Thoughts on New York Jets Roster Moves

Aug 29, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback

Richard Sherman

(25) and Oakland Raiders cornerback

Phillip Adams

(28) talk during team warmups prior tot he game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets made some moves to the 53 man roster today, adding a cornerback and a wide receiver. Here are the moves in case you missed them.

Rookie wide receiver Quincy Enunwa was released, and CB Phillip Adams was signed. The Jets also signed WR Walter Powell, and released LB Jeremiah George. Finally, the Jets resigned LB A.J. Edds, and released CB Ellis Lankster. Let’s talk about the moves.

Defense & Fumbles

Adams attended South Carolina State University, and was first team All-Conference in his senior season. Here is some tape on Adams from his time with the Raiders:

He clearly has ball skills. Adams is someone you could see playing in passing situations for the Jets, and could potentially work his way up to start, especially if Dee Milliner‘s ankle lingers for most of the season, as high ankle sprains are known to do.

Walter Powell measured in at the Combine at 5’11”, 189 pounds. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals. Ironically it is the same round that Enunwa was chosen, so basically the Jets swapped 6th round draft picks. Powell didn’t run a good 40 yard dash, with a pedestrian timing of 4.63 seconds. Here are the notes on his pros and cons, courtesy of his draft profile:

STRENGTHS: Loose lower body. Good balance and short-area quickness. Slippery after the catch — can elude the first tackler and dart to daylight. Shows confidence and a knack for finding creases as a returner — four scores the last two seasons. Productive three-year starter. Smart and competitive. Two-time team captain with terrific intangibles — cares about the game and works at his craft.

WEAKNESSES: Has a thin build and short arms. Needs to get stronger — ill-equipped to combat press coverage. Not an explosive, quick-twitch athlete. Average hands and foot speed. Route running needs refinement. Underpowered blocker.

Here are Walt Powell’s college stats:

He seems like a capable receiver, but he doesn’t seem like a unique talent. The Jets have a smaller receiver to play the slot, his name is Jeremy Kerley. Especially with the release of Stephen Hill, the Jets would need a taller receiver, one that is more suited to play press coverage. Powell is small, and going to have a tough time making a mark in this league if he can’t play press coverage. We will see soon enough if the guy has the goods to stick with the Jets.

The final move was the most curious. Not the resigning of A.J. Edds, since I wanted to see him make the team to begin with. He had an excellent camp, and will be a worthy member of the Jets’ depth chart at the linebacker position. The question to me is who was moved to replace him. Yes, Ellis Lankster was not high on the depth chart at cornerback with the Jets, but he was an excellent special teams player. The move didn’t seem prudent on a team where special teams can make the difference in games.

What did you guys think about the moves today?

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