Jets cut WR Jalen Saunders; sign WR T.J. Graham

The Jets announced a roster move today, cutting rookie 4th round pick WR Jalen Saunders and signing former Bills 3rd round speedster TJ Graham.

We have released WR Jalen Saunders and signed WR T.J. Graham.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 29, 2014

Saunders was drafted in the 4th round to give the Jets some juice in the return game, but instead was uninspiring at best returning punts and was of almost no use on offense.  After a muffed punt against the Bears on Monday Night, Saunders was a healthy scratch for the Lions game as the Jets used Walter Powell on punt returns.

Speedy TJ Graham was drafted out of NC State in the 3rd round in 2012 by Buffalo. He recorded 683 yards in his first two seasons, before failing to make the Bills roster in his 3rd season and was waived in the final cuts. The Titans picked him up, but Graham never made any appearances with Tennessee. You may remember Graham scoring a long touchdown on the Jets last year in the Bills 37-14 beatdown on the Jets after the bye week, when Dee Milliner failed to find the ball.

As disheartening as it is to see the Jets throw away a 4th round pick, this was probably the right move.  Saunders was extremely small for the NFL, did not have blazing speed, and did not show the requisite shiftiness and change of direction for a good punt returner. Sometimes, when a guy can't contribute, you know it very early. I myself have been on record saying that it was a mistake of a pick. Let's hope TJ Graham and his blazing speed can make a contribution. Saunders may be a practice squad candidate.