NY Jets: 20 interesting players to target on the waiver wire

The NY Jets have released their initial 53-man roster for the 2021 season. Roster cut day has come and passed, and we now have a better understanding of who will be on the roster come Week 1.

But while teams have made their initial cuts to reach the 53-player limit, their work is far from over. That's especially true for the Jets who are expected to make a number of moves over the next 24-48 hours.

The Jets are expected to place a handful of players on the short-term injured reserve which will free up additional roster spots. Players like Jarrad Davis, Chuma Edoga, Conor McDermott, and Jabari Zuniga seem destined for the IR.

As a result, the Jets will regain some roster flexibility that they didn't have with injured players clogging up their roster.

Those extra roster spots could be filled with recently-released players such as Ryan Griffin, Ronald Blair, Noah Dawkins, or Sharrod Neasman who might be brought back in the near future.

Or we could see the Jets turn to the waiver wire to add a few players from other teams. Expect the Jets to be very active on the waiver wire this year with quite a few intriguing targets on the market.

The Jets have the advantage of being No. 2 on the waiver order too, behind just the Jacksonville Jaguars. Keep in mind, the NFL's waiver wire doesn't function like fantasy football waiver wires.

The Jets could make as many claims as they want and still remain at the same spot in the order. That advantage should serve them well as they scour the waiver wire for potential diamonds in the rough.

But which players could the Jets target? We take a brief look at 20 different names to keep an eye on.

*NOTE: This list will include both players who were released or waived. We won't only be discussing players to claim off waivers*

20. NY Jets target: Isaiah Johnson, CB

A fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Isaiah Johnson spent the first two years of his career developing with the Raiders before being waived on Tuesday.

Johnson is an excellent athlete who stands at 6-foot-2, but inconsistencies and injuries cut his time in Las Vegas short. The Jets have a host of young cornerbacks and could add another one with a high ceiling in Johnson.

19. NY Jets target: David Sills, WR

The Jets got an up-close-and-personal look at David Sills when they faced the NY Giants in the first preseason game of the year. Sills was one of the stars of the preseason for the Giants and they hope that he could sneak through waivers to land on their practice squad.

However, considering he was the subject of trade rumors before cut day, that might not happen. The Jets already have a logjam at the wide receiver position, but Sills would be an intriguing addition regardless.

18. NY Jets target: Matt Skura, C

The Jets could use additional interior offensive line depth, especially following the losses of Alex Lewis and Cameron Clark. Matt Skura is coming off a disastrous year in Baltimore, but he has starting experience.

The Miami Dolphins signed him this offseason and the expectation was that he would be their starting center. A poor showing this summer ultimately led to his release, but the Jets could use a backup center and Skura could fill that role.

17. NY Jets target: Thomas Graham Jr., CB

A sixth-round pick in this year's draft, Thomas Graham Jr. was a surprise cut as the Chicago Bears are hoping he passes through waivers so that they could add him to their practice squad.

But with the Jets looking to stack up on as much young cornerback depth as they can, Graham could be an interesting target.

16. NY Jets target: Joseph Jones, LB

Joseph Jones is a veteran linebacker who brings plenty of special-teams experience to the table. He's played in over 60 percent of his team's special-teams snaps over the last three years including over 75 percent in two of those seasons.

The Jets could use additional linebacker depth, and if they're looking for more of a special-teamer, they could opt to bring in Jones instead of re-signing Noah Dawkins.

15. NY Jets target: Josh Bynes, LB

Another veteran linebacker, Josh Bynes provides a bit more experience having started 63 games over the course of his 10-year career including all 16 with the Cincinnati Bengals last year.

Much like Jones, Bynes would give the Jets additional linebacker depth which the team sorely needs at the moment. It's worth noting that Bynes began his career with the Baltimore Ravens during Joe Douglas' tenure with the organization.

14. NY Jets target: Curtis Weaver, DE

Curtis Weaver is yet to play in the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Weaver was released by Miami in his rookie season (due to an injury) and stashed on the Cleveland Browns' injured reserve.

However, the Browns cut him on Tuesday meaning that 31 other teams will have a chance to snag the once-promising young Boise State product. The Jets could use another pass rusher and Weaver is young with upside.

13. NY Jets target: Dakota Dozier, OG

The Jets could look to bring back a familiar face in the form of fourth-round pick Dakota Dozier. Dozier actually started all 16 games with the Minnesota Vikings last season, but that couldn't save him a roster spot a year later.

Dozier would give the Jets added interior offensive line depth — something the team is desperately in need of. Don't rule out a reunion at some point over the next few days.

