As their star offseason acquisition holds out for a new contract, the New York Jets put six defensive ends onto their 53-man roster, including two undrafted rookies.
In addition to former first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald and Takk McKinley, the Jets filled out their edge rusher rotation with first-year UDFAs Braiden McGregor and Eric Watts. Micheal Clemons, a 2022 fourth-rounder who is viewed as an asset on special teams, is also listed as a defensive end although he can kick inside when needed.
Battista, Garafolo discuss Haason Reddick's lingering holdout 'The Insiders'
NFL Network's Judy Battista and Mike Garafolo discuss New York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick holding out while awaiting new contract.
That adds up to six edge players not including Reddick, a bonafide starter who led the Philadelphia Eagles in sacks the past two seasons. The Jets, however, are still waiting on Reddick to show up for work. After his introductory press conference, the New Jersey-born Pro Bowler skipped out on voluntary OTAs along with mandatory June minicamp.
"I can't lay out any expectations right now, but when he does arrive, we're all going to be excited," said general manager Joe Douglas after setting the 53-man roster earlier this week.
When the heavily-fined Reddick finally decides to show up, Gang Green will need to make a corresponding roster move to create room and one of those undrafted rookie defensive ends could be on the chopping block. Only five of the six are likely to dress on game days with Watts projected as the inactive.
The Jets could opt to pare down a different position group to create space for Reddick. The wide receiver room may have initially been a place where the Green & White could afford a future cut, considering there were seven on the first edition of the 53-man roster. After the Jets claimed a TE3 off waivers, the team bumped wide receiver Jason Brownlee off the roster to accommodate the offensive addition.
With Brownlee having since resurfaced on the Practice Squad, New York has six active wide receivers while the majority of teams usually roster five. Irv Charles, however, is likely safe in the WR6 spot due to his experience as a special teams gunner.
New York is off from practice on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but there's always a chance Reddick shows up when the team returns to work for game week in Florham Park. In that case, a current Jets' defender, likely one of their feel-good undrafted rookie stories, will lose his job.
