Set to assist the New York Jets’ depleted receiving corps, the veteran Moncrief spent last season with Pittsburgh and Carolina.
The #Jets are planning to sign veteran FA WR Donte Moncrief, source said, once he passes through his COVID-19 protocols. The former #Colts starter spent time with the #Panthers and #Steelers last year and recently worked out for NYJ, as well. He’ll provide depth.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2020
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the New York Jets are set to add veteran receiver Donte Moncrief. The receiver must first pass COVID-19 protocols before joining his new squad. Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.
Moncrief, who turned 27 earlier this month, entered the league as an early entry, third-round pick (90th overall) of the Indianapolis Colts in 2014. After four years in Indianapolis, he spent a year with the Jacksonville Jaguars before spending last season between Pittsburgh and Carolina. Overall, he has earned 2,561 yards on 204 receptions, good for 21 touchdowns, over six seasons so far.
Notably, Moncrief scored seven touchdowns in only nine games during the 2016 season while dealing with both a shoulder and hamstring issue. As a rookie, he earned a postseason touchdown with a 36-yard score from Andrew Luck in the Colts’ 26-10 win over Cincinnati in the wild-card round.
Fans of Moncrief’s new employers may remember him for a 67-yard touchdown against the Jets in a September 2018 get-together in Duval. Moncrief had a season-best 109 receiving yards in Jacksonville’s 31-12 win. To date, it’s his last 100-yard game.
Blake to Moncrief! 67 yards for the TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/WbNeaqQijf
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 30, 2018
Upon his arrival to camp, Moncrief, who also worked out with San Francisco, should help a depleted New York receiving corps that has been befallen by injury during their training camp proceedings. Potential top targets Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims have been dealing with injuries, as has undrafted standout Lawrence Cager. Head coach Adam Gase did mention that he expected Perriman to return to practice this weekend. Moncrief was one of several veteran receivers who auditioned to fill the gap. Kevin White was also in that group but the former first-round pick recently inked a deal with the aforementioned 49ers.
The Jets welcome back veteran slot man Jamison Crowder and also signed two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Hogan earlier this month. But beyond that, there is little experience, the rest of the roster populated by inexperienced veterans and undrafted free agents. Moncrief is expected to shore up that spot on the depth chart and add reliable hands to a developing offense.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags