New York Jets: Breaking down the team’s 10-man practice squad

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 08: Greg Dortch #2 of the New York Jets celebrates his touchdown with teammates Charone Peake #17 and Ben Braden #69 in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets have officially announced their initial 10-man practice squad ahead of the start of the 2019 season. Here is a brief breakdown of each of these players.

The New York Jets are officially under a week away from the start of the 2019 season. The roster has been finalized and so too has the complete practice squad ahead of Week 1.

Well, almost finalized.

The Jets’ practice squad currently has 10 players signed under contract which would normally indicate that it’s full. However, under the NFL’s International Pathways program, each team in the AFC East is allowed one extra spot for an international player.

This season, that player will be converted Australian rugby star Valentine Holmes.

Still, the 10 men that make up the team’s practice squad have plenty of potential. There will be some new faces who have yet to be seen in a Jets uniform and there will be others who many will recognize from this preseason or years prior.

Either way, the Jets will be hoping that at least one or two of these players could develop into future role players on the team, either this season or in future seasons.

With that, let’s take a look and briefly breakdown the 10 players currently on the Jets practice squad.

Next: Josh Adams and Calvin Anderson

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 22: Josh Adams #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball in the third quarter during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field on August 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. New York Jets (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Adams, RB

Perhaps the most notable name that the Jets acquired to begin the month, former Philadelphia Eagles running back Josh Adams joined the team after being waived following the conclusion of the preseason.

Adams was Philadelphia’s leading rusher last season after surprising as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame. However, a crowded backfield led to his departure this summer.

He joins a similar situation in New York with a crowded running back depth chart as the likes of Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, and Trenton Cannon currently reside on the active roster.

But if one of them were to go down with an injury, expect the Jets to waste little time promoting Adams up from the practice sqaud.

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2. Calvin Anderson, OT

One of a collection of undrafted rookies the team signed this summer, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson will be given a chance to continue his development down on the practice squad.

Anderson started all 14 games at left tackle during his final collegiate season at the University of Texas — earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in the process. Before that, he played three years with the Rice Owls.

The 23-year-old quietly had an impressive summer getting extensive looks with the second-stringers at left tackle. And with only one full-time backup tackle on the roster in rookie Chuma Edoga, Anderson could see time if the injury bug strikes.

Next: Ben Braden and Kyron Brown

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 08: Cody Latimer #12 of the New York Giants makes the catch as Kyron Brown #40 of the New York Jets defends in the first quarter during a preseason matchup at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Ben Braden, OG

Ben Braden rejoins the Jets practice squad now for the third straight season. The 25-year-old has spent pretty much the entirety of the last two seasons on the team’s practice squad and he will be given one final year to prove his worth.

After all, NFL players can only be signed to a practice squad for a maximum of three years before they’re deemed ineligible. Much like Anderson, Braden gives the Jets some extra offensive line insurance in case of injury.

At this point, it’s unlikely that Braden will be anything more than a backup. But the 25-year-old will be looking to prove that he could be a valuable swing tackle/backup guard in the future.

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4. Kyron Brown, CB

The Jets have been searching for any semblance of promise surrounding their cornerback depth chart this summer and they saw flashes of that with undrafted rookie Kyron Brown.

Brown was a two-year starter at Akron earning second-team All-MAC honors in his final collegiate season. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Brown is a big-bodied, physical corner who could fit well in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ unit in the future.

Many expected this spot to go to fellow preseason standout Alex Brown but it’s clear that the Jets held the other Brown in higher regard. With a severe lack of depth at the position, don’t be surprised to see Brown find his way to the active roster at some point.

Next: Ian Bunting and Greg Dortch

5. Ian Bunting, TE

Another unfamiliar face to Jets fans is tight end Ian Bunting who spent this summer in camp with the Chicago Bears. Bunting didn’t produce much in college hauling in only 29 catches for 195 yards and no touchdowns during his three seasons at Michigan and one year at California.

However, at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, the man is a physical specimen.

Bunting was primarily used as an in-line blocker while in college and could be asked to develop into a similar type of player in the pros. The Jets clearly like his physical upside and feel that he could be a valuable role player in the future.

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6. Greg Dortch, WR/PR

The preseason legend himself Greg Dortch was initially named to the 53-man roster before the Jets claimed New England Patriots draft pick Braxton Berrios off waivers, thus ending his short stint on the active roster.

However, the undersized but electric Dortch could still carve out a role with the Jets.

For the time being, Berrios has seemingly taken Dortch’s role of punt returner and backup slot receiver. But if the Miami product struggles, Dortch would likely be the first option to replace him.

It’s unlikely he’s ever looked at as a true starting receiver, but Dortch’s special teams capabilities and exciting playmaking tendencies could help him forge a career in the NFL.

Next: Luke Falk and Valentine Holmes

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 29: Luke Falk #8 of the New York Jets rolls out in front of Keegan Ridgeway #64 of Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Jets (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

7. Luke Falk, QB

For the first time in quite a while, the Jets didn’t have to look forward to another dreaded quarterback battle in the preseason. At least, that was true for the starting job.

Former New York Giants third-round pick Davis Webb and second-year sixth-round pick Luke Falk battled it out this summer to see who would secure the third-string quarterback job behind Sam Darnold and Trevor Siemian.

Despite entering camp as the fourth-string, Falk usurped Webb on the depth chart due partially to his own success and partially to Webb’s shortcomings. He’ll purely be an insurance policy and the hope is that Gang Green won’t see him at any point this year.

But perhaps he could develop into a cheap backup option down the line.

8. Valentine Holmes, RB

The aforementioned Valentine Holmes will be the Jets “International Pathways” player and hold down the assigned 11th practice squad spot.

Holmes obviously looked raw in the preseason but showed off the athleticism and physicality that made him a standout in Australia’s National Rugby League. He also impressed with his soft hands and ability to make plays after the catch.

The 24-year-old will likely spend the entire season developing on the practice squad while learning the nuances of the sport. But look for him to make another run at securing a roster spot come next summer.

Next: Jamey Mosley and Jeff Smith

TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Jamey Mosley #16 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the second half of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. New York Jets (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

9. Jamey Mosley, LB

Perhaps the most surprising addition to the Jets practice squad came in the form of former Alabama linebacker Jamey Mosley.

Mosley, the brother of new Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, played sparingly during his four years with the Crimson Tide only playing in 12 games and totaling just 18 tackles and one sack.

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The 23-year-old wasn’t much of a contributor on special teams in college or in the preseason but the Jets likely feel that he has the athleticism needed to fill a hybrid edge defender/off-ball linebacker role in the NFL.

10. Jeff Smith, WR

The final addition to the Jets practice squad was speedy receiver Jeff Smith. Smith missed most of the preseason nursing a sore hamstring but was quietly emerging as a training camp standout before his injury.

Originally committed to Boston College as a quarterback, the dynamic Smith played all around the gridiron with the Eagles playing everywhere from quarterback to running back to eventually wide receiver.

Smith was clocked running a 4.34 40-yard dash at his pro day and his other athletic drills were impressive as well. The 22-year-old could benefit from more time on the practice squad honing his craft and better learning the position.

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But Smith could be a valuable special teamer with the potential to develop into a dangerous offensive weapon.

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