Free Agency

New York Jets: Four Late Free Agents That Should Be Brought Back

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The free agent frenzy has mollified, but the New York Jets would be smart to handle matters with a handful of their own unsigned players.

Professional football discussions are currently centered on the draft. The free agency period thus feels like a distant memory, but, for several recent New York Jets, it remains an all-too-current reality.

Entering Thursday, the Jets still have 14 players in the free agency pool. The team has made plenty of moves on the transaction front, but a few more could truly solidify them for the 2020 season…

P Lac Edwards

We spoke about the Jets’ holes in the special teams department earlier this week. Edwards’ lingering free agency is only exacerbating the tenuous situation. Former Steelers summer leg Ian Berryman is currently destined to take the role as the only punter on the roster.

Edwards endured a heavy workload last season (an NFL-high yardage of 3,991 on an equally-high 87 punts), but he tied for eighth in punts inside the 20 (28). It seems like a trivial matter, but a reliable punter is a must-have accessory for an offense that struggles to consistently score. Having built a rapport with long snapper Thomas Hennessy and drawn the praises of special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, Edwards could be an under-the-radar signing that puts both the offense and defense at ease.

S Rontez Miles

Miles is one of the NFL’s most undersung success stories. A California alum…not the Golden Bears of Berkeley, but the California University of Pennsylvania on the Division II level…that entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2013, Miles has built himself a respectable NFL career primarily through special teams exploits. His efforts with the team were rewarded last season with a team captaincy.

Assisting Miles’ case is the Jets’ failed signing of former Los Angeles Ram Marqui Christian. The veteran safety was set to sign with the Jets before a salary dispute caused the deal to fall through. For a team in desperate need of veteran leadership, Miles’ experience could be indispensable.

RB Bilal Powell

Another longtime Jet that has yet to be invited back is Powell, the longest-tenured guy in green at nine seasons. During the Jets’ endless stream of starts on the offensive line, Powell was able to lead the team with a 3.9 rushing average. A decent average has been part of Powell’s repertoire since his 2011 entry. Over the past nine seasons, Powell’s 4.32 ranks 12th in the NFL amongst rushers with at least 800 attempts.

The Jets upgraded their offensive line this offseason, which should allow Bell to at least reach a closer version of Pittsburgh self. Spell options, however, remain slim in the form of Josh Adams, Kenneth Dixon, and Trenton Cannon. With fellow free agent Ty Montgomery failing to find a true spot in the rushing rotation, bringing back the reliable Powell makes a lot of sense.

WR Demaryius Thomas

Renovations on the blocking front have provided a long-sought sense of hope for the Jets’ offense. But there’s no denying that the loss of Robby Anderson was a big blow. For example, whereas Anderson scored 20 touchdowns for the Jets since his 2016 entry, no other Jets receiver reached double-digits. Sam Darnold’s current top target is destined to be Breshad Perriman after a stellar season wrap-up with Tampa Bay. Jamison Crowder returns in the slot, but a whole bunch of uncertainty lies behind him.

Thomas probably isn’t at a level where he can be a reliable top target. But the Jets could his experience and veteran leadership on a roster in desperate need of older help. It may be a lot to ask Thomas to duplicate his stellar numbers from Denver, but a young quarterback like Darnold needs a seasoned veteran to help him out. He recently told Denver radio station 104.3 The Fan (KKFN-FM) that he was very willing to return for an eleventh season.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

The New York Jets must consider special teams at the NFL Draft

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The New York Jets have to consider using their expanded draft stash on special teams solutions, which will put a developing offense at ease.

Special teams conspiracy theorists could probably claim that the NFL’s latest innovations and trends are trying to get rid of the third phase of the game entirely.

When extra points got too automatic, the league tacked on 15 yards to them, leading to increased tries for two points. Whereas the point-after-touchdown was moved back, kickoffs were moved up. Some felt their travels to the 35-yard-line (as well as a “reward” for a touchback being access to the 25) were the first step in having the kickoff go the way of the single-bar facemask. The increasingly prevalent analytics departments also weren’t helping matters, as evidence continues to mount that it makes more sense to go for it on fourth down in lieu of kicking or punting.

