The New York Jets have re-signed another player as Week 1 of free agency continues.
Gang Green announced that it has re-signed linebacker/special teamer Mykal Walker.
Walker, 28, was a fourth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 NFL draft.
The Fresno State product spent three seasons with the Falcons, appearing in 49 games (20 starts). Following his three-year stint with the team that drafted him, Walker struggled to make his mark, bouncing around the league while spending time on five practice squads.
After signing with the Jets in September, Walker carved out a major role on special teams. In 14 games, Walker finished second on the team with 302 special teams snaps, trailing only Andrew Beck, who was also recently re-signed by New York. Walker led the Jets with 11 special teams tackles, while not missing any tackles in that phase.
As injuries began to pile up down the stretch for New York, Walker stepped into a larger role on defense and performed extremely well. Through the season’s final five games, the former Falcon played 136 defensive snaps and was the eighth-highest graded linebacker at Pro Football Focus (80.4 overall grade). He racked up 17 tackles without a single missed tackle.
Walker is the fifth player the Jets have re-signed this offseason, joining offensive tackle Max Mitchell, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, interior offensive lineman Xavier Newman, and fullback/special teamer Andrew Beck.
Over the summer, the 28-year-old will have a chance to earn one of the team’s rotational linebacker roles behind expected starters Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood. In the meantime, Walker, along with Beck, will aim to help the Jets replicate their historically dominant special teams performance.