Jets swap out 1 UDFA for another amid start of OTAs

With OTAs picking up, the New York Jets felt they needed an extra offensive lineman on the roster, so they made a roster move.

On Wednesday evening, the Jets signed offensive lineman Courtland Ford, and in a corresponding move, waived linebacker Kendrick Blackshire.

Both players are undrafted free agents, and the Jets brought in Blackshire shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ford has an uphill battle to make New York's final 53-man roster, while Blackshire probably had an even steeper climb before he was released.

Jets sign OL Courtland Ford, waive LB Kendrick Blackshire

Blackshire, one of 12 undrafted free agents who signed with New York in early May, was attempting to carve out a role for himself in the Jets' linebacker core, but the former Alabama and UTSA standout was unable to break through.

His speed is his best quality, but it wasn't able to make up for his "middling" athleticism. The Jet Press's Justin Fried thought he had a shot to make the roster as a special teams contributor.

"At 6-foot-1, 236 pounds, Blackshire posted a middling 7.69 RAS, although he ran a blazing 4.51 40-yard dash at his pro day. He will compete for a roster spot as a depth linebacker with a chance to carve out a role on special teams."

Justin Fried

The Jets already have some solid contributors on special teams from their linebacker core, including 2025 captain Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Mykal Walker, who stood out down the stretch last season.

Ford, while having slightly less competition than Blackshire did, still may have a tough time making the 53-man roster this summer.

Ahead of him on the depth chart are, of course, Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, but behind the two starting tackles are veterans Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor.

Mitchell has been with the Jets since 2022, when he was a fourth-round draft pick out of Louisiana. Okorafor spent the 2025 season with New York and was re-signed as a free agent in March.

Having already spent a year with the current Jets regime, the two veteran tackles should already be ingratiated with the coaching staff, and are practically locks to make the roster.

Maybe Ford will have a chance to make the Jets' practice squad and continue to develop his game in New York.

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