5 UDFAs with the best chance to make the NY Jets roster

The NY Jets have a pretty impressive recent history of discovering and developing undrafted talent. The likes of Bryce Huff, Tony Adams, and others have managed to not only make the team but also carve out important starting roles.

The Jets are hoping to find similar success with their crop of undrafted players in 2024. The Jets announced that they had signed a whopping 17 undrafted free agents this week, one of their largest UDFA classes in recent memory.

The hope is that at least one or a few of these rookies will impress this summer and find a way to sneak onto the 53-man roster. There are a few players who have a good shot too.

From former highly-touted prospects to potential under-the-radar gems, here's a look at five undrafted players who could make the Jets' roster in 2024.

5. Jimmy Ciarlo, LB, NY Jets

The Jets have a type when it comes to linebackers. Head coach Robert Saleh has proven to favor undersized but athletic linebackers with high athletic testing numbers. Jimmy Ciarlo fits the bill.

A local product from Ringwood, NJ, Ciarlo started two seasons at Army between 2022 and 2023, earning a role as a team captain this past year. He has everything Saleh looks for in a linebacker.

At just 6-foot, 229 pounds, Ciarlo scored an impressive 8.82 RAS at his pro day including a ridiculous 34 reps on the bench press. That would've been tied for the second most out of all participants at this year's NFL Combine.

Ciarlo's athletic profile makes him an ideal special-teams candidate, and if he can find a way to win over special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, there's no reason he can't make the 53-man roster.

4. Brady Latham, OL, NY Jets

The Jets revamped their offensive line this offseason, adding a trio of new starters and a hopeful long-term starting option in first-round pick Olu Fashanu. The team's starting unit and backup tackle depth appear to be set, but the same can't be said about their guard depth.

One undrafted player who could make some waves this summer is Brady Latham. Latham was one of the most experienced offensive line prospects in this year's class, having started almost 50 games over four years at Arkansas.

Some expected Latham to be a Day 3 pick, making it mildly surprising that he went undrafted. The 23-year-old started 46 games at left guard in college and has practiced at all three interior offensive line positions.

Outside of Wes Schweitzer, there isn't another interior offensive lineman on the Jets' roster who's guaranteed a backup role. Latham could push for a roster spot with a strong summer.

3. Braiden McGregor, DE, NY Jets

It's not often a starting player for a National Championship-winning program goes undrafted, but that's exactly what happened to Michigan's Braiden McGregor, a player who many expected would be a Day 3 pick.

McGregor started all 15 games for Michigan in 2023, finishing with 4.5 sacks and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He's far from the most experienced player in this class, but he makes up for it with impressive physical traits.

At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, McGregor has a long, athletic frame and plays with a hot motor. He also has ample experience playing on special teams, which could help him earn a roster spot.

The Jets are searching for young, affordable bodies to fill out the back end of their defensive line room, and McGregor is someone who has a real chance to make the 53-man roster. He would be higher on this list if not for a pair of equally-hyped undrafted defensive linemen the Jets signed.

2. Leonard Taylor III, DT, NY Jets

Leonard Taylor III might be the most highly-touted undrafted free agent to sign with any team this year. A former five-star recruit, Taylor was seen as a possible first-round pick as recently as this winter before his stock plummeted.

Despite his impressive physical traits and obvious upside, Taylor never quite lived up to expectations at Miami. He finished his college career with just six sacks in 31 games over three years.

There were some questions about his motor and his inconsistent tape certainly presented a red flag, but most still expected Taylor would be an early Day 3 pick at worst in this year's draft. No one expected him to go undrafted.

Taylor joins the Jets with much more hype than your typical undrafted player, and while he faces an uphill battle to crack a deep defensive tackle room, his upside is worth taking a chance on.

1. Eric Watts, DL, NY Jets

Despite Taylor's pedigree, there's one player who might have an even better chance to stick around on the Jets' roster, and that's former Connecticut standout Eric Watts.

At 6-foot-5, 274 pounds, Watts was a core part of Connecticut's defense over the last three seasons, racking up nine sacks between 2022 and 2023. Much like Taylor, Watts is just scratching the surface of his potential.

The South Carolina native was seen as an expected Day 3 draft pick with the upside to be a potential long-term starter in the NFL. His age (he turns 24 in October) and lackluster college production likely contributed to his slide.

That said, Watts has the potential to slot into John Franklin-Myers' role as a tweener defensive lineman with interior versatility. That should make him very valuable to a Jets team that lacks many direct replacements for their now-former standout defensive lineman.