But special teams undoubtedly hold a place in the modern game. For a team that is situated with an offense that struggles to enter the end zone on a consistent basis, having a proven kicker is a perfect safety blanket. If defeat must be admitted, the least you can do is arm yourself with a good punter.

Hence, the New York Jets must spend this draft session, at least the latter portions, on special teams assistance.

New York Jets
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 25: The video board shows that the New York Jets have turned in their pick during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, at the Draft Main Stage on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, TN. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Jets obviously have aspirations of becoming frequent end zone visitors. They moved up in the draft to find a franchise quarterback. Free agency currency has been dealt to a star running back and blocker to clear the way for him. But until the team can find the end zone on a regular basis, having reliable specialists are absolutely vital. Considering the fact that Robby Anderson (by far their most reliable receiver since 2015) sought bluer pastures in Carolina, regular six-point possessions are easier said than done.

The long-term long snapper spot was readily fulfilled last season. Thomas Hennessy has played four incident-free years thus far and is destined for four more through 2024. But there are several needs that must be fulfilled as the Jets’ latest rebuild continues.

Over the past two seasons (the first of hopefully many overseen by Sam Darnold), the Jets have kicked 63 field goals, a number tied for seventh in the NFL. The surplus was tolerable when Jason Myers was booting triples from all over the field (17-of-19 from at least 40 yards out), but the Marist alum has moved on to Seattle. Since then, four different kickers have dressed in a green uniform, the most recent of which is Sam Ficken.

Those we believe that special teams are meaningless to the Jets…who, granted, still have holes to fill…surely missed their opening weekend tilt against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets’ heartbreaking 17-16 loss was made all the more painful by a missed field goal and extra point from first-game participant Kaare Vedvik. Ficken surfaced shortly after, but was hardly reliable with a 70 percent success rate (19-of-27).

The Jets did bring in a new kicker shortly after the season’s end. Alas, it was Brett Maher, one of only two qualified names below Ficken for conversion rate (20-of-30, 67 percent). Simply put, the Jets need competition, barring a miraculous scoring outbreak next season.

It’s understandable why the Jets didn’t upgrade in free agency. The most reliable names (Mason Crosby, Ka’imi Fairbairn, Dan Bailey) re-signed with their prior squads. Greg Zuerlein was coming off a career-worst season, while Stephen Gostkowski and Ryan Succop were working off injuries.

The Jets are blessed with a deep draft in several of their need positions. Kicker is one of them.

2020’s kicker slot is highlighted by the bespectacled wonder that is Rodrigo Blankenship of Georgia. The former Bulldog may be more of an Athens staple than the hedges and Uga combined. Save for Georgia’s unfortunate collapse in the 2018 National Championship Game, Blankenship might’ve earned everything a kicker could achieve at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. He capped things off with the 2019 Lou Groza Award but his name also appears in the slots reserved for the kicker of the longest field goal in Rose Bowl history and the all-time leading leg scorer in SEC history. Blankenship also has an appearance in the 2019 ESPN Body Issue and a rap track to his name, certainly a unique accomplishment amongst his peers.

Also among the draft options is the perfectly named Jet Toner out of Stanford. Toner’s distance needs work, and he’s coming off a leg injury, but he completed all 101 of his extra points and went 14-of-15 in his last full season. Small-school option Tyler Bass (Georgia Southern) struggled in his senior season but impressed during the Senior Bowl preparation in Mobile. With the Jets afforded an eighth draft pick, particularly their final one in the sixth obtained from Kansas City through the Darron Lee transaction, they can afford to use capital on a kicker spot.

