Undrafted receiver continues resurgence with TD catch in Jets' preseason win

Ralph Ventre

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Undrafted receiver continues resurgence with TD catch in Jets' preseason win image

His slow start to training camp is becoming a distant memory.

New York Jets second-year wide receiver Jason Brownlee has started stacking good plays and good days as he battles to retain the roster spot that he earned last summer as an undrafted rookie. The overlooked pass-catcher accounted for the Jets' lone touchdown reception in a 20-17 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders.

Brownlee capped an 80-yard first-half drive with a 12-yard grab on a pass from Andrew Peasley. Going up against Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., the receiver ran a fade route to the left on first down and the timing was perfect.

Exactly one week ago, Brownlee opened the scoring in the Green White practice in Florham Park. With Tyrod Taylor firing a 25-yard strike, Brownlee nabbed a touchdown catch inside the near front pylon over safety Ashtyn Davis.

"Brownlee's starting to come along. I'd say he got off to a little bit of a slow start in camp and he's starting to pick up. It looks like he's getting his legs underneath him. We're starting to see the speed that we saw a year ago, so he just needs to continue stacking those days up," said Saleh last Saturday.

The 25-year-old Brownlee made more noise in the team's next practice on Monday. He completed a nice catch from Aaron Rodgers to move the chains in a team period.

"For sure. He was off to a slow start. I think he would recognize and say the same thing, but I feel like over the past couple of days he's come on strong," said Saleh on August 5. "These next three weeks are going to be really big for a lot of guys in terms of you're going against different bodies, you're going against different coverages, you're in different environments."

The 6-foot-2 Brownlee logged 311 offensive snaps in seven games as a rookie. He caught 5 of 8 targets for 56 yards and one touchdown.

 

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Ralph Ventre

Ralph Ventre Photo

Ralph Ventre, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Prior to concentrating on Gang Green, he covered the NCAA DI Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Ventre remains an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and he also covers the Buffalo Bills on SI. The veteran sports media professional resides in his native state of New Jersey.