NY Jets were interested in signing BYU WR Dax Milne as a UDFA

The NY Jets made perhaps the biggest decision in franchise history when they selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. But as it turns out, Wilson wasn’t the only BYU player they were interested in.

Per a report from uSTADIUM, the Jets were one of multiple teams interested in signing former BYU wide receiver Dax Milne as an undrafted free agent, before he was selected by the Washington Football Team with the penultimate pick in the draft.

Milne was Wilson’s favorite target at BYU and the two had plenty of already-established chemistry. If Milne did go undrafted, it would’ve been easy to see him choose to join his former college teammate in New York.

Unfortunately, Washington was able to secure the talented wide receiver before any other team had a chance to sign him.

The NY Jets were interested in a Zach Wilson/Dax Milne reunion

The Jets bolstered their wide receiver corps in a big way this offseason signing both Corey Davis and Keelan Cole in free agency before adding Elijah Moore (a near-consensus first-round prospect) with the 34th overall pick in the draft.

Davis, Cole, and Moore will join the likes of Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder in a revamped wide receiver unit. Others such as Vyncint Smith, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith, and Lawrence Cager will all compete for depth spots.

It’s a crowded depth chart — one that wouldn’t have been easy for Milne to crack. But his experience with Wilson would have almost assuredly secured him a spot on the practice squad.

Milne was one of the greatest beneficiaries of Wilson’s breakout 2020 season as the 21-year-old hauled in a team-leading 70 catches for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns, all in just 12 games.

The Wilson/Milne connection was one of the highlights of BYU’s season and made for one of the better wide receiver duos in the country. However, their time together looks to have come to an end — at least for now.

The Jets did manage to add one of Wilson’s former teammates at BYU as an undrafted free agent, guard Tristen Hoge. Hoge was a three-year starter at BYU and helped anchor one of college football’s best offensive lines.

The Jets didn’t add Wilson’s favorite target in Milne, but they at least managed to sign another one of his former teammates on offense.

Perhaps if Washington cuts Milne or signs him to their practice squad the Jets could eventually come calling. But for now, the two former teammates will be just that — former teammates.