The Jets have claimed Derrick Kindred off waivers from the Colts, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This marks the second time in 2019 that Kindred has been plucked from the waiver wire.
Kindred, who was selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, was waived by Cleveland on April 1. The Colts claimed him but elected to cut ties yesterday after rostering him for nearly five months.
The Jets have elected to give the TCU product a chance, and they liked him enough to put themselves on the hook for his $2MM 2019 salary. While the club has Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams entrenched at the safety positions, Kindred could provide quality depth there, especially since Maye was only recently removed from the PUP list. Theoretically, Kindred could also see some action at corner — which is currently a glaring weakness for Gang Green — and he is likely to be deployed on special teams as well.
Kindred appeared in 42 games over three years in Cleveland. Last year, he had a perfect attendance record and registered 45 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble. In New York, he will reunite with Gregg Williams, who served as the Browns’ defensive coordinator in 2017 and the first part of 2018 before taking over as the club’s interim head coach.
The Jets waived DB Montrel Meander in a corresponding move.
Jets get KINDRED spirit !!