Jets Cut Down Recap: The Surprising and Not Surprising

Zach Kuntz. Photo Credit: Associated Press.

Not much surprises me anymore, but every year in the NFL when teams trim their respective rosters down to the mandatory 53 at the end of the preseason, most don't surprise me, but then there's a few moves that will take me aback--at least a little.

This brings me to the New York Jets cut down day, and after viewing who was waived/released, here are the moves that surprised me and the ones that didn't.

Surprising

Trey Dean III, S

Throughout camp and preseason, there was talk that Trey could not only make the final 53-man roster, but possibly be the starting safety opposite Jordan Whitehead. To see him on the list of final cuts was surprising. As a matter of fact, this one was the most surprising.

Zach Kuntz, TE

A 7th round pick from Old Dominion, he was one I really hoped made the team. I know there's more to the game than measurables, but with his freakish size (listed at 6-8, 251) and athleticism, I think he could've been a matchup nightmare for defenses--actually, that's still possible in the right situation.

Not Surprising

Zonovan Knight, HB

This one was the least surprising. Although he showed flashes last season, one, the signing of Dalvin Cook made the  running back room seriously crowded, two, he struggled in the preseason.

Travis Dye, HB

Like Zonovan, he struggled in the preseason. From what I saw, he looked as slow as his 40 time (4.82), and looked hesitant at times when hitting the hole.

Conclusion

The one consultation about these cuts is that there's a chance some of these players could make the practice squad. I'm thinking Trey Dean is one of their main targets, but from what I've heard and seen, signing him to the practice squad--the Jets are 13th on the waiver list--might be a long shot.

There's a possibility Zonovan could return with his experience on special teams, but the one I'm hoping they sign is Kuntz. I think there's a lot of potential there, if given the opportunity.

 

Why I Have Mixed Thoughts on the Jets Signing Dalvin Cook

 

Dalvin Cook. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports.

Of course, there's a lot of buzz going on--and the expectations just went up a few more octanes-- after the Jets announced the signing of Dalvin Cook about two weeks ago. The hoopla is understandable. He's, in my opinion, one of the top running backs in the league, and a four-time Pro Bowler.

I must admit, Dalvin being in a Jets uniform is almost surreal. I mean, there has been speculation about him possibly signing with the Jets for months, but (Jets GM) Joe Douglas made it happen.

Yet, with all of this, although it's a one-year deal, I have mixed thoughts on the signing. Talent wise, I love having Cook on the team, but there's Breece Hall, who was having an Offensive Rookie of the Year season before his injury last year, returning from the PUP after being put on the list a day earlier--that was fast--and I like the addition of 5th round pick Izzy Abanikanda. He was a monster at Pittsburgh, and I like what I've seen from him so far this preseason.

If Michael Carter can return to his rookie form or better, I don't know what happened to him last year, and with Zonovan Knight showing flashes, one, I wanted to see what these young guys can do--well, younger guys, Dalvin is 28--two, this makes the running back room is seriously crowded. There's not enough room for all of them.

At the end of the day, the deal is done, Dalvin Cook is on board, and it's a big-time addition. Let's make it happen!