright this year.
Check out the New York Jets' Roster page for an updated 53-man roster, depth chart, and cuts.
Here are some available players around the NFL who could potentially interest the Jets.
QB Mike White
I don’t think the Jets want to carry three quarterbacks on their active roster, which means this is more likely a practice squad option. Mike White could very well sign on somewhere else as a backup. But if he doesn’t, the Jets could be a more intriguing option than most other teams since they have two aging passers in front of him with significant injury risks.
The Jets carried White on their practice squad for periods in 2021-22, and they could do so again if they won’t sign him outright.
Update: The Bills signed White to their practice squad.
WR Noah Brown
The Houston Texans had a crunch in their receiver room, especially after trading for Stefon Diggs. They kept seven receivers but released Noah Brown and Ben Skowronek. Brown is a vested veteran, which means he became a free agent without being subject to waivers.
Brown has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including during this year’s training camp. He did not play in any preseason games.
Still, Brown flashed last year when Nico Collins and Tank Dell missed games with injuries. He put up back-to-back 150+ receiving-yard performances in Weeks 9-10, then had 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 15. Overall, he finished the season with 33 receptions for 567 yards (17.2 yards per reception) and two scores in 10 regular-season games.
In 2022, Brown played 16 games for the Cowboys and had 43 receptions for 555 yards and three touchdowns.
Although he has injury problems, Brown is more proven as a receiver than Jason Brownlee, whom the Jets have continued to stash. The Jets’ receiving depth is still pretty thin, especially since Malachi Corley is raw. Bringing in Brown would give them more depth.
Brown also has some inside-outside versatility. For his career, he’s played 62.7% of his snaps out wide and 36.1% in the slot.
It might be worth taking a flier on the 28-year-old despite his injury history.
WR Isaiah Hodgins
This one seems less likely, as receivers with one random good year sandwiched by nothing are prevalent in the NFL. Still, when Hodgins joined the Giants midseason in 2022, he caught 33 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, earning a targeted passer rating of 127.7. However, in 2023, he took a backseat even in the Giants’ uninspiring receiver room, catching just 21 balls for 230 yards and three touchdowns despite playing in all 17 games.
Hodgins has been surehanded in his limited NFL experience, posting just one drop against 58 receptions (1.7%). Still just 25 years old, the former Bills sixth-round pick could be an intriguing option over Brownlee, as well.
The problem with Hodgins is he’s primarily an underneath target who plays exclusively on the outside. In his career, he’s played 84.5% of his snaps out wide, and his average depth of target (ADOT) is just 9.1. For a player who averages just 2.9 YAC per reception, such a small ADOT limits his usage tremendously.
Still, Hodgins seems to have a knack for finding the end zone (7 touchdowns on 58 career receptions) and has strong hands. He could also be worth taking a flier on.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
If two organizations gave up on a 25-year-old receiver who posted 839 receiving yards just two seasons ago, there’s likely a good reason, particularly when one team lacks receiving depth. Nevertheless, with the Jets’ own lack of depth at receiver, why not take a shot?
I know the Jets like Brownlee, but Peoples-Jones is the same age, the same height (6-foot-2), and within six pounds of weight (198 vs. 204). Why take the player without any proven NFL experience over the one who has it, even if the skill might not be replicable?
TE Donald Parham
If the Jets want a tight end who can give them a bit of catching ability, Donald Parham could be an option. Parham has just 67 receptions in 47 career games, but 11 of them were touchdowns. His 6-foot-8 frame gives him an advantage in the red zone (although as Jets fans know from the 6-foot-7 Zack Kuntz, that is not enough).
IOL Ricky Stromberg
The Commanders’ new regime waived five of the team’s seven 2023 draft picks, including third-round pick Ricky Stromberg. Stromberg saw just 26 snaps as a rookie, so it’s impossible to evaluate anything he could have done. Still, his third-round pedigree and versatility to play center or guard may make him a superior backup option to Xavier Newman, particularly since Newman would likely make it through to the practice squad.
Again, I doubt the Jets would do it, but he could be an interesting developmental option.
