NY Jets: Potential UDFA’s to target post-NFL draft

There will be players who can contribute even though undrafted

It seems like in recent years UDFA’s have been making a bigger impact on the game at a professional level. Maybe this has something to do with many of them receiving bigger contracts than those being selected in the later rounds on Day 3 of the NFL draft. Or maybe it’s a correlation that doesn’t exist and is just a fabric of my imagination. Regardless, here I’ll be highlighting potential UDFA options for the NY Jets to grab after the end of the NFL draft.

For the purpose of this article, I’ll be using the Consensus Big Board used by the NFL Mock Draft Database website, and highlighting players who are ranked 260 or later at the time of this writing. Let’s begin.

Disclaimer: Not every player here may become a UDFA.

NY Jets: Potential UDFA Targets

Francisco Mauigoa, Linebacker – Miami

Francisco Mauigoa is a 6-foot-2, 233 pound inside linebacker with blazing speed. The Miami product ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he proved to be one of the more elite testers at the position.

Mauigoa is explosive in his first step, as his broad jump and 10-yard split suggest. That speed shows up on film, too. I was able to witness him perform first-hand at the Shrine Bowl, where he impressed with his performance in live drills.

Mauigoa uses that speed to excel in run defense, where his 84.0 grade ranked 30th among all linebackers (min. 200 snaps). His 12.7 stop percentage ranked 14th, showcasing his strong ability in the run game.

The Miami linebacker may not be a third-down player yet, but he could be a rotational depth player on early downs if needed.

Alijah Huzzie, Cornerback – UNC

Alijah Huzzie is an experienced prospect, playing six years of college football. He developed as an excellent cornerback for East Tennessee State, before eventually transferring to the University of North Carolina.

At UNC, Huzzie continued to show great intelligence at the cornerback position. One of his specialties is something that’s much needed in today’s NFL: disrupting routes with a crossing pattern. Whether it’s an actual crosser, or an inside dig, the Tar Heel almost has an innate ability to break up passes on crossing plays, something he did consistently at his time at UNC, and at the Shrine Bowl, too.

In his final year at North Carolina, Huzzie put together a solid if unspectacular season. He excels in man coverage, and even when he’s beaten on a step, he possesses some of the best recovery speed that I’ve seen out of a cornerback.

With the type of mindset and characteristics that Huzzie has, he would make an excellent fit in the Jets’ secondary.

Personally, I’d be shocked if he became an UDFA, but as of right now, that’s where he stands in consensus rankings.

Samuel Brown Jr, Wide Receiver – Miami

Samuel Brown may not have the same statistical profile as other receivers in this class, but there’s a lot to like from the Miami Hurricane prospect. Brown stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds. He’s an explosive athlete, which he was able to showcase at the NFL Combine. There, he led receivers in the vertical jump, while his 1.52-second 10-yard split ranked 12th. In fact, his RAS Score ranked 39th out of 3445 wide receivers since 1987.

On film, Brown shows that he’s excellent after the catch against P4 competition (please, no YAC King references). He’s also willing to put his body on the line to make a catch.

However, the main reason I think the Jets would be smart to go after Brown is his ability as a run-blocker. This past season, Brown’s 76.1 run-blocking grade ranked eighth among wide receivers. Considering New York’s current personnel on offense, a player that is willing to block and forego stat-padding is a great player to have in your wide receiver room.

Despite being slightly shorter, Brown reminds me of a Tim Patrick type of receiver. He will surprise you in a good way, and he isn’t afraid to do the dirty work in the run-game.

Joshua Simon, Tight End – South Carolina

If the NY Jets decide to pass on Tyler Warren, Terrance Ferguson, and other tight ends early in the draft, South Carolina’s Joshua Simon could be an interesting player to acquire as a UDFA.

Simon put up the second-fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, at 4.65 seconds. He also posted the second-highest vertical and long jump at the position, showing his explosiveness. In essence, Simon tested extremely well at the event. However, he also performed well at the Shrine Bowl – and he had two good seasons with the Gamecocks as a “Big Slot”.

Although he’s an older prospect and unrefined as a blocker, Simon could be an option for the Jets. He has a high IQ as a route-runner, though at times he may need to work on his hand placement on jump ball opportunities.

Considering he’s projected as an UDFA, Simon is a project piece worth taking a chance on.

Shaun Dolac, Linebacker – Buffalo

Shaun Dolac is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft. I think if he went to a different school and didn’t show loyalty to Buffalo, he would be a far bigger name in this year’s draft.

Statistically speaking, he is one of the best linebackers in this draft class. He is the top-rated linebacker in defensive grade by PFF. Against the run, he ranks 10th with an 88.8 grade. He had the highest tackling grade among linebackers in 2024. He also boasted the best coverage grade with a 92.7.

Not only did Dolac grade well, but he also led the FBS with 119 tackles, while adding four sacks despite being an inside linebacker. He also holds an absurd 4.7 missed tackle rate, which is 14th-best at the position. Dolac also led the position with 69 run stops.

I don’t think I really need to continue, but the film doesn’t lie, either.

Dolac is a decisive player. He knows when to hit his gaps, he understands where the ball is moving due to his tremendous football IQ, and he has the athleticism to excel against any competition.

Dolac is a player who may not take long before he becomes a producer on any team. For the Jets, it’s hard to not want a player of this caliber, especially if he can be had for next to nothing. This would be a no-brainer – if it becomes a possibility.

https://x.com/NFL_DF/status/1900694376940007917

Jackson Meeks, Wide Receiver – Syracuse

Jackson Meeks couldn’t find an opportunity at Georgia, but he quickly shined in his final year of college football playing for the Syracuse Orange. Meeks put together 910 yards on 72 receptions and had seven touchdowns. Advanced statistics show a receiver who was heavily utilized in a quick-passing attack. He displayed good prowess getting in-and-out of his breaks with strong hands at the catch point.

Standing at 6-foot-2, I clocked the Syracuse receiver with a 4.52 40-yard dash at the Syracuse Pro Day. He isn’t a burner, but he has good enough speed.

Instead, Meeks is a gritty player whose personality matches that on the field. Meeks reminds me a lot of Allen Robinson in terms of his ability to make plays in traffic.

While that type of career might not be a long one in terms of NFL success, it has its uses in the league. And, considering the lack of weapons the NY Jets currently have, it makes sense to take a flier on a player like Meeks.

Bryce Cabeldue, Offensive Lineman – Kansas

Despite the NY Jets adding some players with questionable character along the offensive line, the team desperately needs to continue strengthening that unit. Adding a player like Kansas’ Bryce Cabeldue might do the trick.

Cabeldue played five years at as an offensive tackle at Kansas, playing meaningful snaps and getting better with each passing year. His final year with the Jayhawks, Cabeldue put up a 76.6 run-blocking grade with an 80.2 pass-blocking grade. However, due to his length, Cabeldue has acknowledged that he is projected as a guard in the NFL.

The Kansas offensive lineman got exclusive snaps there at the Shrine Bowl, where he showed that he can perform well despite playing a position he’s not as familiar with.

On top of that, Cabeldue proved to be an athletic specimen. He put together a great 4.95 40-yard dash and did an impressive 30 reps in his bench press.

I was able to speak to Bryce personally at the Shrine Bowl, and on top of his athletic ability, he displayed an incredibly high football IQ. With his versatility and character, the Jets would be wise to take a shot on him if he manages to fall out of the draft.