Gang Green Nation
The New York Jets recently signed former Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos defensive back Tanner McCalister. Today we break McCalister down in detail.
The 25-year old McCalister is listed at 5’11” and 191 pounds and was undrafted out of Ohio State in 2022. He has played in six NFL games, registering three tackles.
Background
McCalister was a three-star high school recruit according to most services, although ESPN had him as a four-star recruit.
He headed to Oklahoma State in 2018 and played 25 games in a reserve role over his first two seasons. He had 11 tackles and a pass breakup in 2018 and 31 tackles and two tackles for loss in 2019.
Ahead of the 2020 season, McCalister moved from cornerback to safety, and made his first start in the second game of that season. He ended up starting the last 10 games and ended up with 41 tackles and five pass breakups.
He started all 14 games in 2021 and set career marks with 42 tackles and six pass breakups. He also intercepted the first pass of his career.
Having graduated, McCalister opted to enter the transfer portal and would spend the 2022 season at Ohio State. He started all 12 games and recorded a career-high three interceptions, along with 24 tackles.
Having not been selected in the 2022 NFL draft, he ended up with the Browns as an undrafted free agent. After final cuts, he was placed on the practice squad and was elevated three times during the season. He played 19 snaps and registered two tackles in those three games.
McCalister then signed a futures deal with the Denver Broncos, but again spent most of the year on their practice squad. He played three times and recorded one tackle, but was only used on special teams.
Denver signed him to another futures deal at the start of this season, but released him in June and the Jets added him early on in training camp. He has played for them in their first two preseason games.
Let’s move on to some more in-depth analysis of what McCalister brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
McCalister’s pro day numbers were pretty solid across the board. He ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, with above average explosiveness numbers and an impressive-for-his-size 22 bench press reps. His agility numbers were about average.
Usage
McCalister is a versatile player who has played both safety and cornerback. Where he has played cornerback, he has been mostly in the slot.
Having played running back and cornerback in high school, he was initially a slot cornerback at Oklahoma State but he played some safety in his sophomore year and then moved full-time to safety before his junior season.
At Ohio State, he played safety, although he was able to showcase his versatility by filling in at cornerback when they had some injury issues.
His only NFL regular season action has been in the slot but...
