The last pick of the 2024 NFL draft was a casualty of the roster crunch.
According to Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the New York Jets waived safety Jaylen Key on Tuesday. Key is now subject to being claimed on waivers by any other NFL team.
Jaylen Key wasn’t at practice today because the #Jets waived him, per source.
Other teams will have the ability to claim Mr. Irrelevant on waivers.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 27, 2024
Key did not have an amazing preseason, but he was not bad either.
In his preseason action, Key was a relatively sound tackler. He had nine solo tackles and only two missed tackles, which came in the first game against the Carolina Panthers. Pass coverage was minimal for the Alabama product; he was only targeted twice and gave up two receptions for 12 yards.
Regardless of his production, Key’s release is not too surprising. He was stuck behind a depth chart filled with veterans and players the Jets valued higher than him. Key was not supplanting Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, or Ashtyn Davis without looking like one of the better safeties in football, which was not expected.
If the safety passes through waivers, though, a return to the team’s practice squad seems likely. Despite not making the 53-man roster, the Jets valued Key enough to be selected with a draft pick. He has some upside and could be a future developmental option for New York with his sound tackling and versatility on defense.
For now, the Jets’ safety room and secondary seem to be set without Key. They have a very deep group and look to be ready to compete at the highest level once again in 2024.