Somewhat murkier is the Jets’ dilemma at punter. It seems like an avoidable spot, but the fact remains that current free agent Lac Edwards led the league in punts with 87. That does come with a Luke Falk-sized asterisk (25 of Edwards’ boots alone came during Darnold’s three-game absence), but the Jets can’t afford to be negligent. If they fail to bring Edwards back, an SEC trio of Braden Mann (Texas A&M), Tommy Townsend (Florida), and Joseph Charlton (South Carolina) could fill in the gap.

The Jets can also fulfill their special needs earlier in the draft. After enjoying the antics of Andre Roberts’ first Pro Bowl season, their average kick return plummeted to 22nd in football after enjoying a third-place finish last season. While the team enjoyed some late traction in the punt return game with Vyncint Smith, it wouldn’t hurt to full multiple needs within the first two days. Virginia’s Joe Reed led the ACC in kick return average twice and also can work as a sizable slot receiver (6’0, 224 lbs.). Jalen Reagor and K.J. Hamler could each go in the second-round and can contribute in more ways that one.

Enough tired memes and jokes have been made at the specialists’ expense. Enough Jets fans are also, perhaps, still traumatized by the second-round selection of Mike Nugent during 2005’s proceedings (especially when Vincent Jackson and Frank Gore went not so long after).

But if the Jets want to end their endless cycle of misery, or at least start to put a dent into it, extra draft capital should go toward the third phase of football. The new Jets brass has already shown that they’re willing to do things differently, especially when it comes to the offensive line. Logic at least hints you can find an undrafted rookie in the scrap pile (i.e. Fairbairn to the Texans in 2016), but the Jets have played by the laws of football logic long enough.

These draft diamonds in the rough, practitioners of football’s third phase, could help provide the spark that burns the perception of “Same Old Jets” down.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

 

 

 

The New York Giants Need To Address The Center Position In The Draft

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New York Giants, Cesar Ruiz

The New York Giants spent much money this free agency upgrading their defense. However, the team did not invest a whole lot into their offensive line- a positional unit that has not performed well in years. Nevertheless, the 2020 NFL Draft is two weeks away, and the Giants are going to have to spend some picks on offensive linemen.

There is plenty of debate about whether or not the Giants should select an offensive tackle fourth overall in this year’s draft. But there is no debate to be had over whether or not the Giants should draft a center this year- they absolutely have to. No, not with the fourth overall selection, but the Giants need to address the center position early in the draft. Reportedly, this is New York’s plan.

The Weakest Link

The Giants’ offensive line is the weakest positional group on the team. But there is no single position weaker than the center. Offensive tackle is the other position that can be debated here, but that is only because it is a more valuable position. The Giants have two starting-caliber players playing tackle. They are not high-end starters and are not long-term solutions.

But the Giants do not have a legitimate starter at center right now. If the season started tomorrow, Spencer Pulley would be starting at center for the Giants. Pulley played in four games and started only one game in 2019. He is a high-quality backup and not someone the Giants should feel confident in starting when the 2020 NFL season kicks off.

Some Center Options Early On

There are multiple centers for the Giants to target in the 2020 NFL Draft. A few prospects could be worthy of the Giants’ thirty-sixth overall selection. If Cesar Ruiz slips out of the first round, he would be a home-run selection for the Giants in the second round. New York has held a virtual meeting with the stud Michigan center prospect (according to Jordan Reid of TDN).

If the Giants decide to wait a little later to find their center, they could snag Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz in the third or fourth round. Biadasz started 41 collegiate games in Wisconsin and is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the draft class. He might not be day-one ready like Ruiz, but he definitely has potential as a long-term solution for the center position.

The New York Giants Should Trade For Vikings Safety Anthony Harris

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New York Giants, Anthony Harris

The New York Giants spent much money in free agency this offseason. They made a couple of splash signings on defense with linebacker Blake Martinez and cornerback James Bradberry. But New York’s defense still has room for improvement.

The 2020 NFL Draft will take place in sixteen days. Rumors indicate that the Giants are going to prioritize upgrading the defense in the draft. New York has invested a sizeable amount of draft capital into their secondary over the past two seasons. But there are some talented safeties in this year’s class that the Giants could plug into the rotation along with Jabrill Peppers and Julian Love.

