The Jets might’ve found their replacement for linebacker Darron Lee with Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman.
New York selected Cashman with the No. 158 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. The Jets acquired the fifth-round pick in a deal with the Saints and moved further up in a trade with the Titans to take Cashman.
As a former preferred walk-on, Cashman played with a chip on his shoulder at Minnesota. He has a knack for finding the football, totaling 104 tackles in his senior season. For his efforts, he earned third-team all-conference honors.
However, Cashman has had three shoulder surgeries since 2016 with two of them on the left and one on the right. He has been rehabbing them throughout the year and doesn’t think it’ll be an issue going forward. However, Cashman’s injury history does present some cause for concern.
Cashman is projected to be a special teams player. He could potentially be a backup linebacker, but he has to put on some weight or else he’s going to have problems fighting off NFL offensive linemen.
The Jets didn’t have a need at inside linebacker, but did need some weapons on special teams after letting the likes of Kevin Pierre-Louis and Terrence Brooks walk this offseason. Adding depth behind C.J. Mosley and Avery Williamson doesn’t hurt, either.
Cashman will have to take advantage of offseason workouts and hit the weight room. If he can make some plays in training camp and throughout the preseason, he will find his way onto the active roster once the regular season kicks off.
Grade: B-
