NY Jets Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: Live analysis for every 2023 UDFA signing

The 2023 NFL Draft has officially come to an end. The NY Jets made quite a few surprising selections, landed some potential mid/late-round steals, and, most importantly, bolstered a roster that has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations this season.

Now, is when the fun starts, however. The Jets made a total of seven selections in this year's draft, but they will be adding more rookies to their roster this weekend.

With roughly 70 players currently under contract, the Jets have quite a few roster spots to fill before rookie minicamp begins next month. Many of those spots will be filled by undrafted free agents.

Undrafted free agency is an often overlooked aspect of the NFL Draft process, but it's one that has produced quite a few notable players over the years. Just one look at the Jets' roster provides proof of that.

The likes of Bryce Huff, Zonovan Knight, and Tony Adams have signed with the Jets as undrafted free agents in recent years, only to carve out roles on the roster.

NFL history is full of former undrafted free agents who became long-term starters, Pro Bowlers, and, in some cases, even Hall of Famers. The likes of Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, James Harrison, Wes Welker, Antonio Gates, and Tony Romo all began their NFL journeys as undrafted rookies.

These are the true diamonds in the rough — the overlooked guys with chips on their shoulders. And we will be keeping track of every undrafted signing the Jets make.

Be sure to check back in with this undrafted tracker to keep up to date with every Jets undrafted addition. A complete analysis of the Jets' undrafted free-agent signings can be found below.

List of NY Jets undrafted free agent signings

• Claudin Cherelus, LB, Alcorn State

A two-year starter at Alcorn State, Claudin Cherelus is a former safety (surprise!) who stands at 6-foot-1, 226 pounds. Cherelus is another undersized safety-to-linebacker convert and one of the top HBCU prospects in this year's draft.

Cherelus posted an excellent 4.50 40-yard dash time at his pro day but received a very low RAS score due to his lack of size and poor agility numbers.

• Maalik Hall, LB, Southeastern Oklahoma

The second Jets undrafted signing and the second linebacker the team has added. Maalik Hall starred at Division II Southeastern Oklahoma as an undersized but speedy linebacker.

Hall ran a blazing 4.42 40-yard dash at his pro day and posted elite vertical and broad jump numbers. His agility scores were subpar, but from a pure speed/explosion standpoint, there weren't many better linebackers in this draft.

• Caleb Johnson, LB, Miami

That's three undrafted free-agent signings for the Jets and three undersized/speedy linebackers. The Jets clearly have a type.

Miami's Caleb Johnson is a UCLA transfer who stands at just 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, but he posted an electric 4.40 40-yard dash time at his pro day. With ample special-teams experience, Johnson has a chance to stick on the 53-man roster.

• Travis Dye, RB, USC

The most notable Jets undrafted signing so far, Travis Dye was a four-year standout at Oregon before transferring to USC for his final year of eligibility in 2022.

Dye is undersized at 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, and ran a disappointing 4.78 40-yard dash, but he rushed for nearly 4,000 yards in college and has kick return experience. He'll hope to earn a spot on the practice squad in a crowded Jets backfield.

• E.J. Jenkins, WR/TE, Georgia Tech

A former South Carolina recruit, E.J. Jenkins primarily played wide receiver at Georgia Tech but has experience playing both receiver and tight end. It's likely he will play the latter at the NFL level.

Jenkins stands at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, and posted an excellent 4.59 40-yard dash at his pro day. Basically, he's Zack Kuntz lite.

• Kahlef Hailassie, CB, Western Kentucky

A two-year starter at Western Kentucky, Kahlef Hailassie is a former Oregon recruit who spent two years at the JUCO level before signing on with Western Kentucky in 2021.

Hailassie has an impressive wingspan and, at 6-foot, 193 pounds, has been lauded for his press ability. He will look to stick in a deep and talented Jets cornerback room.

• Jason Brownlee, WR, Southern Miss

Probably the most high-profile undrafted signing for the Jets so far, Jason Brownlee led Southern Miss in receiving in each of the last three seasons, including an 891-yard campaign in 2022 that saw him named first-team All-C-USA.

