During Wednesday’s off day, the New York Jets made a flurry of roster moves.
The team announced that they have signed tight end Connor Hulstein and defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins while waiving safety Keidron Smith and defensive lineman Eric Watts with an injury designation.
Hulstein, 24, tried out for the Jets during their rookie minicamp following the NFL draft. Now, he finds a spot on the team’s 90-man roster following Kenyon Sadiq’s hernia setback.
At Marist during the 2025 NCAA season, he reeled in 42 receptions for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds, his 599 yards led FCS tight ends, while he ranked second in touchdowns (7).
Hulstein is now another body in a crowded Jets tight end room: Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, and Jeremy Ruckert, veteran Jelani Woods, fellow UDFA Chase Curtis of TCU, and now Hulstein.
Jenkins, 22, spent the spring with the Columbus Aviators of the UFL, where he logged 22 tackles (6.0 for loss) and 1.5 sacks in 10 games.
In his college career, he played at TCU and Tulane before going undrafted in 2025. After spending time on the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squads, he decided to enter the UFL for the 2025 season.
Smith and Watts both appeared to be longshots to make the Jets’ roster, while Watts seemed to have a higher chance. The defensive lineman hung around with the team and played in 18 games (one start) after signing as a UDFA out of UConn in 2024.
Overall, both Jenkins and Hulstein will look to make the most of their opportunities as training camp rolls on and the preseason approaches.
