Checking in on the status of ex-Jets defensive players around the NFL
Now that preseason is over, it’s time to update you on former New York Jets players and whether they made the roster or the practice squad for their 2024 team. We recently looked at offensive players today and today we focus on defensive players. Then we’ll be moving on to look at special teamers in due course.
As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments.
Jason Pinnock returns to the Giants as a starting safety in 2024, and he will need to become more of a leader this year following the departure of veteran Xavier McKinney.
Also: Safety Elijah Riley ended up on injured reserve.
Linebacker Frankie Luvu was a big-money signing for Washington as he signed a deal worth over $10 million per year. He will aim for his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2024.
Also: Safety Sheldrick Redwine was a late addition, but was not retained.
Dallas retained two former Jets on their practice squad; linebacker Nick Vigil and defensive end Carl Lawson, both of whom were recent additions.
Also: Dallas also released Redwine before Washington picked him up.
Defensive end Bryce Huff was a big pick-up for the Eagles during the offseason. It remains to be seen if he can live up to the big money deal he apparently wasn’t going to get from the Jets.
Also: Cornerback Parry Nickerson was released and not retained on the practice squad.
Defensive end Jacob Martin was placed onto injured reserve in final cuts but he has been designated for return.
Also: Defensive lineman Mike Dwumfour, linebacker Javin White and safety Adrian Colbert were all released in final cuts and not retained.
Defensive back Corey Ballentine started six games for the Packers last year and made their team once again for 2024.
Defensive end Deslin Alexandre didn’t make the final roster but was retained on the practice squad.
Linebacker Blake Cashman signed a three-year deal worth $7.5 million per year after finally proving he can stay healthy with Houston last season. He will be a starter this year.
Cornerbacks Javelin Guidry, Rachad Wildgoose and Craig James all failed to make the roster or practice squad for the Lions. James was released back in June and the others in final cuts.
The Bucs signed defensive backs Bryce Hall and Jordan Whitehead during the offseason and both made their final roster. Whitehead will start at safety but Hall is a second-stringer at cornerback.
Linebacker Milo Eifler was a late addition to injured reserve, but safety Dane Cruikshank did make the Falcons’ practice squad.
Also: Defensive end Bradlee Anae was not retained.
All-pro linebacker Demario Davis and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd will return to their starting roles with the Saints in 2024.
Also: Safety Marcus Maye was released earlier on in the offseason.
Linebacker Claud Cherelus made the Panthers roster again but will be a backup and special teamer once more.
The Panthers also claimed rookie cornerback Shemar Bartholomew off waivers. That came after another ex-Jet – Lamar Jackson – had a strong camp only to then get injured. Jackson has already been released from injured reserve.
Also: Another cornerback, Anthony Brown, also ended up on injured reserve.
The 49ers didn’t have any defensive players who are former Jets all offseason.
…and neither did the Rams.
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams was re-signed to a huge deal in the offseason and will return to Seattle in a starting role.
Also: Safety Jamal Adams was released early on in the offseason.
The Cardinals are another team that hasn’t had any defensive players on their team this offseason who are ex-Jets.
Buffalo acquired cornerback Brandon Codrington from the Jets in a trade, although he’ll probably just play on special teams.
Also: Cornerback Kyron Brown was not retained.
Defensive backs Elijah Campbell and Marcus Maye both made the Dolphins’ roster, although each will start the year as a backup.
Also: Defensive tackle Isaiah Mack was not retained and defensive end Wyatt Ray went onto injured reserve.
The Patriots haven’t had any former Jets players on defense this offseason.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris returns to the Browns after starting seven games last season. Quinton Jefferson will join him in the defensive line rotation. Harris is currently listed as a starter ahead of Jefferson.
Cornerback Justin Hardee was a surprise cut although he did re-sign to the practice squad.
The Steelers released 10 former Jets during the offseason, four of whom were defensive players. Cornerback Luc Barqoo, defensive tackle Marquiss Spencer and cornerback Kalon Barnes were all released in final cuts, while defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall was cut early on in camp.
None of these have been retained on the practice squad so far.
Cincinatti Bengals
The Bengals signed Sheldon Rankins during the offseason after he spent 2023 with the Texans on a one-year deal. Rankins is listed as a starter for Cincinnati.
Another defensive tackle, Domenique Davis, didn’t make the team but was retained on the practice squad.
Defensive back Art Maulet was just placed on injured reserve after re-signing following a 2023 season where he had an important role. He has been designated for return.
Safety Jamal Adams signed for Tennessee ahead of camp and made their roster, albeit only as a backup.
Also: Defensive back Shyheim Carter was not retained.
The Colts are another team that haven’t had any defensive ex-Jets on their team this offseason.
Houston Texans
Three former Jets made Houston’s roster, all of them on defense. Headlining this group is defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, who is currently listed as a starter.
Backup linebackers Neville Hewitt and Del’Shawn Phillips will probably make the majority of their contributions on special teams.
The Jaguars released defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall and defensive backs Adrian Amos and Tevaughn Campbell, and did not retain any of them on the practice squad.
Also: Jacksonville also cut Fatukasi earlier on in the offseason, in order to save money.
The Broncos traded for John Franklin-Myers in the offseason and he’ll be playing a slightly different role for them in 2024, as he’s listed as a starting defensive end in their 3-4 defense.
The Chiefs re-signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel once again after he performed well in the Super Bowl. He’s spent much of the past few years on the practice squad but they’ve retained him on the 53-man roster for now, albeit as a backup.
Also: Safety Trey Dean was released earlier on in the offseason.
Defensive end Elerson Smith and safety Tyreque Jones spent time with the Raiders this offseason but Jones was cut and Smith was just released from injured reserve.
Finally, the Chargers were another team that didn’t have any ex-Jets players on the defensive side of the ball.
We’ll be back with a look at special teamers in a few days.
Go to Source
Title: Ex-Jets Progress Report: Part II – Defense
Author: Bent
