Jets To Sign WR Terrelle Pryor

The Jets have agreed to sign wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, reports Calvin Watkins of Newsday (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first indicated Pryor was nearing a deal with New York.

Pryor didn’t exactly pick the right time to hit the open market, as he’s coming off a lost campaign with the Redskins. After starring with the Browns in 2016, Pryor inked a one-year deal with Washington after reportedly rejecting offers from Cleveland. Before landing on injured reserve in November, Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games (two starts).

But Pryor wowed during his first full season as a wide receiver, putting up an astounding 77/1,007/4 with the Browns in 2016. That upside allowed Pryor to create something of a market for himself following a disastrous year in the nation’s capital. The Browns and Rams each expressed some level of interest in the 28-year-old, but Pryor was deciding between the Jets and Seahawks as of Wednesday.

New York was clearly looking at affordable wide receiver additions, as the club met with both Allen Hurns and Charles Johnson over the past week. With Pryor on board, it appears less likely the Jets will pursue either of those options, as the club also pass-catchers Jermaine Kearse, Robby Anderson, Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, and Quincy Enunwa on their roster.

Despite his down 2017 output, Pryor should be in line to start for Gang Green. Anderson, for his part, has been arrested twice this offseason and could be facing a league-imposed suspension, while Enunwa is recovering from a serious neck injury. Given that Hansen and Stewart — both of whom are entering their second NFL seasons — don’t offer much experience, Pryor could be in line for starter’s reps. And given that New York played 63% of its offensive snaps with three wide receivers on the field a season ago, Pryor should see plenty of action, regardless.

With both Pryor and fellow wideout Mike Wallace coming off the board today, the second-tier of free agent receivers is rapidly thinning. At present, the best pass-catchers who remain unsigned include Hurns, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker, Brice Butler, and Dontrelle Inman.

[RELATED: Jets Depth Chart]

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