New York Jets: The incomplete practice squad

Sep 14, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Deion Barnes (18) during the fourth quarter against the Central Florida Knights at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

As of this writing, the New York Jets have signed 8 of 10 spots on their practice squad roster. With two spots open, general manager Mike Maccgnan is obviously not done with this roster. The Jets will be scanning the wire to fill the final two spots before the season opens, and will likely tweak the roster as the season progresses. If we’ve learned anything about this new management team in the off season, it’s that they are thorough and have an eye for talent.

This time around, I’d like to look at the players they have signed officially signed so far to the practice squad. The players here have talent and fans likely see one or two of them make the active roster at some point in the season, so let’s take a look what these young guys bring to the table.

Next: Offensive Players

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Jets fullback Tommy Bohanon (40) is defended by Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during the second half of a game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Players

The Jets currently have four offensive players on the practice squad. These young players have potential to contribute down the line and we may get to see one of these young men contribute during the season.

Wes Saxton was an undrafted free agent taken by the Jets after this year’s NFL Draft. Saxton played his college ball at South Alabama and was projected as a 5th or 6th round pick by many predraft analysts. Saxton measures out at 6’3″/248 lbs. Many fans including myself were excited to see the Jets pick him up this spring.

Saxton runs some nice routes and has decent size for the TE position. The knock on him predraft and into Jet camp is his blocking ability. Saxton fits the mold of a hybrid as he’s played mostly as a receiving option but due his inability to block, has experience in both the slot and lining up outside on offense.

Bottom line on Saxton is he will need to put on some weight and learn to block. He could become an option as a pass catching tight end in Gailey’s offense down the line, but he’ll need to learn to block. Saxton could break the 53-man roster this season, but only if there is an injury to another TE on the roster. Best situation for Saxton would be to remain on the practice squad, grow, learn blocking techniques and develop his game. Practice squads are often fluid during the season and Saxton may or may not be here next season.

Walter Powell was cut Saturday, causing a minor uproar among Jet fans, but was re-signed on Sunday and placed on the Jets’ practice squad. Powell turned some heads this summer. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Cut by the Cardinals last summer, he was signed by the Jets off of waivers on September 1, 2014.

Powell measures out at 5’11″/187 lbs. Powell showed well in the final preseason game, catching everything thrown his way. He had a good camp and broke a few nice returns off for the Jets in the preseason.

I’d expect Powell to contribute this season for the Jets. He’s currently on the practice squad, but it is my belief he’ll be on the 53-man roster after the final roster is tweaked a bit. His return skills and special teams contributions will likely be enough for him to step into a role on the Jets. He has good hands, average speed, but plays the game fast. I think he becomes the Jets’ special teams returner once the dust settles.

Wesley Johnson entered the NFL as fifth round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft. Cut by the Steelers, he was signed by the Jets off waivers on October 13, 2014. In a crowded offensive line competition for the Jets this season, Johnson didn’t do enough to break the 53-man roster. Johnson is the lone offensive lineman on the practice squad, he measures out at 6’5″/295 pounds. He’ll likely remain on the Jets’ practice squad for the season, and with development, may be a part of a rebuilding for the aging offensive line come next season.

Finally we have Julian Howsare. Listed on the Jets’ roster as a fullback, Howsare was a college DE/LB out of small school Clarion, but the Jets’ offensive coaches used him as a blocking fullback during camp this season. He stands 6’3″ and tips the scales at 255 pounds.

Tommy Bohanon beat Howsare out for the starting job this summer, but with no backup, Howsare could see action this season if Bohanon is injured or struggles. His practice squad spot is likely locked down for the season for that very reason.

Next: Defensive Players

Taiwan Jones (34) celebrates defense stop during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports” width=”850″ height=”625″ /> Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Taiwan Jones (34) celebrates defense stop during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Players

Not neglecting the defense, Todd Bowles and company also added four players to their practice squad. The talent here is also promising and may be part of the Jet’s future going ahead.

Jordan Williams is a 6’4″/287 pound defensive end prospect. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets this spring. Williams played his college ball for the University of Tennessee. Williams amassed 96 snaps in the preseason, posting 5 tackles, two of which came for losses in the Atlanta game.

With a very talented Jet front, and adequate reserves, it is doubtful Williams sees an NFL snap this year. Regardless, he’s likely to remain with the Jets through the season, as Bowles reportedly thinks this young man has an upside.

Taiwan Jones is one of two linebackers the Jets chose to keep on their practice squad. Jones was signed as an undrafted free agent at the end of the 2015 NFL Draft. Jones was predicted to go in the fourth or fifth round by many NFL analysts predraft. Likely due to poor combine results, where Jones turned in a 4.95 forty yard time, Jones went undrafted.

Jones showed well for the Jets this summer, and may turn into the steal of the year if he can continue to show development. He plays faster than his forty time would suggest. He appeared in 83 defensive snaps this summer, and added 42 special teams as well. Bowles described him as “a real thumper” during a post practice presser this summer.With an aging linebacker corps, Jones projects to join the group next season if his development continues. If the injury bug would hit the Jets this season, Jones could see action this year.

Deion Barnes is the other linebacker the Jets chose to sign to the practice squad. Barnes played his college ball at Penn State University and was signed as an undrafted free agent this year at the conclusion of the draft. Barnes is listed by the Jets as 6’4″/255 pounds. Barnes got a good hard look this summer by the Jets’ coaching staff, appearing in 128 defensive snaps in the preseason and adding 41 snaps on special teams to his resume. Some may remember his 1-5 sacks of Tim Tebow in the final preseason game.

I’ll admit I am a bit biased when it comes to Barnes, as a Penn State Alumni, I had the pleasure of watching this young man play live many times. Barnes came out early, and would have done himself a favor if he had stayed in college for his final year. The Jets will allow him that year on their practice squad. While Barnes is not the fastest or most athletic linebacker you’ll ever see, he is a very smart player. He diagnosis plays quickly and plays hard from snap to finish on every play. Along with Taiwan Jones, he may become part of the Jets’ linebacker corps going into next season.

Keon Lyn rounds out the present practice squad for the Jets. Lyn came to the Jets off waivers after the Indianapolis Colts cut him after taking him as an undrafted rookie after last year’s draft. He came to the Jets as a late signing in August and managed 43 defensive snaps through the preseason, for his effort he posted six solo tackles and a single pass defense. Lyn spent 2014 in the CFL, playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Lyn hits the scales at 6’1″/201 after having his collegiate ball at the University of Syracuse. Lyn ran a 4.39 forty at his pro day, and the Jets reportedly like his size and speed at corner. He’s a long shot to see the field for the Jets this season, but seemingly will get a year to develop further on the Jets’ practice squad this winter. Personally this signing was a bit of surprise to me, but admittedly I paid little attention to him last month. Maccagnan saw something in this young man, so we’ll have to see how he fits the Jets’ roster going forward.

Those are the eight players fortunate enough to make the practice squad this year. There will likely be changes to the group as the season progresses, but one thing is certain, there is talent among these young men. I wish them all the best of luck this season and look forward to watching them progress through the year.

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