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2021 New York Jets Draft

New York Jets Draft: Gang Green HOPing to find some diamonds in the rough on day 3

After going offense with their first four picks the New York Jets went defense with their final six. Day three of the draft mostly consisted of Joe Douglas throwing darts hoping to find some help in the secondary, selecting a safety, and two cornerbacks. During free agency, the Jets tried to sign safety Keanu Neal and convert him into a weakside linebacker. Neal eventually signed with the Dallas Cowboys but the Jets continue the try to find someone to fill that role. Two of the final six picks were on college safeties that the Jets plan to move to linebacker.

After finding four probable starters on the first two days of the draft, it feels like Gang Green is on the right path for the first time in forever. Let’s take a look at these final draft picks and all of the UDFA that they signed and any potential role they may have.

5th Round, Pick #146: Jamien Sherwood, Saftey/LB

  • College: Auburn
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 216
  • Arms: 34″
  • Hands: 10″
  • 40 time: 4.76

Sherwood played safety at Auburn but was announced as a linebacker when the Jets drafted him. He played 310 snaps out of 778 snaps played in the box, so moving over to linebacker should not be all that strange for the former Tiger. Sherwood missed only four tackles in 71 attempts in 2020, a 5.6% missed tackle rate. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a third-round grade.

5th Round, Pick #154: Michael Carter II, DB

  • College: Duke
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 184
  • Arms: 29″
  • Hands: 9.5″
  • 40 time: 4.36

After picking running back Michael Carter in the fourth round the Jets selected defensive back Michael Carter II in round five. Carter was a three-year starter at Duke rotating between slot, outside cornerback, and safety. In 46 career games, the former Blue Devil tallied 135 tackles, four interceptions, and 24 pass breakups. Carter was a team captain and a three-time Academic All-ACC pick. He was also a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. This award recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and leadership.

5th Round, Pick #175: Jason Pinnock, CB

  • College: Pittsburgh
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 204
  • Arms: 32″
  • Hands: 9″
  • 40 time: 4.49

The athletic Pinnock started all ten games for the Panthers in 2020. He compiled 19 tackles, five pass breakups, and a team-high three interceptions. PFF gave him a coverage grade of 67.1 in 2020. He allowed 13 receptions on 44 targets and a passer rating against of just 66.7. Look for Pinnock to provide depth in secondary but play mostly special teams.

6th Round, Pick #186: Hamsah Nasirildeen, Safety/LB

  • College: Florida St.
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 215
  • Arms: 34″
  • Hands: 10″
  • 40 time: N/A

Nasirildeen is a big safety that will need to play linebacker in the NFL to carve out a role. The former Seminole tore his ACL in 2019 and returned for the final two games of 2020. Nasirildeen is a sure tackler having missed just 22 in 233 attempts. He is a team leader that made road trips with the team even while rehabbing injury last season. PFF gave him a third-round grade and his best football may be in front of him.

6th Round, Pick #200: Brandin Echols, CB

  • College: Kentucky
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 179
  • Arms: 30.25″
  • Hands: 9″
  • 40 time: 4.36

Echols at 179-pounds has a slight build by NFL standards and could get pushed around in the NFL. He allowed a 104.3 passer rating against in 2020. He has elite athletic traits as evidenced by his 4.35 forty time and his 42.5-inch vertical jump recorded at his pro day. The former Wildcat did not display much in the way of ball skills last year, recording just one interception and zero pass breakups.

6th Round, Pick # 207: Jonathan Marshall, DT

  • College: Arkansas
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 310
  • Arms: 32.25″
  • Hands: 9.5″
  • 40 Time: 4.88

Although the Jets are seemly stacked at defensive tackle they selected Marshall with their last pick in the draft. Marshall became a starter for the first time in 2020, starting all 10 games. He played nose tackle at Arkansas but will probably move to 3-tech in the NFL. He was a team captain that has an uphill climb to carve out a role in the Jets crowded defensive line rotation.

UDFA: Kenny Yeboah, TE

  • College: Ole Miss
  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 250
  • Arms: 33.25″
  • Hands: 9.5″
  • 40 Time: N/A

Yeboah had 27 catches for 524 yards adding six touchdowns in 2020. He is a move tight end that struggles as a blocker. Yeboah has some big-play ability but struggles at times with drops on easy passes. The Jets have a bunch of tight ends on their roster but the former Rebel should be able to find his way onto the Jets 2021 roster.

