NY Jets sign veteran Chris Hogan for extra wide receiver depth

The NY Jets have signed veteran Chris Hogan to add some extra wide receiver depth.

The NY Jets completely revamped their wide receiver corps in the offseason. But eyeing a need for additional depth, the team has reportedly signed veteran wideout Chris Hogan.

As first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jets have signed Hogan — a local New Jersey native and Monmouth product — marking the fourth and final AFC East team that the veteran has played for.

This comes following injuries to both rookie second-round pick Denzel Mims and speedster Vyncint Smith, both of whom could miss valuable practice time.

Mims remains sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered prior to Friday’s practice while Smith sat out of Sunday’s practice with a core muscle injury and has been sent to see a specialist.

That left the team’s starting outside receivers as Breshad Perriman and Jeff Smith. Not exactly an ideal situation for Sam Darnold. Hogan’s signing helps provide extra depth to a wide receiver corps that was in desperate need of it.

An undrafted free agent back in 2011, Hogan bounced around a few practice squads before landing with the Buffalo Bills in 2012. He would spend the first four years of his pro career playing in Western New York before the New England Patriots swooped in.

And it was with the Patriots that Hogan would find his most success. In three years with the Patriots, Hogan would total 107 catches for 1,651 yards and 12 touchdowns while making 28 starts.

New England moved on following the 2018 season and Hogan would sign a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in the 2019 offseason. Unfortunately, his season would be marred by injuries as he played in seven games making just eight catches for 67 yards.

What can Chris Hogan offer the NY Jets at this stage of his career?

The soon-to-be 33-year-old immediately becomes the most experienced receiver on the Jets’ roster, but it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank.

Nonetheless, it’s clear the Jets had to do something. With Mims and Smith sidelined, the wide receiver depth chart consisted of Perriman, Jeff Smith, Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios, Josh Malone, Jehu Chesson, Lawrence Cager, and George Campbell.

There’s little doubt that’s the worst wide receiver group in the NFL.

Hogan will certainly help matters, but the Jets are still in big trouble even if Mims and Smith can return before the regular season.

Darnold will have his work cut out for him as he once again attempts to make the best of an awful situation. But hey, at least his offensive line looks improved.