NY Jets news: Breaking down newly-signed safety Sharrod Neasman

The NY Jets have reportedly added a little extra secondary depth in the form of veteran safety Sharrod Neasman.

As reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Jets have signed Neasman who has spent the last five years of his career playing with the Atlanta Falcons.

Notably, that means that he has connections with new Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich who served as Atlanta's linebackers coach from 2015-2019 before taking over as their defensive coordinator midway through the 2020 season.

Neasman will provide extra safety depth to a Jets team that was somewhat lacking in that area.

Sharrod Neasman provides additional safety depth for the NY Jets.

An undrafted free agent in the 2016 NFL Draft, Neasman signed with the Falcons shortly after the draft and spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad, although he did play in three games.

Neasman became a full-time special teamer the subsequent season but actually didn't have his contract picked up at the end of the year.

He briefly signed on with the New Orleans Saints before being cut following the preseason and re-signed with Atlanta later that month.

Neasman served as a valuable special teamer and backup free safety for the Falcons and saw significant playing time on defense in both 2018 and 2020.

The 29-year-old played in nearly 40 percent of defensive snaps in 2018 and returned in 2019 to start his first two career games and played a total of 27 percent of defensive snaps on the year.

Neasman was also Atlanta's most utilized special teamer playing on a team-leading 67 percent of special-teams snaps. He even recorded his first career sack when he wrestled Tom Brady to the ground in a Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A core special teamer and reliable backup free safety — par for the course as to what the Jets are looking for at this stage.

The Jets have placed a renewed focus on special teams this offseason with the addition of players like Justin Hardee and Matt Cole being proof of that. Neasman continues that trend and also gives the team more depth at safety.

It remains to be seen if Sharrod Neasman will actually make the final roster. But his NFL experience and special-teams abilities should allow him to stand out this summer.