NY Jets Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: Live analysis for every 2024 UDFA signing
By Justin Fried
The 2024 NFL Draft has (almost) officially come to an end. The NY Jets made a total of seven selections including a number of high-profile prospects, some potential mid-round steals, and one Mr. Irrelevant pick.
Now, is when the fun starts, however. The Jets still have just a little over 70 players under contract, meaning that there's plenty of room for the team to add undrafted free agents over the coming hours/days.
Consider this your premier undrafted free-agent tracker. We will be providing live updates and up-to-the-minute analysis of every undrafted signing the Jets make this weekend. You aren't going to find a better tracker out there.
The Jets have found considerable success with undrafted free agents in the past. Players like Bryce Huff and Tony Adams have been able to carve out important roles as defensive standouts after initially entering the league as undrafted free agents.
Just last year, the Jets found a pair of potential undrafted gems in Xavier Gipson and Jason Brownlee, who both made the 53-man roster. Gipson even won the Jets their Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills.
There are bound to be some undrafted gems in this year's rookie class as well. But who will it be? Which rookies have the best chance to make the Jets' roster?
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.
*This article will be updated regularly with Jets UDFA news*
List of NY Jets undrafted free agent signings
- Jarius Monroe, CB/S, Tulane
A former standout at FCS Nicholls State, Jarius Monroe transferred to Tulane in 2022 and started 19 games over the last two seasons. At 6-foot, 201 pounds, Monroe showcased excellent ball skills in college, racking up six interceptions between 2022 and 2023.
His 4.64 40 time was likely a big sticking point for teams, but Monroe is an experienced defensive back who could benefit from a move to safety at the next level.
- Lincoln Sefcik, TE, South Alabama
The Jets have added another tight end to their roster in South Alabama's Lincoln Sefcik. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds, Sefcik probably projects best as more of an H-back or even a fullback at the NFL level.
Sefcik had modest production at South Alabama, finishing his college career with 62 receptions for 494 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
An absolutely massive signing for the Jets, Leonard Taylor III was arguably the top player available in undrafted free agency. A former five-star recruit, Taylor was seen as an early Day 3 prospect by most because of his high ceiling.
Still at just 21 years old, Taylor is bursting with untapped potential even if he fell short of expectations in three years on the field at Miami. This is a huge get for the Jets. Taylor has a real chance to make the 53-man roster, even in a loaded defensive line room.
- Tre Jenkins, S, San Jose State
Tre Jenkins finished his college career as San Jose State's all-time leader in games played with 59. At 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, Jenkins projects best as a box safety who has a chance to move to linebacker in Robert Saleh's scheme, although he'd be a bit undersized.
Jenkins was a productive player in college who could find a role on special teams with the Jets. He's a back-of-the-roster backup to Chuck Clark at strong safety.
- Jimmy Ciarlo, LB, Army
A local guy product from Ringwood, NJ, Jimmy Ciarlo is an undersized linebacker at just 6-foot, 229 pounds, but he tested well at his pro day, recording an excellent 8.82 RAS.
Ciarlo started two seasons for the Black Knights and was named a team captain for his senior year. His 34 reps on the bench press at his pro day would've been tied for the second most out of all participants at this year's NFL Combine.
- Shyheim Battle, S, NC State
Another undrafted safety signing for the Jets, Shyheim Battle is a former cornerback who made the switch to safety at NC State, starting a whopping 41 games over four years for the Wolfpack.
Battle ran a lowly 4.69 40-yard dash at his pro day, meaning he likely won't be moving back to cornerback any time soon. Weirdly, he's the second undrafted safety named "Shyheim" the Jets have signed since 2020, the other being current Tennessee Titans safety Shyheim Carter.
- Braiden McGregor, DE, Michigan
Probably the second most notable undrafted signing for the Jets so far, Braiden McGregor is a former four-star recruit who was a starter for the national champion Michigan Wolverines last year.
At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, McGregor has excellent size for the position and wins with his quick first step and long strides. McGregor also has plenty of experience on special teams, giving him a very real chance to crack the 53-man roster. Most expected him to be a Day 3 pick.
- Brady Latham, OG, Arkansas
The first offensive lineman undrafted free agent signing for the Jets is Brady Latham, an experienced guard who started 47 games over four years at Arkansas. Latham stands at 6-foot-5, 304 pounds, and was projected by some to be a Day 3 pick.
The Oklahoma native is a technically sound interior offensive line prospect who some believe could transition to center in the NFL. He was one of the more highly-touted undrafted offensive linemen, so this is a pretty good pickup for the Jets.
- Jeremy Lewis, LB, East Carolina
A former tight end, Jeremy Lewis spent the first two years of his career at East Carolina on the offensive side of the ball before moving to linebacker in 2021. He quickly found a home on defense, starting 34 games over the next three seasons.
At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Lewis is an undersized linebacker (surprise) whose 40 time was underwhelming, but he tested well in the vertical and broad jump drills. The Jets are loading up on potential special-teams players on defense in undrafted free agency.
- Tyler Harrell, WR, Miami
The Jets found success with undrafted wide receivers last year and are hoping to recapture that magic this year. Miami's Tyler Harrell stands out for one very obvious reason: speed.
Harrell ran a blazing 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day which would have been one of the fastest times in Combine history. A 6-foot, 193 pounds, Harrell struggled with injuries in college and finished his career with just 26 catches in 32 games across stints at Louisville, Alabama, and Miami.
