The Jets signed fifth-year defensive lineman Jalen Holmes, who was with them in the second half of August, as well as five other players who spent summers with other teams, to fill the final six slots of their practice squad. The first 10 players from the Jets’ coaching staff were announced on Wednesday.
The five signed from other teams are running backs Xazavian Valladay, offensive linemen Jason Boe and Ryan Swoboda, linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Pool and safety Tyrek Jones.
Holmes (6-5, 283) was a fourth-round pick (102nd overall) out of Ohio State by Minnesota in 2018 and spent time on the rosters of the Vikings, Saints, Giants and Bears before being signed by the Jets as a free agent on Aug. 14. . He only played in Tampa Bay’s preseason game for the Green & White, totaling four tackles and two sacks on 29 defensive snaps.
Swoboda’s best known so far is his standout – he’s listed at 6-10, 325 lbs. He had 39 starts dealing with Virginia before finishing his college career at Central Florida, then was signed by Detroit as an undrafted free agent in May. He played in all three of the Lions’ preseason games, catching 34 offensive shots in total.
The Jets are certainly in contention for the tallest coaching staff, led by Swoboda (who measures 6-9½ on his pro day) and 6-8 TE Zack Kuntz.
Valaday (6-0, 200), who was signed out of Arizona State as an undrafted free agent by Houston in May, was waived in mid-August. He was acquired by Pittsburgh and had 12 carries for 30 yards and one catch for 22 yards in the Steelers’ last two preseason games.
Poe (6-2, 295) is a first-year player who was signed after the 2022 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent by San Francisco from Mercer University in Georgia. He spent the entirety of last season on the 49ers’ practice squad. He has played in all six preseason games the last two summers, at both point guard positions, with one start in this year’s opener and 224 offensive snaps in both preseasons combined.
McCrary-Ball (6-0, 222), similar to Poe, is a first-year player who was signed as a UDFA after the ’22 draft by San Fran out of Indiana. He spent the entire 22nd season on the 49ers practice squad but had very active preseason the last two years. In 2022, he started two of the 49ers’ three preseason games, then this year started the opener for P.S. Both summers together, he played in all six Niners PS matches with 28 tackles, two tackles and one interception.
Jones (6-2, 205) was singed by Tennessee as a UDFA out of Boise State in May. He played in all three Titans preseason games and finished tied for the team lead with 11 tackles while adding pass defense.
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