In a pair of corresponding roster moves, the New York Jets added a young prospect to their defensive line while also ending a surprising special teams “competition.”
As announced by the team’s official social media accounts, the Jets have waived long snapper Garrison Grimes and signed defensive lineman Ben Barten.
Grimes was signed earlier this year as an undrafted free agent out of BYU, providing a potential threat to veteran long snapper Thomas Hennessy, who has held down the role in New York since 2017. He recorded a Relative Athletic Score of 10.00, ranking first among long snapper prospects in NFL history.
Apparently, though, the Jets didn’t need much time to determine that they would prefer to roll with Hennessy over the uber-athletic rookie. Grimes was waived after just two training camp practices.
Hennessy has appeared in all 149 games for the Jets since 2017, collecting 29 total tackles. He has two years remaining on his four-year, $5.97 million contract extension.
Replacing Grimes on the roster is Ben Barten, an undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound defensive tackle initially signed with the New York Giants but was waived earlier this week.
In four seasons at Wisconsin (44 games), Barten posted 63 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, eight pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries. During the 2025 season (12 games), he collected 24 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass deflections.
Barten joins a Jets defensive tackle depth chart that appears as follows:
- Jowon Briggs
- T’Vondre Sweat (NFI)
- David Onyemata
- Harrison Phillips
- Darrell Jackson Jr.
- Payton Page
- Mazi Smith
- Jack Heflin (UDFA)
- Ben Barten (UDFA)
