Jets Waive WR ArDarius Stewart

The New York Jets have waived their 3rd round pick from the 2017 NFL draft, wide receiver ArDarius Stewart.

The Jets faced a 4:00 p.m EDT deadline today for activating the second year wide receiver from the suspended list. They declined to do so. Stewart was suspended for two games to start the NFL season due to violations of league drug policies. Stewart, the first of back to back wide receivers taken by the Jets in the 3rd and 4th rounds of the 2017 draft, struggled to make an impact at the NFL level. He managed just 82 receiving yards on just six NFL receptions and often seemed to be out of synch with the offense.

The 79th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Stewart becomes the highest selected player from that draft waived by any NFL team without being put on the injured reserve list. ArDarius Stewart joins 2017 4th round selection Chad Hansen, 5th round selection Dylan Donahue and 6th round selection Jeremy Clark among Jets 2017 draft picks already waived by the team. Clark was re-signed to the Jets practice squad; perhaps Stewart will follow him there if he clears waivers.

With 2017 5th round pick tight end Jordan Leggett currently buried at 4th string on the depth chart and a healthy scratch last week, the four waived 2017 selections, and 2017 6th round pick cornerback Derrick Jones an afterthought in the Jets defensive backfield, the 2017 draft is beginning to shape up as rather disappointing behind the first two selections, safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.