12. NY Jets target: Karl Joseph, S

The Jets currently have two healthy safeties on their active roster with Ashtyn Davis expected to miss at least Week 1. With that in mind, Karl Joseph is a player they could consider adding.

A former first-round pick, Joseph's physical style makes him an ideal box safety — something the Jets don't really have on their roster. And he's big and physical enough to even play some sub-linebacker if the Jets decided to go in that direction.

11. NY Jets target: Jacob Hollister, TE

One of the more accomplished players let go on Tuesday, Jacob Hollister has hauled in 66 catches over the last two years with the Seattle Seahawks and was a surprise cut by the Buffalo Bills.

Hollister would be an ideal target for a Jets team with just one true tight end on their active roster. That said, there's a good chance that Buffalo brings him back once a few roster moves are made.

10. NY Jets target: Christian Miller, DE

A fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Christian Miller played in four games as a rookie and showed some flashes as a pass rusher, including a two-sack performance in Week 3.

But Miller opted out of the 2020 season and returned in 2021 buried on the depth chart. He could be worth a flier, though, as a young pass rusher who has flashed in the past.

9. NY Jets target: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR

Another former fourth-round pick, Antonio Gandy-Golden was selected by the Washington Football Team early on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He barely saw the field as a rookie, but his physical tools will likely garner him plenty of attention on the waiver wire. Standing at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Gandy-Golden would be an intriguing addition to the Jets' wide receiver room, even if it's already a bit crowded.

8. NY Jets target: Tyrell Crosby, OT

Tyrell Crosby started 11 games for the Detroit Lions at right tackle last season finishing with a Pro Football Focus grade of 64.2 that ranked 54th out of all offensive tackles.

Despite this, he was a surprising release even with him going into only his fourth NFL season. The Lions hoped they could sneak Crosby through waivers, but it's likely a team claims him.

The Jets could use extra offensive tackle depth and Crosby is the best you're going to find at this stage.

7. NY Jets target: Quincy Williams, LB

The Jets could look to set forth a brotherly reunion if they choose to claim Quinnen Williams' brother, Quincy Williams, off waivers.

A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Williams started eight games as a rookie before injuries tanked his 2020 season. Again, the Jets need linebacker depth and the young Williams would provide just that.

6. NY Jets target: Jordan Matthews, TE

A veteran wide-receiver-turned-tight-end, Jordan Matthews actually worked out with the Jets in late July, but ultimately re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

Matthews spent parts of 2019 and 2020 with the 49ers meaning he has experience with Robert Saleh, Mike LaFleur, and company. He also crossed paths on two occasions with Joe Douglas in Philadelphia.

5. NY Jets target: Michael Jordan, OG

Another recent mid-round offensive lineman with starting experience, Michael Jordan has started 19 games over the last two years sine being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

But with the Bengals eyeing an upgrade, they chose to move on from Jordan this summer. The 23-year-old has experience playing center and guard meaning he could be a valuable addition for the Jets.

4. NY Jets target: Benardrick McKinney, LB

Benardrick McKinney was one of the most surprising releases of the last couple of days as the Dolphins opted to move on from the former Pro Bowl linebacker before he could ever play for the team.

The Jets are reportedly showing interest in McKinney and could make a run at him with the team needing linebacker depth. McKinney's experience would be invaluable in a very unproven linebacker corps.

3. NY Jets target: Tanner Hudson, TE

The Jets will make at least one addition at the tight end position in the near future, and perhaps the most notable name on the market is Tanner Hudson.

Hudson impressed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this summer, but he was ultimately a victim of the numbers game. His athleticism and pass-catching abilities could be a breath of fresh air for a Jets tight end room that doesn't know the meaning of the word "dynamic."

2. NY Jets target: Carson Green, OL

Carson Green was one of the most highly-touted undrafted players this past May with most expecting the former Texas A&M standout to be a mid-Day 3 selection.

Green allowed just one pressure on 44 pass-blocking snaps this summer making the decision to waive him all the more confounding for a Texans team in need of young offensive linemen to develop.

Houston surely hopes to sneak him onto their practice squad, but he's expected to be a hot commodity on the waiver wire. The Jets will be one of the first teams with an opportunity to grab him.

1. NY Jets target: Jimmy Moreland, CB

Jimmy Moreland was one of the most surprising releases of the day as the Washington Football Team opted to move on from a player who played nearly 60 percent of the team's defensive snaps a year ago.

A seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Moreland developed into a regular in Washington's defense serving as their No. 3 cornerback a year ago.

The offseason additions of William Jackson III and Benjamin St-Juste made him expendable, and although Washington would love for him to return on their practice squad, it's highly unlikely he passes through waivers.

Many have already insisted that the Jets should use their first waiver claim on Moreland, and it's very possible that they do just that.