Outside of the NFL Draft, there is still a way for New York to acquire an uber-talented safety. Prior to the New League Year, the Giants reportedly did have an interest in signing Anthony Harris. Unfortunately, the Vikings placed the franchise tag on Harris, keeping him off the open market. But the elite Vikings safety is still available if the Giants are still interested. According to Ian Rapoport, the Vikings “acknowledged to teams that Harris could be had for a mid-to-late round draft pick.” The highest-graded safety in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, could be acquired via trade for a mid-to-late round pick. This is something the Giants should be all over- and apparently, they are.

Anthony Harris Back On The Trade Block

According to new reports, an Anthony Harris trade possibility is “back on the table.” Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV reports that the contract negotiations between the Minnesota Vikings and Anthony Harris are “not quite going so well.” Later in the report, “Wolfson mentions the New York Giants as a potential suitor.” The rumors seem to indicate that the Giants are attempting to trade for Harris, though the Vikings might have their price set a little too high.

With the NFL Draft just sixteen days away, the Vikings and Giants would have to come to terms on a trade pretty soon if it is going to happen. The deal would involve moving draft capital and could shift each team’s respective draft plans.

Why The Giants Should Make This Trade

The price of trading for Anthony Harris is unknown. However, the initial asking price at the start of free agency, according to Ian Rapoport, was a “mid-to-late round draft pick.” If the price has gone up marginally, it still is likely a bargain deal for one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Anthony Harris is a ball-hawking coverage safety. In 2019, the Vikings safety led the NFL in interceptions with 6 picks, one of which was a pick-six. He also added 11 passes defended and 60 combined tackles (with only 3 missed tackles), both of which were a career-high. Quarterbacks struggle to throw into Anthony’s coverage. Harris had a 44.2 passer rating allowed when targeted. His coverage was targeted 23 times, and he allowed 15 completions for only 151 yards, 0 touchdowns, and those 6 interceptions.

Trading for Anthony Harris would instantly upgrade the Giants’ secondary. A move like this would not push any talent to the bottom of the depth chart, either. Jabrill Peppers will still start at strong safety. Julian Love will be able to move back to his original position, slot cornerback. A secondary featuring Harris, Peppers, Love, Baker, and Bradberry could be a quarterback’s worst nightmare.

New York Giants Announce New Free Agent Numbers

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New York Giants, James Bradberry

The New York Giants announced the numbers that their newly signed free agents will be wearing in 2020. The Giants announced the numbers for ten of the twelve free agents they signed this offseason. The two players whose numbers have not been announced are Corey Coleman and Casey Kreiter. Coleman will likely wear the same number he wore with the Giants the last two seasons (19) but Casey Kreiter will have to find himself a new number. He wore 42 in Denver but the New York Giants have retired that number.

The New Numbers:

James Bradberry- 24

Colt McCoy- 12

Levine Toilolo- 83

Austin Johnson- 93

Blake Martinez- 54

Kyler Fackrell- 51

Cameron Fleming- 75

Eric Tomlinson- 85

Nate Ebner- 43

Dion Lewis- 33

Numbers of Notice:

James Bradberry will be keeping his number 24 from Carolina. The Giants did have a number 24 on the roster in 2019. Rookie safety Julian Love wore 24 after switching from the number 37 that he wore during the preseason. Love will undergo another number change in 2020. After giving 24 to Bradberry, Julian will switch to number 20 for the upcoming NFL season.

The Giants also gave number 51 to new pass-rusher Kyler Fackrell. This number was occupied in 2019- and the twelve seasons prior. 51 was the number donned by long snapper Zak DeOssie since 2007. But the Giants are moving on from DeOssie this season, signing free agent long snapper Casey Kreiter. So, for the first time in 13 years, number 51 will be worn by a player not named Zak DeOssie.

Three ways the Marqui Christian departure affects the New York Jets

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Marqui Christian has reportedly back out of his deal with the New York Jets. How does this affect the team moving forward?

