Jets Claim DE Kony Ealy From Patriots

The Jets have claimed defensive end Kony Ealy off waivers from the Patriots, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

New York owned the sixth slot in the waiver priority list, meaning Ealy didn’t slide far before being claimed. Indeed, Garafolo reports a number of clubs were putting in research into Ealy before the waiver window closed (Twitter link). Given that teams can roster as many as 90 players until this weekend, the Jets felt it worthwhile to acquire a player with a second-round pedigree at no cost.

Ealy, 25, doesn’t look like a contender for a starting role along the Jets’ talented defensive line, but he could compete for backup snaps. New York, of course, already boats Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Steve McLendon, but Ealy could see playing time as a rotational edge rusher.

Last season, Ealy appeared in all 16 games (six starts) for the Panthers and managed six sacks in that time. Carolina traded him to the Patriots following the season, moving up eight spots in the draft in exchange for sending Ealy to New England. Expected to play a large role for the Pats, Ealy didn’t even make to final cuts, and was waived on Saturday.

Ealy’s 2017 base salary is not guaranteed, and his signing bonus proration is still the responsibility of the Panthers, so adding him is a complete no-risk move for the Jets.