At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Brownlee has good length and ball skills and could thrive as a physical jump-ball wide receiver in the NFL. He's a developmental X receiver with red-zone potential.

• Xavier Gipson, WR, Stephen F. Austin

The Jets brought Xavier Gipson in for a top-30 visit earlier this month. Now, they sign him as an undrafted free agent.

Gipson was a four-year starter at FCS Stephen F. Austin with over 4,300 career receiving yards. At 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, Gipson ran a blazing 4.40 40-yard dash and projects best as an explosive slot receiver.

• T.J. Luther, WR, Gardner-Webb

The Jets reportedly paid top dollar to sign former Gardner-Webb wide receiver T.J. Luther, handing him an undrafted deal with a "hefty guaranteed base salary."

Luther shined as a standout wide receiver and return man at FCS Gardner-Webb. With 4.45 speed and a 6-foot frame, Luther has a chance to make the 53-man roster or practice squad due to his special-teams ability.

• Marquis Waters, S, Texas Tech

The Jets sign their first undrafted safety. Texas Tech's Marquis Waters is a traditional downhill box safety who stands at 6-foot, 209 pounds.

Waters started 35 games over four years at Duke before transferring to Texas Tech for his final two years of eligibility. Nicknamed "Mud," Waters earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022.

• Deslin Alexandre, DE, Pittsburgh

A three-year starter and two-year team captain at Pittsburgh, Deslin Alexandre is a big-bodied, powerful defensive end who stands at 6-foot-3, 264 pounds.

Alexander is a below-average athlete and an unrefined pass rusher, but he's been described as a "grinder with outstanding smarts" by The Athletic's Dane Brugler. He joins Carter Warren and Israel Abanikanda as Pittsburgh rookies on the Jets' roster.

• Trey Dean III, S, Florida

Another notable Jets undrafted free-agent signing, Florida's Trey Dean III was seen as a likely Day 3 pick by many analysts. Dean is a former cornerback with great size at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds.

He started 40 of 62 career games at a prominent SEC program, although he never quite reached his potential in Gainesville. Dean's subpar testing numbers are why he went undrafted, but the Jets are getting a versatile, big-bodied safety with a background as a cornerback.

• Brent Laing, OT/OG, Minnesota-Duluth

A three-year starter at Minnesota-Duluth, Brent Laing was a two-time Division II All-American who started three years at right tackle for the Bulldogs. Laing had Division I offers ahead of his senior season but returned to Minnesota-Duluth because he wanted to be a team captain.

At 6-foot-4, 307 pounds, Laing is a below-average athlete who will probably transition to guard in the NFL. Per Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, Laing "plays with a nasty attitude and looks to hit as many defenders as possible on every snap."

• Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham*

A local Fordham product, Tim DeMorat was a five-year starter for the Rams, earning FCS first-team All-American honors as a senior in 2022.

DeMorat has a live arm, and he put up monster numbers in 2022, leading the FCS with 4,891 yards and 56 touchdowns. He joins a quarterback room that features Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Chris Streveler.

*UPDATE: DeMorat is attending the Jets' rookie minicamp. He did not sign a UDFA contract.

• Derrick Langford, CB, Washington State

A two-year starter at Wahington State, Derrick Langford is a tall, physical cornerback who stands at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. Langford is a JUCO product who developed into a quality starter for the Cougars.

His special-teams experience will be key as he looks to crack a deep and talented Jets' cornerback room.

• Caleb Tannor, EDGE/LB, Nebraska

At 6-foot-2, 237 pounds, Caleb Tannor is an edge rusher in a linebacker/safety body. Tannor posted disappointing testing numbers, but he's considered to be an undersized-but-athletic edge rusher who might transition to linebacker in the NFL.

The former four-star recruit played five seasons at Nebraska and was named a team captain for his senior season. It'll be interesting to see where the Jets list him on the depth chart.