NY Jets Practice Squad and Waiver Wire Tracker 2025: Live updates and analysis

The New York Jets, along with every other NFL team, trimmed their rosters down to 53 players on Tuesday. But roster cutdown day is really just the beginning. The next couple of days are just as important as the initial deadline.

Over the next 24-48 hours, teams will have the chance to reshape their depth charts through the waiver wire and by filling out their practice squads. The Jets are expected to be active on the waiver wire this year.

Waiver claims must be submitted by noon ET on Wednesday, and with the Jets sitting seventh in the order, they’re in a strong position to scoop up talent that shakes free.

Recent history shows the value of this window, as the Jets have landed impact contributors like Quincy Williams and John Franklin-Myers via the waiver wire in past years. This time around, spots such as wide receiver, tight end, and defensive end stand out as positions the team could target.

Beyond waiver claims, the Jets will also put together a 16-man practice squad, which can include up to six veterans (four or more accrued seasons) and 10 other players. They’ll also likely carry a 17th spot for their International Pathway Program addition, undrafted rookie offensive lineman Leander Wiegand.

This tracker will keep you updated on every Jets move — from waiver claims to practice squad signings to any players lost to other teams. Be sure to check back often as we provide LIVE updates and analysis over the next couple of days. Bookmark this page.

*Last Updated: Aug. 27, 2025 at 2:59 pm ET*

RELATED: NY Jets 53-Man Roster Cut Tracker 2025: Live updates and analysis

NY Jets waiver wire additions

• OT Esa Pole (via Kansas City Chiefs) - SOURCE

The Jets have added some offensive tackle depth via the waiver wire, claiming undrafted rookie Esa Pole after he was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs. We mentioned Pole as a potential target for the Jets earlier this morning.

The 6-foot-7, 319-pound Washington State product had a top-30 visit with the Jets in the pre-draft process before he was signed by the Chiefs. Pole posted an excellent 84.1 PFF pass-block grade this summer, allowing zero pressures on 49 pass-block snaps.

The addition of Pole could be bad news for current backup tackles Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor. Surprise 53-man roster addition, guard Marquis Hayes, could also be on the chopping block.

• TE Jelani Woods (via Indianapolis Colts) - SOURCE

The Jets have claimed former Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods, adding the 6-foot-7, 253-pounder to one of their weakest position groups. Woods has missed the last two seasons due to injury, but has flashed whenever given an opportunity.

The former third-round pick was floated around as a waiver claim option for the Jets after he was let go yesterday. Woods is a capable blocker who hauled in seven catches for 75 yards this preseason.

This is likely bad news for either Jeremy Ruckert or Stone Smartt, as the Jets seem unlikely to carry five tight ends (including Andrew Beck) into the regular season. The Jets land one of the most intriguing players on the waiver wire.

• LB Cam Jones (via Kansas City Chiefs) - SOURCE

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Cam Jones has spent the last two seasons in Kansas City, appearing in all 17 games in both 2023 and 2024. Jones has primarily been a special-teamer, but he's played 80+ defensive snaps in each of his first two years in the NFL.

At 6-foot-2, 227 pounds, Jones started three years at Indian, twice earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Jones will likely be a core part of the Jets' special-teams unit with a chance to develop into a rotational linebacker.

His addition could be the end of the road for Zaire Barnes, who was a surprise member of the initial 53-man roster. Jones' 90.0 special-teams grade in 2024 ranked sixth-best among all NFL players.

Former NY Jets claimed on waivers

• CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Cleveland Browns) - SOURCE

The Jets only had one player claimed off waivers, but it's a notable one. Jarrick Bernard-Converse put together another outstanding preseason this summer and probably deserved not only a 53-man roster spot but a role as the team's regular dime cornerback.

Instead, the Jets opted to try and sneak him through waivers, ultimately paying the price. Bernard-Converse was targeted seven times this preseason, allowing just two catches for 22 yards and finishing with an excellent 82.9 PFF grade.

This is a big loss for the Jets. They will roster multiple defensive backs in 2025 who haven't shown nearly as much as Bernard-Converse.

NY Jets practice squad signings

NY Jets practice squad news and analysis

• SAF Dean Clark - SOURCE

The Jets have been all over Dean Clark since the pre-draft process, when he was one of the team's first top-30 visits. The undrafted rookie out of Fresno State flashed this summer, although he was always a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

The Jets will keep Clark around as young developmental safety depth on their practice squad with a chance for him to earn a larger role in 2026.

• QB Brady Cook - SOURCE

Undrafted rookie Brady Cook impressed the Jets' coaching staff and likely beat out Adrian Martinez for the QB3 job. The Jets didn't feel the need to keep Cook on the 53-man roster, but he could see action this year if Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor misses time.

Taylor is expected to be healthy for Week 1, but his injury history is notable. The Jets will continue to develop Cook with the hope that he can become a long-term piece for this roster, likely as a cheap backup quarterback.

• K Harrison Mevis - SOURCE

It's a little surprising that the Jets have decided to keep Harrison Mevis around on the practice squad, but the former UFL kicker evidently showed enough this summer to convince them.

