NY Jets work out former 5-time Pro Bowl WR, sign viral UFL star

The NY Jets were reportedly busy during the team's off day on Thursday, hosting a number of players on visits and signing a trio of players, including multiple former UFL standouts.

Amongst the players the Jets brought in for a workout was veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Landry last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2022 and most recently took part in Jacksonville Jaguars minicamp this past spring.

The five-time Pro Bowler was brought in for a visit, but there has been no report of his signing to this point. Instead, multiple sources are reporting that the Jets have signed wide receivers Isaiah Winstead and Brandon Smith as well as cornerback Tre Swilling.

Winstead and Smith both spent the past few months playing in the UFL while Swilling, the son of former Defensive Player of the Year Pat Swilling, was waived by the Baltimore Ravens in July.

The NY Jets are revamping their wide receiver room

It shouldn't come as a surprise to see that the Jets are looking to add bodies to their wide receiver room. Mike Williams is still rehabbing his knee injury, Xavier Gipson is currently sidelined with a leg injury, and Allen Lazard missed Wednesday's practice due to "camp soreness," per Robert Saleh.

Winstead has the most interesting story of the Jets' three new additions. The former Eastern Carolina star put together an outstanding senior season that saw him finish with 88 catches and over 1,000 yards in 2022, but a lackluster pro day caused him to go undrafted.

Not only that, Winstead wasn't signed as an undrafted free agent nor did he even receive a rookie minicamp invite. It wasn't until a highlight reel shared by the 6-foot-4, 213-pound wide receiver on social media went viral that teams started to take notice.

Winstead's tweet was shared by the likes of Dez Bryant, Tyler Lockett, Ja Morant, and others, leading to an opportunity and a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. While he wouldn't make the 53-man roster, Winstead would spend most of his rookie season on the 49ers' practice squad.

He joined the UFL's Arlington Renegades in January and finished the season with 12 catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Now, the big-bodied wideout has received another opportunity with the Jets.

Winstead joins the aforementioned Brandon Smith, quarterback Adrian Martinez (the 2024 UFL MVP), and offensive guard Kohl Levao as ex-UFL players to sign with the Jets this offseason.

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