Top 5 Undrafted Free Agents in New York Jets History

With the NFL draft around the corner, NFL teams are preparing to draft the potential future stars of their franchises or players who will be reliable and consistent.  The NFL draft is considered a gamble because you never know what you’re gonna get.  Again, the players these teams select could either turn out to be Hall of Fame players or draft busts who failed to live up to expectations.  That’s why scouts and general managers make sure that they hit on every pick, as each pick, whether a first-rounder or even a late-round pick, could determine the future of a team. This article takes a look at the top undrafted free agent signings in New York Jets History.

Getting drafted in the NFL is a dream come true and very hard to do.  Most of the players entering the draft don’t get to see that dream come true, as hundreds of players wound up going undrafted.  

When it comes to going undrafted, it can be more challenging than being a first-round pick.  Undrafted players have to go way above 100 percent to prove why they belong in the NFL and showcase their skills.  

Over the years, the Jets have found success signing undrafted free agents who’ve been valuable contributors to the team.  Some have gone on to be consistent starters in the league, earn Pro Bowl honors, serve as leaders, or even be inducted into the Ring of Honor.  Let’s take a look back at some of the best undrafted free agents the Jets signed in franchise history.

New York Jets History

(This list is in no particular order.)

Wayne Chrebet

When most people think of the New York Jets, the first player to come to mind is wide receiver Wayne Chrebet.  

The New Jersey native went undrafted in 1995 out of Hofstra University.  Before going undrafted, he was a standout wide receiver for the Hofstra Flying Dutchmen, now Hofstra Pride.  In his Senior year, he caught 57 receptions for 1,200 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.  Even though he put up incredible stats, no one was scouting him.  

After going undrafted, he had a few teams call him to sign with them.  One of them was with the Carolina Panthers, who were starting as an expansion franchise, where the opportunities to start would be big.  He ultimately decided to sign with the Jets, who offered him a rare “walk-on” tryout opportunity, along with the Jets’ practice facility and training camp being at his alma mater, Hofstra University.  

After fighting his way on the Jets roster, Chrebet would go on to play 11 seasons for the green and white, making a name for himself and becoming one of the most beloved Jets in franchise history.  Chrebet was known for being a tough, clutch, and reliable wide receiver for the Jets and was a key member during their years of success during the late 90s and through the early to mid 2000s.  Due to suffering multiple concussions throughout his career, forced him to retire.  Chrebet finished his career with 580 receptions, 7,365 receiving yards, and 41 touchdowns, resulting in him being inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2007

Victor Green

Even though he didn’t get as much national attention, he is extremely respected amongst the Jets organization and fans.  Victor Green was a long-term, high-level starter who produced at a near-elite level for his position.

After going undrafted in 1993 out of the University of Akron, Victor Green signed with the Jets due to the fact that they didn’t draft any defensive backs in 1993, seeing the Jets as the perfect opportunity to start his NFL career.  Green would go on to play 9 seasons for the Jets, racking up 977 career tackles, in 1996 he led the league in combined and solo tackles with 165 and 123.  He was also a ball-hawk of a safety, collecting 25 interceptions.  

Victor Green wasn’t just a good undrafted player; he was a cornerstone that was developed from within.  He was the type of player every team hopes to find but rarely does outside the draft.  He was the definition of complete safety as he was great in run support, was durable, high football IQ, and showed tremendous leadership.  He’s regarded as one of the best safeties in franchise history.

Brandon Moore

Throughout the 2000s, the Jets have been known for their offensive live production, and Brandon Moore was a foundational piece to their success.  

Going undrafted out of the University of Illinois in 2002, he originally came into the league as a defensive lineman, but switched to offensive guard as requested by head coach Herm Edwards during rookie training camp.  Moore wound up being a dependable and consistent starter for the Jets as he was a key piece to the Jets’ offensive line for over a decade.  His best strength was his dependability, as he played 10 seasons for the Jets from 2003 to 2012, starting in over 140 games.  

Throughout 2008-2010, the Jets had one of the best offensive lines in football, and Moore was a key piece to an offensive line that featured D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.  The Jets had one of the best running attacks, led by Thomas Jones and Shone Greene.  They also made back-to-back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010.  

Moore will always be known as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history, as he’s known for his durability and consistency with the Jets, being named a Pro-Bowler in 2011.

Damon Harrison

“Snacks” Harrison is known as one of the best run stuffers the Jets have ever had, and he is arguably the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in the league when he played.  

Harrison signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of William Penn.  He was developed from within the Jets organization as he worked his way up from being a fringe roster player to an immediate starter on a Jets defensive line that was dominant in the early 2010s.  

He was an elite run-defender, shutting down the interior rushing lanes, which forced double teams as offenses had to game plan around him.  His presence on defense was key in pass rushing, making it easy for players like Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson to get to the quarterback.  Harrison’s physical dominance made him the elite run stuffer that made the Jets a dominant defense during his time with the Jets (2012-2016).  

“Snacks” was the definition of developing within, as the Jets have had issues within the past couple of years doing that.  When it comes to building a contending team, the best contending teams know how to develop from players through the draft, a key component of that is coaching.

John Schmitt

Before there were centers like Nick Mangold and Kevin Mawae, John Schmitt was the first great center in franchise history.  

Undrafted in both the NFL and AFL in 1964, Schmitt wound up signing with the Jets as a result of a phone call from his college coach Handy Myers, to Jets coach Weeb Ewbank that sealed the deal.

Schmitt was a highly reliable center for the New York Jets from 1964 to 1973 and was a key member in their Super Bowl III upset against the Baltimore Colts.  While blocking for Joe Nameth, Schmitt was named to the All-AFL second team in 1968 and 1969.  

Honorable Mentions

• Robby Anderson
• Folorunso Fatukasi
• Clark Gaines
• Bryce Huff
• Frankie Luvu
• Mike Devito

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