Assessing first 7 additions to Jets' practice squad
On Sunday afternoon, the Jets announced the signing of seven players to their practice squad, with three spots left to fill. While practice rosters are largely fluid and subject to change weekly, let's take a look at how each player fits.
OL Calvin Armstrong
Originally an undrafted free agent signing of the New England Patriots in April, the Jets claimed the mammoth offensive tackle in May. There's raw talent to work with in Armstrong, and a year on the practice squad is likely needed in order for him to make the jump to the active roster.
OL Ben Braden
The twelfth offensive lineman on the roster, Braden appeared in two games at guard for the Jets last season. Given the surplus of talent in front of him, it's unlikely he receives a call-up to the active roster in 2019, but his size and experience will give the starting defensive line convincing looks during the week.
CB Kyron Brown
An odd omission from the initial 53-man roster, Brown was suspiciously held out of the preseason finale. My hunch is that the coaching staff wanted as little film as possible for teams to evaluate Brown, in hopes getting him to the practice squad. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound corner offers tremendous length and ball skills. He could conceivably end up on the Jets' active roster at some point this season.
QB Luke Falk
I figured Falk's preseason play would land him a spot on a 53-man roster, but here we are. Though team opted to go with just two quarterbacks on the active roster, the 24-year-old will still participate in weekly meetings and film study.
LB Jamey Mosley
The younger brother of Jets' starting middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, the one-time Alabama walk-on essentially accomplished the same feat at the next level. While the 23-year-old outside linebacker is still consider a work in progress, the team may be forced to promote him earlier than anticipated to prevent another team poaching the raw talent.
WR Jeff Smith
The Jets elected to go lighter than many expected at the wide receiver position. In fact, their fifth receiver is a new addition, whose primary role is expected to be on special teams -- at least early on. Smith impressed the coaching staff as a rookie free agent with his intangibles, but will need time to blossom on the practice squad before joining the active roster.
RB Valentine Holmes
Holmes, an ex-Australian rugby star, will continue to develop his game on the Jets' practice roster. A star in the National Rugby League, the 24-year-old stepped away from a lucrative, $5 million deal to pursue his NFL dream. He'll actively be involved in meetings and film study. During game week, he'll be tasked with emulating the opposition's leading rusher in practice, in an effort to give the starting defense a realistic simulation of what the can expect to see on game day.
