Braiden McGregor: A Closer Look

Edition #634.

Good morning! ☕

We’re going to continue our look at some of the UDFA’s the Jets brought in after the draft this week, starting today with Michigan man Braiden McGregor.

We’ve also got some quick throws on the best players U25 which has a glaring omission if you’re a Jets fan, or a knowledgeable football fan.

🟢 Warren Sharp had a good draft outlining the net rest days gained and lost on your opponent, and while the schedule is tough for the Jets they do have a +5 net rest day. That +16 for Baltimore is the biggest advantage any team has ever had since 1990.

⚪ Phase three of the off-season program started yesterday - “Over the first three weeks, the Jets and all NFL teams can conduct 10 days of organized team practice activities (OTAs). Players will remain out of pads and live contact will not be allowed; however, 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills are permitted. In Week 4, the offseason schedule wraps up with veteran minicamp.” What does this mean? It means we get to see super slow-mo plays like this:

🟢 PFF outlined the top 25 players under 25 and Sauce Gardner was pipped to the #1 spot by Penei Sewell - “Gardner, 23, already has a case as the best cornerback in the NFL. His 91.2 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons leads all players at the position, while his 2,163 regular-season snaps rank third among cornerbacks. Gardner's 0.52 receiving yards allowed per coverage snap figure not only leads the position, but the gap between him and second place is the same size as the gap between second and 15th.” Garrett Wilson also made the top 10, being listed at #9 - “Wilson had a quieter Year 2 in which he earned a lower PFF grade than in his rookie campaign, but the Jets' quarterback situation after Aaron Rodgers‘ early season-ending injury didn't help matters. Still, Wilson ranks 19th among wide receivers over the past two seasons in PFF overall grade (81.3).” It’s a little embarrasing for them that Breece Hall was nowhere to be seen on this list.

⚪ The 33rd Team ran a story on the most underrated players in the NFL and he names DJ Reed at the top of that list: “In his two seasons with the Jets, Reed has 21 passes defensed (T-24th) but just two interceptions. Those numbers are going to stand out. That adds to the underrated aspect of his game. He’s not a boom-or-bust corner. Reed often plays with good technique that allows him to stay on the receiver and not give up many big plays — if he allows a target at all. A worse corner would make life harder on Gardner and the Jets. Reed doesn’t just avoid that; he makes life easier. He doesn’t get enough credit for that, so he tops this list.”

A lot of draft outlets had McGregor going in the 5th round, but after Mr Irrelevant was named, the Michigan defensive end was still looking for a home. The Jets pounced quickly, making him a priority signing during the undrafted process. Draft analysts loved his pedigree, his explosion, his speed, his hand placement, but questioned whether he had the length or the strength to stick in the NFL.