The New York Jets kept only two tight ends on their initial 53-man roster, and fullback Nick Bawden was released in July.
For a Nathaniel Hackett offense, it seems highly unlikely the Jets move forward with only two available tight ends, especially without a fullback in the mix. New York is almost definitely scouring the lists of cuts from around the NFL in an attempt to fill its TE3 spot.
Here are four veteran tight ends who became available on Tuesday. They are not required to clear waivers prior to signing with a new team.
Stephen Carlson
Arguably the least exciting option of the four featured veterans, Carlson offers little as a pass-catcher but can run block and contribute on special teams. The 27-year-old Princeton product appeared in one game for the 2023 Chicago Bears.
Carlson made 25 appearances for the Cleveland Browns over a two-year span (2019-20). He went on Injured Reserve in 2021 and did not play in an NFL game again until last season.
Donald Parham
The undrafted Stetson product spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are under new management in 2024. The 27-year-old Parham made 47 regular season appearances, including 23 starts.
The 6-foot-8 target averages 11.4 yards per reception. Eleven of his 67 career catches have gone for touchdowns.
Eric Saubert
The journeyman tight end has played in regular season games for six different teams since being drafted as a fifth-rounder by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. Saubert signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent this past April, but did not survive cutdown day.
Saubert, who played in 34 consecutive games for the Denver Broncos in 2021 and 2022, has made 84 career appearances. The 30-year-old has made 36 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
Irv Smith
Smith Jr. has yet to live up to the hype of being the No. 50 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he has shown his ability on multiple occasions. The Alabama product made at least 30 catches for 300+ receiving yards in each of his first two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before his career was interrupted by a torn meniscus in 2021.
After logging 330 offensive snaps in 12 games with the 2023 Cincinnati Bengals, Smith signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in March. He has 10 touchdowns and 53 first downs over 49 appearances.
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• Jets' former starting quarterback landing on Bills' Practice Squad
• Highly-touted undrafted rookie earns preseason plaudits in Jets' roster bid
• Ex-Jets' franchise quarterback dominates in Denver's exhibition win
