The Jets have added a pair of players to their defense. The team announced that they have signed linebacker Brandon Copeland. The Jets also announced that they have re-signed defensive lineman Xavier Cooper.
Copeland, a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Penn, had spent the past three seasons with the Lions organization. After appearing in every regular season game between 2015 and 2016, the 26-year-old sat out the entire 2017 campaign with a pectoral tear. In 32 career games, Copeland compiled 30 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Earlier tonight, ESPN’s Michael Rothstein tweeted that the linebacker wouldn’t be returning to Detroit.
“Too many different levels of excitement to put into words,” Copeland said about the signing (via Ethan Greenberg of NewYorkJets.com). “Coming off of injured reserve, having to sit every Sunday, Monday and Thursday and watching other people play, I’m first and foremost excited to get back to the game that I love.”
Cooper was non-tendered by the Jets last week, but the defensive lineman will rejoin the organization on a new contract. The 2015 third-rounder split the 2017 season between the Jets and 49ers, compiling 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 13 games.
At this point, I am going to guess that the Jets still have around 25 million left in salary cap money.
I’m curious what amount Cooper signed for since he was non-tendered. An original-draft-round tender on him would’ve been $1.9M, I think, and if someone wanted to take him from the Jets, they would’ve owed the Jets a third-rounder.
They are building depth but still need a starting DE and some more talent on the OL and WR. They need a good draft with the QB at the top of the list obviously but other positions as well.
This is a reason why I am kinda against the trade up where they forfeited two 2nd round picks for this draft. Was hoping theyd use those picks to shore up the OL or split the picks between a DE and OG. Lets hope their 3rd and 4th round picks are good i guess
I was mad when I heard about that trade but after thinking about it they pretty much had to do it. They’ve got to get that franchise QB and the Bills may have jumped them. Hard to believe there could be four good QB prospects and that they could be gone before you pick at #6 But that could have happened.
I’m curious what the amount of Cooper’s contract is, since they could’ve given him an original-draft-round tender for $1.9M, I think. If someone wanted to pry him from the Jets, it would’ve cost a third-rounder.