With Nick Folk pushing 41 and coming off a groin injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely, it makes sense to have Mevis as an emergency option for the time being. The Jets know firsthand the value of having a capable kicker after the disaster that was last season.

Mevis, also known as the "Thiccer Kicker," made 3-of-4 field goals in the preseason, missing from 55 yards out in the team's preseason finale.

• DE Eric Watts - SOURCE

Eric Watts made the Jets' opening day roster as an undrafted rookie out of UConn last summer, but he failed to crack the 53 a year later. Watts was actually the Jets' second-lowest-graded defensive player by PFF this preseason, but his experience helps keep him around.

The 24-year-old recorded just five total pressures and zero sacks on 102 pass-rush snaps last season, but offers value as a big-bodied defensive end who could even kick inside on passing downs.

Watts counts as one of six "veterans" the Jets can sign to their practice squad. The team is allowed to carry up to 10 non-veterans and six veterans (requires 9+ games played in an NFL season).

• OL Kohl Levao - SOURCE

Kohl Levao impressed in the 2024 preseason and spent most of last year on the Jets' practice squad. He mostly ran as a second-team offensive guard this summer, which is why it came as a bit of a surprise that the Jets kept Marquis Hayes — at least temporarily — on the initial 53-man roster.

The former UFL standout is safe for now, but the Jets could do some offensive line shuffling after claiming Esa Pole off waivers. It's possible Hayes could take Levao's place on the practice squad.

• OL Leander Wiegand - SOURCE

The German-born Leander Wiegand was signed by the Jets through the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program this past spring, and now returns to the practice squad as the team's designated IPP player.

Wiegand posted a ridiculous 38 reps on the bench press, which would have been five more than any other player at the NFL Combine. He spent a year at UCF in 2021 before returning to Germany the following year to play in the European League of Football (ELF).

Since Wiegand is an IPP participant, he does not count toward the team’s 16-player practice squad limit. He’s essentially the 17th man on the practice squad.

• CB Jordan Clark - SOURCE

Undrafted rookie cornerback Jordan Clark impressed the Jets this summer, and while he didn’t have many notable standout moments in the preseason, the Notre Dame product reportedly flashed throughout training camp.

At just 5-foot-9, 184 pounds, Clark is likely a slot-exclusive corner at the NFL level, but the Jets clearly saw enough in the 24-year-old to bring him back. He could see time this year if Michael Carter II misses time due to injury, although Malachi Moore and Isaiah Oliver would likely be the top backup nickel corners.

• WR Jamaal Pritchett - SOURCE

The Jets fan-favorite wide receiver/punt returner is back on the practice squad after he was somewhat surprisingly let go as part of final roster cuts. The incumbent Xavier Gipson beat out Jamaal Pritchett for the punt returner job despite the latter's impressive summer.

Pritchett was signed by the Jets as a UDFA out of South Alabama this spring and seemed to have the inside track to a 53-man roster spot, especially after impressing in the final preseason game. Instead, the Jets will keep him around on the practice squad.

• WR Quentin Skinner - SOURCE

The Jets are able to return both of their top undrafted rookie wide receivers from the summer, as Quentin Skinner has been spotted at Jets practice and is expected to be a part of the practice squad.

Skinner was perhaps the Jets’ most exciting undrafted rookie of the preseason. The Kansas product led the Jets with a team-best 114 yards on eight catches, but was unable to earn a spot in a crowded wide receiver room.

The Jets took a chance exposing Skinner to waivers, and it looks like it paid off. He will be kept around as an intriguing developmental size/speed wide receiver with an outside chance to see playing time this year if injuries pile up.

• DT Payton Page - SOURCE

Undrafted rookie Payton Page quietly made an early push for a 53-man roster spot this summer, but the team's acquisitions of Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs ended any hopes he had.

Page was a one-year starter as part of a stacked Clemson defensive line in college and flashed upside as a 3-tech interior pass rusher. He figures to be the first defensive tackle elevated if one of the guys ahead of him goes down with an injury.

Expect Page to see at least some playing time this season, especially with veteran Byron Cowart out for the season with an ankle injury. Cowart was not given a "designation to return" status on his IR transaction.

• LB Aaron "Boog" Smith - SOURCE

Another member of the Jets' 2025 undrafted rookie class, Aaron "Boog" Smith was signed as a UDFA out of South Carolina State — the same school that produced former All-Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard — this spring.

Smith led the MEAC with 92 total tackles (11 for loss) in 2024 and clearly did enough to impress Aaron Glenn and the Jets' defensive coaching staff this summer to earn a practice squad spot.

• LB Jackson Sirmon - SOURCE

Jackson Sirmon returns for his second season on the Jets' practice squad after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of California in 2024. Sirmon once again flashed his developmental upside this summer.

The 25-year-old posted an elite 87.1 PFF grade in the team's preseason finale against the Eagles on Friday and looks the part of an NFL MIKE linebacker. He will likely see playing time if either Jamien Sherwood or Francisco Mauigoa misses time due to injury.