UDFA: Teton Saltes, OT

  • College: New Mexico
  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 300
  • Arms: 33″
  • Hands: 9.5″
  • 40 Time: 5.04

Saltes was a three-year starter at tackle for the Lobos but will kick inside at the next level. He is a three-time Lobo scholar-athlete. Saltes won the Wuerffel Trophy in 2020. The award is given to a Football Bowl Subdivision football player who best exhibits exemplary community service.

UDFA: Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE

  • College Oregon State
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 251
  • Arms: 33.75″
  • Hands: 10″
  • 40 Time: 4.62

After recording 15 sacks in 2019, Rashed turned in a disappointing zero sacks in 2020. He is an undersized EDGE that may have to move to off-ball linebacker in the NFL. PFF had him ranked as a seventh-round pick.

UDFA: Isiah Dunn, CB

  • College: Oregon State
  • Height: 5’11”
  • Weight: 189
  • Arms: 32″
  • Hands: 9″
  • 40 Time: 4.38

The Jets gave Dunn the biggest contract for a rookie undrafted corner ever, $185,000 total guaranteed including a $25,000 signing bonus according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Dunn allowed a 74.7 passer rating against and just nine receptions on 21 targets.

UDFA: Michael Dwumfour, DT

  • College: Rutgers
  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 296
  • Arms: N/A
  • Hands: N/A
  • 40 Time: N/A

Dwumfour transferred to Rutgers after four years at Michigan. He had 19 total tackles, two for a loss, and just 0.5 sacks last season. A New Jersey native, Dwumfour played his high school football at DePaul Catholic in Wayne, NJ. Hard to see a path to making the roster for the former Scarlet Night.

UDFA: Milo Eifler, LB

  • College: Illinois
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 228
  • Arms: 32.75″
  • Hands: 8.5″
  • 40 Time: 4.58

Eifler had a 21.6% missed tackle rate in 2020. In coverage, he allowed 14 receptions on 15 targets and a 117.2 passer rating against. He recorded 27 tackles, one pass breakup, and one sack in 2020. The Jets need linebackers so Eifler could get some looks in camp.

UDFA: Parker Feguson, OL

  • College: Air Force
  • Height: 6’4″
  • Weight: 306
  • Arms: 33″
  • Hands: 9.25″
  • 40 Time: 5.19

Ferguson is a versatile player, having logged time at both guard positions as well as tackle. He has experience as a zone blocker but is a long-shot to make the Jets roster at best.

UDFA: Grant Hermanns, OL

  • College: Purdue
  • Height: 6’7″
  • Weight: 300
  • Arms: 33.5″
  • Hands: 9.875″
  • 40 Time: 5.29

Hermanns a left tackle at Purdue earned a 65.8 overall grade from PFF in 2020. The former Boilermaker has had two seasons cut short due to knee injuries. Hermanns was a four-year starter and a team captain. He is probably more of a camp body than a weekly NFL contributor.

UDFA: Tristen Hoge, OG

  • College: BYU
  • Height: 6’5″
  • Weight: 306
  • Arms: 33″
  • Hands: 10.75
  • 40 Time: 5.22

Zach Wilson’s former teammate started his career at Notre Dame before transferring to BYU. Hoge missed four games in 2020 due to Covid-19. He has extensive experience in a zone-blocking scheme. He is the nephew of former Steelers running back Merril Hoge and his ceiling is as a backup guard in the NFL.

UDFA: Chris Naggar, K

  • College: SMU
  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 193
  • Arms: 30″
  • Hands: 9″
  • 40 time: N/A

Naggar connected on 43 of 46 extra-point attempts last season. He was 17 of 21 (81%) on all field goal attempts. Naggar was named the AAC special teams player of the year in 2020. He was also five of nine on-field goals of over 40 yards. The former Mustang will have a chance to compete for the starting placekicker job.

UDFA: Jordyn Peters, DB

  • College: Auburn
  • Height: 6’1″
  • Weight: 202
  • Arms: 32.75″
  • Hands: 9.375″
  • 40 Time: 4.7

Peters allowed a 72.7 passer rating against last season and ten receptions on 18 targets. He had 101 career tackles and just five career missed tackles. Spent most of the time as a free safety in 2020.

UDFA: Brendon White, S

  • College: Rutgers
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 215
  • Arms: 32″
  • Hands: 8.75″
  • 40 Time: 4.66

White spent 2020 at Rutgers after three seasons at Ohio State. The senior allowed a 123.2 passer rating against last season. White has two career interceptions and three career pass break-ups. The former Scarlet Knight is a long shot to make the roster.

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