The Jets had their first organized team activity that was open to the media on Wednesday. The headlines were about the quarterbacks and some of the new acquisitions. But here are five players who are flying under the radar who jumped out at me.
LB Jermaine Cunningham
The Jets picked Cunningham up late last season and he never really got into their rotation. He saw brief action in two games at the end of the year.
But Cunningham is an intriguing reclamation project. The Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft, and he started 11 games as a rookie. But his play dropped off and they cut him after three years.
Cunningham is only 25 and could help the Jets’ pass rush. On Wednesday, he worked with the second unit mostly, but you can see his speed and he looks the part. The Jets once got something out of Aaron Maybin for a brief time. It’s possible Rex Ryan could figure out how to do the same with Cunningham.
CB Ras-I Dowling
Another former Patriots draft pick, the Jets added him to their practice squad last season. The Patriots took him in the second round of the 2011 draft, but he never could stay healthy and they cut him at the end of training camp last year.
On Wednesday, Dowling was all over the field making plays. He showed strong coverage skills and good ball awareness. The Jets are shaky at cornerback. Ryan loves to play multiple corners, and he’s going to be looking for guys to provide some depth. If Dowling can stay healthy, he might be one of those guys.
WR Jacoby Ford
The Jets signed Ford a few weeks into free agency, and he kind of got lost in the shuffle. But it was a significant signing. Ford has blazing speed and that was on display Wednesday.
Ford never really put it together in Oakland, but it’s worth giving him a look. With all the talk about “open competition” these days, the No. 2 wide receiver spot is one that’s actually open. I doubt anyone inside the Jets’ building has a good idea of who will emerge to fill that spot.
The Jets have not had a deep threat in a while. Ford could provide that and he could be a good return man.
OL Dalton Freeman
The Jets signed Freeman as an undrafted free agent last season. He was having a strong training camp until he suffered a high ankle sprain, and ended up spending last season on the practice squad.
The thing that interested me about Freeman on Wednesday was he was playing guard. He played center mainly last year, but I didn’t see him at center at all on Wednesday.
The Jets need some depth on the offensive line. Freeman played with the second unit on Wednesday, but keep in mind usual starter Willie Colon is out, so Oday Aboushi was elevated to first team. But Freeman might be able to push Aboushi and Will Campbell, another 2013 draft pick, for that backup guard spot. He was an All-American at Clemson and showed he could play during the brief time he was healthy last spring and summer. He’s a player to keep an eye on during training camp.
DL Kerry Hyder
The Jets added a big name from Texas Tech in the draft with tight end Jace Amaro, but he is not the only Red Raider they picked up. They signed Hyder as an undrafted free agent.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder was second-team All-Big 12 last year and he showed flashes why on Wednesday. He was very active and seemed to be around the ball a lot. It’s hard to judge linemen in non-contact OTAs, but Hyder looked as if he was holding his own. He also saw a lot of time with the second team, which is impressive for an undrafted free agent in May.
There are not many open spots on that defensive line, so it’s an uphill climb for Hyder. But maybe the Jets can stash him on the practice squad this year and develop him.