© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
Four Impactful Skill Players on One-Year Free Agent Deals with AFC East Teams
They are poised to make an impact with their new teams, potentially playing key roles during the 2023 National Football League season.
Every AFC East team, including the New York Jets, agreed to a one-year contract with at least one skill position player during the NFL free agency period. These low-profile signings could pay high yields this fall.
Jets Country has identified one player from each of the four AFC East members and subsequently featured that quartet below.
All four free-agent signees are pass-catchers (3 WR, 1 TE) and three of the four previously competed forAFC East teams prior to landing in their new homes.
Buffalo Bills
WR Trent Sherfield (Dolphins)
Upstaged by speed demons Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Sherfield was a key piece in Mike McDaniel's potent offense last year.
Serving as WR3 during his lone season in Miami, the 6-foot-1 Sherfield gained 417 yards on 30 receptions. It was the first season during which he was targeted more than 30 times in five years as a pro.
In addition to potentially becoming a consistent producer in the pass game, Sherfield will automatically earn snaps due to his blocking ability. Pro Football Focus awarded the former Vanderbilt product with the highest blocking grade of all NFL receivers in 2022.
"I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Trent Sherfield so far," said Bills' quarterback Josh Allen during OTAs. "He works extremely hard."
The Bills may find Sherfield to be most valuable while covering kicks an punts. He has played at least 183 special teams snaps each of the past four years. The deceptively-fast Sherfield has performed at a high level as a gunner. Since going undrafted in 2018, the 27-year old has totaled 25 tackles and six fumble recoveries.
WR Trent Sherfield turns upfield in a 2022 game against the Browns
© JIM RASSOL/THE PALM BEACH POST
Miami Dolphins
WR/RS Braxton Berrios (Jets)
The former Miami Hurricane is back in South Florida after being released by the Jets in March. The Dolphins pounced on Berrios, signing him exactly seven days after he hit market.
Miami lost Sherfield to Buffalo and Berrios will likely compete with former Jet Chosen Anderson to fill that WR3 role.
"I'm down to do whatever whenever and I've always been that way and maybe, you know, if they [Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle] take the top off, I'll work across the middle or I'll work outside," said Berrios after signing with the Dolphins in March.
Although he's shown flashes of brilliance, the 5-foot-9 Berrios never totaled more than 431 receiving yards in any of his four seasons with Gang Green. He was deployed only as a part-time weapon for the Green & White, playing less than 30 percent of snaps in three of four years.
Regardless of how he fits into Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme, Berrios brings unquestionable value as a punt and kick returner. He boasts a 24.9 career kick return average and also accounts for 11.4 yards per punt return. In 2021, Berrios earned All-Pro First Team honors for his 30.4 KOR average.
"I think that I've been one of the best in the league at it [returning kicks] and obviously want to get back to that top spot across the board at it," said Berrios.
When the Dolphins signed Berrios, Tyreek Hill quote-tweeted the team's original post and added, "let’s goooo wes welker 2.0 [emoji]." Welker, the former Patriots' pass-catcher, is now the wide receivers coach for the Fins.
New England Patriots
TE Mike Gesicki (Dolphins)
The wide receiver disguised as a tight end never seemed to endear himself to offensive wonderboy Mike McDaniel. After back-to-back 700-yard receiving seasons, Gesicki's snap count dropped below the 50 percent mark in his only season in McDaniel's scheme.
Now, he heads to New England where he should be a welcome addition for quarterback Mac Jones.
"I have a little bit of history playing against this organization for the last five years," said Gesicki at Pats' OTAs. "I have a ton of respect for the way that things are run around here and the tradition."
Don't expect much from Gesicki as a run blocker or pass protector, but the 6-foot-6 target presents a mis-match for most defenses in the passing game.
Gesicki, who was taken at No. 42 overall by Miami in the 2018 NFL Draft, has averaged 11.3 yards per reception over his career. He has played in every game the past two years and scored at least five touchdowns in three of the last four seasons.
The Penn State product has accounted for three 50+ catch campaigns. The New Jersey-born Gesicki has made 231 catches for 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns over 81 career appearances.
TE Mike Gesicki in a 2022 NFL Wildcard Game at Buffalo
© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets
WR Mecole Hardman (Chiefs)
A lingering abdominal injury derailed Hardman's contract year in Kansas City, but the former second-round draft pick was still a threat during his limited time on the field.
Hardman scored six touchdowns (4 rec, 2 rush) in eight regular season games (5 starts) last fall. He went on injured reserve after missing the Chiefs’ Week 10 win over Jacksonville and he did not return to game action until the AFC Championship Game on January 29.
By inking Hardman in free agency, the Jets acquired a speedy third receiver with proven kick return ability and big-game experience (10 career playoff appearances).
"Didn’t think we’d be able to get a guy like Mecole Hardman," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh in late March. "So, when he was sitting there, and just the amount of speed and the different things that he does, it was just a no-brainer for Joe [Douglas], for us to add him."
Putting his 2022 campaign aside, Hardman was a consistent performer for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Over his first three years as a pro, the 5-foot-10 slot receiver averaged 597 receiving yards and 30 first downs per season.
Hardman, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33s at the 2019 NFL Combine, earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie kick returner. In 2019, the former Georgia Bulldog totaled 1,426 all-purpose yards with 871 of those yards coming on returns.
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