Jets capitalize on massive mistake by the league following the 2025 NFL Draft, and it's big news for their new process
The New York Jets are starting a new era with general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. For that to succeed, they need to add young talented pieces, but resources are always limited for NFL teams.An effective way of overcoming the challenges is to hit on undrafted free agents, and the Jets might […]
The New York Jets are starting a new era with general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. For that to succeed, they need to add young talented pieces, but resources are always limited for NFL teams.
An effective way of overcoming the challenges is to hit on undrafted free agents, and the Jets might have just taken a player who should have been drafted, maximizing their process. It's Michigan running back Donovan Edwards.
This year's class was so strong for running backs that some would eventually go undrafted and still be talented players and potential contributors. Edwards is a big example of that—the 25th running back and 233rd overall player on the consensus big board.
According to Dane Brugler from The Athletic, Edwards had a sixth/seventh-round grade. It's the ideal investment for the Jets to address a non-premium position.
"A part-time player at Michigan, Edwards shared backfield duties in head coach Sherrone Moore’s run-heavy multiple run scheme. After a breakout sophomore season, he was viewed as a potential future top-100 pick by NFL scouts, but his junior and senior seasons fell well below expectations (yards per carry dropped from 7.1 in 2022 to 4.4 over the 2023-24 seasons combined).
Edwards is hyper-aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage, which allows him to make tight 90-degree cuts or explode to the second level when the hole is there, but his lack of patience and tempo often leaves him bottled up. Despite a career low in targets as a senior, he has large, accepting hands with the versatility to line up in the slot or out wide. Overall, Edwards’ inconsistent vision and contact balance as an inside runner will limit his role in the NFL, but his pass-catching skills could be his saving grace toward earning a roster spot. He projects as a change-of-pace runner with receiving versatility." — Dane Brugler.
Even though Donovan Edwards is not necessarily a full-time player, he added elements to Michigan's offense that can be replicated in the NFL. His best trait as a runner was his ability to exploit defensive holes in gap schemes. He also adds an important element to the passing game, and finished his college career with 797 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.
Edwards didn't complete the pre-draft tests, but he put up a 9.60 Relative Athletic Score. Despite being relatively undersized (5-11, 205 pounds), he had elite speed and explosion grades.
With Breece Hall being closer to hit free agency, the Jets are correctly looking at options to bolster the depth. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are the top ones right now, but Donovan Edwards could help build a strong room for offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Tracking the New York Jets’ undrafted free agent signings following the 2025 NFL Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror for the New York Jets, there is still some work to do on the roster. The Jets have about 10 roster spots still up for grabs as they get ready for training camp and it is likely most of those spots are filled with undrafted free […]
