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Jets sign Stephone Anthony

NFL: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have signed linebacker Stephone Anthony.

Anthony was a first round pick of the Saints in 2015. The Saints then traded him to Miami for a fifth round pick in 2017. He spent part of this offseason with the Falcons before being released.

Some are describing this as a potential move to replace Avery Williamson, but I’m not sure that is necessarily accurate. The fact the Saints sold low on a first round pick after two years, and the Dolphins subsequently declined his fifth year option probably do not bode well for his chances of contributing. Additionally Anthony did not even play much for Gase last year. He saw only 27 snaps on the defensive side of the ball all season.

I think Anthony might have been signed for a potential special teams role instead. He was a core special teamer in Miami last season, playing over three quarters of the snaps. If Neville Hewitt slides into Williamson’s starting role, the Jets might want to play him less on special teams. That is where a guy like Anthony might contribute.