The New York Jets made their first round of cuts on Monday and as expected, wide receiver Braylon Edwards was on the list of players handing in their playbooks. The Jets have until Tuesday to get their roster to 75 players, Edwards was cut a day early, announced by the team. The veteran had originally signing in the offseason after Santonio Holmes appears to still be injured. However, Edwards failed to fine a role in the Jets' offense ended up getting released.
Edwards had remained very adamant that he was still an elite receiver in the NFL. Once the No. 3 overall pick, Edwards produced his biggest numbers in 2007 when he recorded 1,289 and 16 touchdowns. The Jets only saw a fraction of that player. During his 2010 season in New York, Edwards caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns. He only managed 181 yards in his next three years with the team.
The move to release Edwards comes after the team signed Mohamed Massaquoi last week. Holmes is also coming off the PUP list, making the receiving depth chart look more improved than it did in July.
Massaquoi was just released by the Jacksonville Jaguars two days ago. In four years with the Browns, Massaquoi put up 1,745 yards and seven touchdowns. While Massaquoi has not exactly been impressive during his NFL career, he has not been terrible. A receiver capable of big plays, Massaquoi has yet to be part of a team with a proven quarterback. Not that the Jets have one, but he could turn out to be something great.
Having Holmes off the PUP list could mean the veteran is likely ready for the season opener. He has officially been cleared to practice and was spotted running on the sideline of the team's preseason game. Holmes took part in the team's warmups and caught passes from quarterback Geno Smith.
Prior to Massaquoi signing and Holmes being cleared, the starting wide receivers were Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill. While it is never easy to success as a New York Jets' wide receiver, having those two as starters were not helping in the success of the offense. While things are still not good, at least they got slightly upgraded.
Edwards' best shot at signing with a team is through an injury. Outside of the Jets, there was very little interest in the veteran. If he signs, it will be his third team in two seasons.