New York Jets to sign wide receiver Donte Moncrief

The New York Jets have added another veteran wide receiver, this time signing Donte Moncrief.

The New York Jets have been hit by multiple injuries to wide receivers during camp, which prompted them to sign Chris Hogan a couple weeks ago. Now, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, they are planning to sign Donte Moncrief once he passes COVID-19 protocols.

Moncrief worked out for the Jets on Friday, so the move to sign him is coming quickly.

Moncrief spent the 2019 season with the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with a total of just four catches in eight combined games. A third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 out of Ole Miss, he spent his first four NFL seasons there. His best season came in 2015 (64 receptions for 733 yards and six touchdowns), and he set a career-high with seven touchdowns in 2016.

Moncrief spent the 2018 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he had 48 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns.

As a nod to the injuries they’ve had, Hogan has reportedly been working exclusively with the Jets’ first-team offense during recent camp practices. With rookie Denzel Mims (hamstring) in real doubt for Week 1, the Jets may open the season with Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Hogan as their clear top three wide receivers for Sam Darnold. Perriman has continued to miss practice with swelling in his knee though, so his status for the season opener may become a real question in short order.

Moncrief could wind up being fairly quickly let go as a final roster cut, or he could wind playing significant snaps in Week 1 (and beyond?). The Jets are clearly concerned about their wide receiver depth regardless, with multiple guys banged up, and as depth signings go Moncrief at least brings experience and some NFL success to the table.