The New York Jets signed third-round draft pick and former USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga to his rookie contract.
The New York Jets signed third-round draft pick Chuma Edoga to a rookie contract the team announced via Twitter Thursday. The Jets drafted him despite some character concerns as he missed games in college due to violations of team rules.
We’ve signed 3rd-round pick Chuma Edoga. #TakeFlight
? https://t.co/SCR3fq8GgL pic.twitter.com/eLhvMKMhxa
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 27, 2019
Former general manager Mike Maccagnan overlooked the concerns and bet on the talent when he used a third-round pick, the highest he ever used on an offensive lineman (a position he neglected during his tenure).
“I like to use my athleticism and play with aggressiveness, try to get off the ball and hit somebody in the mouth,” Edoga told Randy Lange of NYJets.com.
He has experience at both tackle positions and feels he can play “wherever the coaches need me to play.”
He’ll have an opportunity to earn a starting job in training camp next month. Entrenched tackles Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell are both solid but unspectacular players and new coach Adam Gase would probably like to upgrade from one of them if Edoga shows he can handle NFL edge rushers.
Edoga was a teammate of Sam Darnold at USC and spoke about how excited he is to rejoin his former teammate in the NFL. “I blocked for Sammy D in college and to block for him in the NFL, it’s a blessing, a dream come true.”
Darnold, who showed talent last year and should improve with improved offensive line play, is confident in his former college (and current NFL) teammate will be an impact player on the offensive line.
“I’m just really excited for him, just as a friend, for him to be able to get drafted where he was drafted and for us to take a chance on him, I think it’s going to pay off for this organization in the future,” Edoga said. “I see him really excelling in the NFL.”
Edoga will hope to earn the right to once again protect his college buddy from pass rushers. If he shows his maturity issues are behind him and becomes a key cog in the offensive line, it will go a long way in helping the Jets reach their goals.
