The New York Jets chose the younger, taller option at wide receiver.
The Jets reportedly worked out three pass-catchers on Thursday, including five-time Pro Bowl selection Jarvis Landry. According to multiple reports, New York passed on the chance to sign Landry while reaching an agreement with second-year pro Isaiah Winstead.
The 6-foot-4 Winstead is set to turn 25 years old on August 9 while the 5-foot-11 Landry will turn 32 later this year and has not played in an NFL game since 2022.
With seven training camp practices in the books, the Jets are missing sophomore wide receiver Xavier Gipson, who is sidelined with what appears to be a short-term leg injury. Veteran Allen Lazard also sat out Wednesday's practice due to "camp soreness."
Winstead has been looking for another NFL opportunity after competing for the UFL's Arlington Renegades this past spring. The collegiate journeyman spent the 2023 preseason as an undrafted rookie with the San Francisco 49ers. After not surviving roster cutdown day, Winstead joined the 49ers Practice Squad for the first 13 weeks of the regular season.
Following college stops at Norfolk State and Toledo, Winstead enjoyed a highly-productive 2022 campaign with East Carolina. As a graduate student, the native Virginian led the Pirates in receiving. He totaled 88 catches for 1,085 yards and six touchdowns.
Winstead apparently caught the 49ers' attention last spring by producing a viral social media post that showed the receiver moving impressively on the field. On Thursday evening, the receiver confirmed his signing on the site now known as X by reposting a news report and adding a "Thank you God!!" message to it.
Meanwhile, Landry claimed he is "still ELITE" during a post last month on X. He participated in the Jackson Jaguars rookie minicamp in May as a tryout player.
6’4 210 moving like this. No mini camp invite or UDFA deal. Behind the scenes on what I can do. With 88 catches & 1100 yds this past season… God makes no mistakes tho thank you in advanced 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/h4WE2hXI3Y
— Isaiah Winstead 🧛🏾♂️ (@Zayti99y_) April 30, 2023