Details are emerging about the Jets’ free agency acquisitions, but it appears that former Los Angeles Rams safety Marqui Christian won’t be joining the green party.

According to a report from Brian Costello of the New York Post, a deal between the Jets and Christian fell through, leaving the Jets relatively shallow in safety depth. ESM takes a look at how Christian’s rejection impacts the remainder of the team’s offseason plans.

Rontez Miles Could Come Back For Yet Another Year

Rontez Miles has flown under the radar through his professional tenure, but, in some ways, he represents the quintessential inspiring NFL story. The safety entered the league as a Division II outcast from California University of Pennsylvania but has gone on to build a sizable and decent career as a reserve safety and special teams maven. He currently stands out as the third-longest tenured member of the team, behind only Bilal Powell and Brian Winters. Last season, Miles’ service was rewarded with a team captaincy. His 16 special teams tackles earned two years prior were tied for third in the league and he has also been used as a personal protector.

Miles, 31, is currently one of the Jets’ remaining free agents. The arrival of Christian might’ve spelled the end for him, but new life has potentially been granted to his Jets career. He has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons, but with the Jets’ perpetual rebuild in perhaps its most hopeful stage yet, they’re going to need some veteran seasoning. Minus Miles and a few free agents, only four members of the active roster are in their 30s. One (Josh Bellamy) could be a cap space casualty and the other (Brett Maher) is a newcomer who could have some competition at camp.

Safeties Shoot Up the Big Board

The Jets’ draft plan for next month is a lot less murky after adding serviceable blockers from elsewhere. Thus, there’s a lot of freedom and flexibility with their eight draft picks. Good thing too, because the Jets have plenty of need left to fill. Secondary depth was near the summit of offseason needs, and they at least took care of things in the cornerback department (Pierre Desir, re-signing Brian Poole and Arthur Maulet). They’re desperate thin at safety behind their strong duo of Adams and Maye. Journeyman Bennett Jackson was re-signed and former CFLer Anthony Cioffi was brought in February. But there’s no doubt the Jets could use some help. Day three of last year’s draft saw them add a local diamond in the secondary rough in the form of Rutgers cornerback Bless Austin.

Where the Jets lack depth, the draft is there to compensate. Several talented solutions could be available. One of ESM’s latest Jets mock drafts has them taking FCS standout Jeremy Chinn from Southern Illinois. A decent week at Mobile’s Senior Bowl put him on the national radar and he followed it up with a decent Combine. Other potential latter-pick options may include the undersized but reputed Minnesota ballhawk Antoine Winfield Jr. (son of the three-time Pro Bowler) or Big Ten run stoppers Antoine Brooks (Maryland) and Khaleke Hudson (Michigan).

The Jets have the draft capital (extra picks earned via trades with the Giants and Chiefs), but if they’d rather focus on more offensive help (i.e. blocking and receiving), further opportunities await…

Free Agency Could Bring Back Familiar Faces

Metropolitan sports fans eager for athletic events of any kind have been partially placated by the local NFL squads making moves. Missing out on Christian ensures that the Jets aren’t done yet. They have just over $32.5 million in cap space left to work with, so it’s not like Joe Douglas and company have to close up shop until draft day.

Fortunately for the Jets, experienced options to deepen the safety depth chart are available. Among them is safety Damarious Randall, who previously worked with Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during the latter’s helm as interim head coach in Cleveland.  Christian had previously worked with defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Dennard Wilson in Los Angles. Alternative Wilson alumni from Los Angeles that are on the market include Blake Countess who played six games with the Jets last season.

It’s impossible to deny that the Jets have gotten better during this transaction period, at least on paper. But with less-than-desirable contingency plans behind the  strong pairing of Adams and Maye, the Jets don’t have the luxury of standing idle at this point.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

S Marqui Christian, New York Jets part ways (Report)

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According to the New York Post, safety Marqui Christian is no longer joining the New York Jets after reportedly agreeing to a deal last week.

