The slumping New York Jets have made a surprise move in the aftermath of their third straight loss.
The team announced Monday that it has released wide receiver Jalen Saunders, a fourth-round pick in May's draft. The Jets' filled Saunders' roster spot by signing veteran wideout T.J. Graham.
Saunders was inactive in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions, six days after he muffed a punt against the Chicago Bears. He is a candidate to land on the Jets' practice squad.
General manager John Idzik has not gotten a positive return on the three wide receivers he selected in the draft: Shaq Evans -- taken 10 picks after Saunders in the fourth round -- is on IR with a shoulder injury. Sixth-round pick Quincy Enunwa was waived on Sept. 2, was placed on the practice squad, and was arrested in a domestic violence incident that same week.
Saunders represented the closing of the books on the Jets' blockbuster trade of Darrelle Revis in 2013. The Jets sent Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a first-round pick in 2013 and a fourth-round pick in 2014. The Jets used the first-rounder on Sheldon Richardson, four picks after taking Dee Milliner as Revis' replacement.
Richardson was a home run. Milliner is an unknown. Saunders was a miss.
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