You can't teach speed, though, and Harrell is one of the fastest players in his class. The Jets are hoping to replicate his 2021 season when Harrell finished with 18 catches for 523 yards and six touchdowns at Louisville.
- Marshel Martin, TE, Sacramento State
At just 6-foot-1, 222 pounds, Marshel Martin is an incredibly undersized tight end prospect who might as well be a wide receiver. Martin ran a blazing 4.51 40-yard dash which ranks in the 98th percentile of all tight ends to enter the NFL since 1987.
Martin was a standout All-American at FCS Sacramento State who entered college as a running back. He's an impressive YAC receiver with excellent athleticism, but a move to wide receiver or even back to running back is probably in order unless he puts on some weight.
- Jackson Sirmon, LB, California
Another undersized but experienced linebacker, Jackson Sirmon appeared in over 50 career games between Washington and California. At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Sirmon has the size of a prototypical Robert Saleh linebacker.
He's another guy who will likely have to excel on special teams to earn a roster spot. Sirmon actually practiced as a long snapper as well at California's pro day, so he could add a little value as a backup to Thomas Hennessy.
- Shemar Bartholomew, CB, Georgia Southern
The Jets sign another undrafted cornerback in the form of Georgia Southern's Shemar Bartholomew. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Bartholomew ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at his pro day, showcasing his impressive straight-line speed.
Bartholomew spent five seasons at FCS Northwestern State before transferring to Georgia Southern in 2023, where he earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors. While his speed testing was impressive, Bartholomew's agility numbers were well below average.
- Tyreek Johnson, DE/DT, South Carolina
A true tweener, Tyreek Johnson played both defensive end and defensive tackle at South Carolina, and he has the potential to fill a similar role with the Jets. Johnson stands at 6-foot-3, 283 pounds, making him an intriguing player in the mold of someone like now ex-Jet John Franklin-Myers.
Johnson's early career at South Carolina was derailed by knee injuries, but he battled his way back to establish himself as a key part of the Gamecocks' defense. He's an excellent athlete for his size as well, posting a 9.44 RAS at his pro day.
- Al Blades Jr., CB, Duke
A former three-star recruit, Al Blades Jr. spent four years at Miami before transferring to Duke in 2022. Blades' father (Al Blades Sr.), uncle (Brian Blades), and cousin (H.B. Blades) all played in the NFL.
At 6-foot, 194 pounds, Blades has excellent length and plenty of experience at high-level Division-I programs. His lack of long speed could be an issue at the NFL level, but he has impressive physical traits and an NFL bloodline that make him an intriguing developmental cornerback prospect.
- Eric Watts, DL, Connecticut
The Jets are reportedly giving Connecticut defensive lineman Eric Watts a whopping $245,000 in guarantees, among the highest of all UDFAs this year. It's easy to see why.
Watts was a projected Day 3 pick who has freakish athletic traits and a high pass-rush upside At 6-foot-5, 276 pounds, Watts is likely viewed as a potential John Franklin-Myers replacement if all goes according to plan.
The Jets have now signed three high-profile undrafted defensive linemen. The battle for roster spots between Watts, Leonard Taylor III, and Braiden McGregor will be a fun one.
- Marcus Riley, WR, Florida A&M
A standout HBCU wide receiver, Marcus Riley helped lead Florida A&M to its first Southwestern Athletic Conference and Celebration Bowl championships in program history this past season.
Riley is undersized at 5-foot-10, 167 pounds, and is likely more of a slot receiver at the NFL level. While he has average athletic traits, Riley was also an asset in the return game at Florida A&M, which could be his path to an NFL roster.
- Willie Tyler, OT, Louisville
At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, Willie Tyler has excellent size and length for the offensive tackle position, although his 3.26 RAS may be troublesome for him at the NFL level.
Tyler started 14 games at left tackle for Louisville last year, earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. He previously had stints at Texas, Louisiana-Monroe, and Rutgers before transferring to Louisville for his senior season.
- Peewee Jarrett, QB, West Florida
The Jets have their undrafted quarterback! Byron "Peewee" Jarrett spent two years in community college before transferring to Division-II West Florida where he'd go on to put together a pair of very impressive seasons.
Jarrett became the first UWF football player to record over 5,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in 2022 and 2023. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Jarrett has excellent size for the position and offers dual-threat ability. He's a valuable camp arm with Jordan Travis still working his way back from injury.
- Jett Johnson, LB, Mississippi State
The Jets brought in Jett Johnson's linebacker teammate, Nathaniel Watson, for a top-30 visit, but with Watson getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns, New York went for his ultra-productive college teammate.
Johnson led the SEC in tackles in 2022 and finished second (behind Watson) in 2023. At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, Johnson is a well-built linebacker with underwhelming athleticism, but he has a chance to carve out a role as a backup MIKE linebacker if he impresses on special teams.
- Myles Jones, CB, Duke
Myles Jones is the second Duke cornerback to sign an undrafted deal with the Jets after Al Blades Jr. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Jones has outstanding size and length for the cornerback position.
Injuries have derailed Jones' career, as he's appeared in just seven combined games over the last three years. He's also already 25 years old, having spent seven years in college between Texas A&M and Duke. But you can't teach size — the Jets are taking a chance on his upside.