A report from Brain Costello of the New York Post has revealed that free safety Marqui Christian will not join the New York Jets. Reports from last week indicated that Christian was set to don green, but this appears to no longer be the case.

Costell’s report states that Christian and the Jets could not agree on contract terms. The former Los Angeles Ram was originally set to join on a $2 million contract for one year.

Christian, 25, was a Division II star at Midwestern State, earning All-American honors in 2015. He played his success into a fifth-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 draft. Arizona waived him in September 2016, but was immediately picked up by Los Angeles and built a four-year NFL career by working special teams into his repertoire.

In New York, Christian was expected to compete for a reserve safety position behind Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Matthias Farley is under contract for another year, while seasoned New York veteran Rontez Miles is up for free agency. The Jets also released Christian’s fellow former Ram Blake Countess earlier this month.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Jets: Three Trade Proposals for Trent Williams

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Landing the veteran blocker would situate the New York Jets’ offense in an enviable spot. How can they pull it off?

The New York Jets have gotten a lot done this NFL offseason. But their work isn’t over yet.

Floating rumors continue to propose that the Jets may seek a trade with the Washington Redskins to acquire offensive tackle Trent Williams. Improvements have been made on the offensive line to the tune of adding Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, and George Fant. But adding someone like Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowler, could be a move that truly revolutionizes a Jets offense seeking traction for backfield saviors Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell.

How can they bring Williams in? ESM explores three possibilities…

Proposal 1: 3rd round pick (79th overall) for OT Trent Williams 

Washington is in need of a second day two draft pick, having traded their second-round choice in a pick swap with Indianapolis last year. The Jets are blessed with a miniature surplus, earning extra draft capital from the New York Giants at the 2019 trade deadline (from the Leonard Williams deal). There’s still plenty to work on when it comes to the Jets’ roster, but the solidification of the offensive line ensures that they don’t technically need as many draft picks as first envisioned. Essentially “drafting” Trent Williams in the third round with a pick obtained from the Redskins’ NFC East rival would a surprise to be sure, but one the Jets would hardly argue about.

Proposal 2: LB Avery Williamson, 6th round pick (211th overall) for OT Trent Williams

The Jets still have several names that could be let go in the name of cap savings. Brian Winters’ ousting would save them just over $7.2 million, but his starting experience and potential for depth might sway the team to let him stick around. More tenuous is the situation of linebacker Avery Williamson, who would add $6.5 million to the cap if bid farewell by June 1.

Matching savings would come to the Jets if they deal Williamson (entering the final year of a three-year, $22.5 million contract) in a trade. The Jets have done a decent job in bolstering their linebacker depth this offseason. They convinced Jordan Jenkins (career-high 8 sacks) to come back on a one-year deal (worth an astonishingly affordable $5 million), brought in C.J. Mosley’s Baltimore teammate Patrick Onwuasor, and welcomed back solid depth men Neville Hewitt and James Burgess. Thus, Williamson is a bit more expendable than he was a week or two ago. If that caveat helps the Jets give up a less valuable draft pick for Williams (the 191st was acquired from Kansas City for Darron Lee), that could play into their favor.

Proposal 3: 3rd round pick (79th overall), and/or 6th round pick (179th overall)/a player for OT Trent Williams and WR Trey Quinn

With the offensive line relatively bolstered, or at least in a far better position than it ever was in the Mike Maccagnan era, the Jets have other areas of their offensive to worry about. They’re in desperate need of receivers now that Robby Anderson has left for Charlotte. Le’Veon Bell may need depth behind him with both Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery up for free agency. The Jets can perhaps use a trade with the Redskins, provided they’re willing to give up a little more, to bolster these spots.

Quinn would be an intriguing developmental prospect that could flourish in an expanded role. 2018’s Mr. Irrelevant has dealt with injuries, but has shown potential in his brief time (35 receptions, 273 yards, 2 touchdowns). The Jets previously took on Washington system receivers Josh Doctson and Jehu Chesson. Further veteran secondary help on the Redskins’ depth chart includes cornerback Fabian Moreau.

