Jets' Safety Trey Dean 'UDFA Most Likely to Make Roster'

Former Florida Gator viewed as undrafted rookie with best chance of securing 53-man spot

Twitter / @__TD3

Trey Dean has Southeastern Conference pedigree to go along with a history of making plays while competing in college football's top-ranked league.

After earning five varsity letters at Florida, the battle-tested safety appeared on track to hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft. Six of his Gator teammates were drafted, but no team decided to use a pick to secure Dean's services.

Dean, who won the 2023 East West Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP award, likely saw his draft stock take a hit as a result of his 40-yard dash time. His 4.75-second performance ranked last out of 18 safety prospects participating in the NFL Combine.

Despite failing to show adequate straight-line speed, Dean managed to prove his strength by leading the safeties with 25 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

The Jets liked what they saw from Dean enough to ink the 6'2" safety to a rookie deal that features $100,000 in guaranteed money, including a $10,000 signing bonus (according to OverTheCap).

There also seems to be an opportunity for Dean to stick with Gang Green, so much so that rookie landed on the FanNation NFL league-wide list of "Undrafted Rookie Free Agents Most Likely to Make Roster."

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From the 'FanNation All 32' post:

New York Jets

UDFA most likely to make the roster: Trey Dean, S, Florida

Dean was a five-year producer at an SEC school and the versatile safety may be the quintessential diamond in the rough at a position of need. The Jets did not re-sign FS Lamarcus Joyner, vacating a spot in the room. The 6'2" Dean, who can play both safety roles, carried a sixth-round grade, but went undrafted likely due to a 4.75-second 40-yard dash time. Despite the disappointing 40, Dean impressed in other areas of the pre draft testing process. He topped all safeties at the Combine in the 225-pound bench press (25 reps) after snagging an interception during the East West Shrine Bowl game.

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There has been plenty of news surrounding the Jets' safeties group in recent days, and it will presumedly affect Dean's chances of snagging a roster spot.

It started when Gang Green reportedly released safety Will Parks on June 8. 

Next came the late free-agent signing of eight-year starter Adrian Amos, who played the last four years with the Green Bay Packers, on June 13. Then, later on Tuesday, news reports surfaced about a possible season-ending injury for Jets' safety Chuck Clark.

After trading for Clark, who had spent his entire NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets showed the intention to start the veteran alongside incumbent starting strong safety Jordan Whitehead.

Should Clark be deemed out of commission for 2023, the Green & White's second-string safety duties would fall on 2022 undrafted signee Tony Adams and 2020 third-round pick Ashtyn Davis, who has underwhelmed thus far as a pro. Rookie sixth-rounder Jarrick Bernard-Converse is also in the mix, but he was more of a safety-cornerback hybrid coming out of LSU.

It is not inconceivable for Dean to steal that fourth safety spot or even convince the Jets to keep five on their active roster.

Really Beat The Odds🎲 , I’m Doing Everything They Said I Can’t #ThankYouGOD pic.twitter.com/uorP7oBeSn

— Trey Dean (@__TD3) June 6, 2023

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