Jets signed one of the most valuable UDFAs following 2024 NFL Draft

Tyler Greenawalt

Jets signed one of the most valuable UDFAs following 2024 NFL Draft image

The Jets received mostly positive reviews from their 2024 NFL Draft class, anchored by their decision to take offensive lineman Olu Fashanu in the first round and trade up for wide receiver Malachi Corley in the third.

New York made seven total selections in the draft, but one of their best moves came after the final played was picked (by the Jets, no less). The Jets signed 10 undrafted free agents and finished sixth in total value, according to the consensus board. 

The best of the bunch, though, was 21-year-old defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III out of Miami. Taylor was the No. 117 ranked player on the consensus board, per Arif Hasan of "Wide Left," meaning he theoretically should have been drafted somewhere between the fourth and fifth rounds. Instead, he dropped all the way out of the draft and signed with the Jets.

Jets' Leonard Taylor III among the most valuable UDFAs

Taylor III, a 6-foot-3, 303-pound defensive lineman tallied six sacks, 22.5 tackles for a loss and 64 combined tackles in 25 games for the Hurricanes from 2021 to 2023. He also had 53 pressures on 870 snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had a fourth-to-fifth-round grade on Taylor and called him a "feast-or-famine interior lineman" whose "technique and fundamentals need work." Bleacher Report's Matt Holder confirmed the fourth-round grade and compared Taylor III to Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote that there is "untapped potential" with Taylor.

Taylor's inconsistent tape is a concern, as is his injury history. He had surgery to repair an injured shoulder, missed all of spring practices in 2023 and then the final two games of the season with an undisclosed injury. He also suffered a foot injury in 2022 that forced him to miss one game.

However, the pros outweigh the cons for Taylor. He's a big-bodied player in the middle of the defensive line who could see action in Year 1 if he can make a name for himself during rookie minicamp and in the training camp. The Jets don't need an interior defensive lineman, but the departure of John Franklin-Myers leaves a possible spot on the roster for Taylor.

Here are the top five most valuable UDFA's, according to the consensus draft board.

Player Position College Rank Team
Gabriel Murphy EDGE UCLA 111 Vikings
Leonard Taylor III IDL Miami 117 Jets
Beau Brade S Maryland 143 Ravens
Curtis Jacobs LB Penn State 159 Chiefs
Javion Cohen G Miami 169 Browns
Nelson Ceaser EDGE Houston 171 Seahawks
Gabe Hall IDL Baylor 180 Eagles
Dwight McGlothern CB Arkansas 189 Vikings
Dallin Holker TE Colorado State 193 Saints
Dillon Johnson PR Washington 202 Titans

Who is Jets UDFA Leonard Taylor III?

Taylor III was a five-star recruit out of Miami who committed to play for his hometown Hurricanes.

He played nine game as a true freshman and tallied 21 total tackles where he tied for the team with 7.5 tackles for a loss. Taylor III earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore in 2022 where he finished with 24 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Taylor's numbers dipped as a junior this past season, though. He only tallied 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and one sack.

Taylor left money on the table to go to the NFL, too. He would have made at least $600,000 in NIL money if he stayed at Miami, per Zach Soskin.

Jets 2024 UDFA class

Here is the full Jets UDFA class list:

Player Position College Status
Tyler Harrell WR Miami PFA
Geordon Porter WR UConn Minicamp
Chris Autman-Bell WR Minnesota Minicamp
Leonard Taylor III IDL Miami PFA
Braiden McGregor EDGE Michigan PFA
Tyreek Johnson EDGE South Carolina PFA
Jackson Sirmon LB Cal PFA
Jimmy Ciarlo LB Army PFA
Jarius Monroe CB Tulane PFA
Shyheim Battle CB North Carolina State PFA
Shemar Bartholomew CB Georgia Southern PFA
Tre Jenkins S San Jose State PFA

Tyler Greenawalt

Tyler Greenawalt Photo

 

Tyler Greenawalt is a contributing writer for The Sporting News after stops at Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports and Turner Sports. He’s worked in written, video, social media and augmented reality content since he graduated from Syracuse University in 2014. His favorite teams – the New York Jets, Orlando Magic and Tottenham Hotspur – always find new and exciting ways to disappoint him, and he consistently questions his fandom. You can follow his bad sports takes at @TyGreen14 on X.