As for who the Jets would give up in such a trade, it’s possible they could part ways with a veteran blocker (i.e. Jonotthan Harrison) or defender (John Franklin-Myers?). If it saves them valuable draft capital, that might be the way to go.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Two more New York Guardians are headed to the NFL

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New York Guardians linemen from both sides of the ball are getting the call to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

X apparently marks the spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The iconic NFL franchise is set to add two members of the New York Guardians to their roster. New York’s XFL squad announced that offensive lineman Jarron Jones and defensive lineman Cavon Walker received the call from the six-time Super Bowl champions on Wednesday.

Walker’s abbreviated XFL season ended with him as the league’s new sack king, leading the league with 4.5 quarterback takedowns. Three of those sacks came over the last two games, both New York victories. Walker previously partook in NFL preseason action during the summers of 2018 (Chicago) and 2019 (Kansas City). He has accumulated 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks over eight exhibition games. The Maryland alum was chosen in the eighth round of the “front seven” portion of the XFL Draft held last fall.

 

Jones’ New York arrival (first-round pick in the offensive line portion of the draft) was a slight homecoming, as the Notre Dame alum spent portions of the 2017 and 2018 preseasons with the New York Giants. He played both sides of the ball at both South Bend and East Rutherford but stuck to offensive duties with the Guardians. Jones was a starter on the New York offensive line, partaking in all five games.

With their debut season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, XFL players have been granted permission to agree to terms with NFL squads, though the players remain under contract with their former team until later this spring. Jones and Walker are the second and third players to agree to NFL terms. Cornerback Dravon Askew-Henry signed with the local Giants earlier this week.

The Guardians were 3-2 and locked in a first-place tie in the XFL’s East Division at the time of the season’s cancellation.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

New York Guardians CB Dravon Askew-Henry headed to the Giants

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New York Giants, Dravon Aksew-Henry

The defender is the first member of the New York Guardians to be picked up by an NFL squad after their season ended early.

Dravon Askew-Henry has found a new team, but the next step of his football journey will require little, if any, packing.

The cornerback became the first member of the XFL’s New York Guardians to get a call from the NFL. According to a report of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Askew-Henry was picked up by the New York Giants, the Guardians’ MetLife Stadium co-tenants.

The Guardians partook in the abbreviated debut season of the rebooted XFL, which began in February. They finished in a three-way tie for first place in the XFL’s East Division with a 3-2 record. New York won both of their games in East Rutherford and was coached by former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

Askew-Henry partook in four games with the Guardians, earning 12 tackles. The Guardians chose him in the fourth round of the defensive back portion of the 2020 XFL Draft. He mostly filled in as a slot cornerback and can also play in the nickel set.

The defender made a bit of infamous XFL history during the Guardians win over Los Angeles on February 29. After Askew-Henry was called for a penalty, he caught the flag thrown by the nearby official. In disbelief and frustration, he threw the flag back at him, earning an additional 15-yeard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

An alum of West Virginia, Askew-Henry earned six interceptions over four seasons in Morgantown. He notably earned two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, in a 2014 win over Oklahoma State in his freshman season. Askew-Henry appeared in 51 games for the Mountaineers, a program record.

This will mark Askew-Henry’s second endeavor in the NFL. He went undrafted in the 2019 selection proceedings, but partook in four preseason games with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He would tally eight tackles and one pass defense in that summer span.

In another New York football connection, Askew-Henry is the cousin of renowned former New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.

The XFL suspended play on March 12 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and officially ended its season last week. Players have been allowed to sign with NFL and CFL squads since Monday morning and Askew-Henry is one of several notable names to be scooped up. The league’s top quarterback, PJ Walker of the undefeated Houston Roughnecks, was added by the Carolina Panthers. Fellow thrower Jordan Ta’amu of the St. Louis BattleHawks was signed by the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags