Gang Green Nation
Over the next few months, we’ll be breaking down all undrafted free agents signed by the Jets. We continue today with a look at wide receiver DT Sheffield.
The 25-year old Sheffield is listed at 5’7” and 175 pounds and was undrafted out of Rutgers. He caught 44 passes for Rutgers last year having transferred from North Texas where he was an all-AAC first-teamer. He also played for Washington State and at the JUCO level.
Background
Sheffield was a quarterback in high school and was not heavily recruited, so he opted to play at the JUCO level for Northwest Mississippi CC.
He had 20 catches for 358 yards and five touchdowns in a pandemic-shortened six-game season in 2020, then broke out with 57 catches for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. This earned him NJCAA all-American first team honors and he was also named an all-MACCC first-teamer.
In 2022, Sheffield had 58 catches and 11 touchdowns but his yardage total dropped to 776. He was once again an all-MACCC first team selection and an honorable mention all-American.
In 2023, he finally earned a long-awaited shot at the FBS level but would last just two games with Washington State, for whom he caught five passes.
Having transferred to North Texas, Sheffield broke out and earned all-AAC first-team honors in 2024 as he had 66 catches and 822 yards and let the conference with 11 touchdowns. He was named as an all-AAC first-teamer as a receiver and third-teamer as a return specialist.
His final season saw him transferring again, this time to Rutgers. He had 44 catches, 577 yards and five scores in his lone season with them.
Sheffield was not expected to be drafted and the Jets signed him to an undrafted free agent contract that included low guarantees.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Sheffield brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
We recently broke down Caullin Lacy, who we described as undersized, but Sheffield is even smaller. However, he displayed good strength for his size with 15 bench press reps at his pro day.
His other athletic numbers were also good as he ran 4.45 and posted good explosiveness and agility numbers, including a 42-inch vertical jump.
Usage
Sheffield has played almost exclusively in the slot during his career and is also someone who can be effective going in motion.
He carried five times for 83 yards at the FBS level, with 75 of those coming on a touchdown run.
Deep threat
Sheffield’s speed and acceleration mean he can get downfield and be a deep threat and he has had a handful of big plays down the field over the past two seasons. He shows a good ability to locate and track with the ball in the air.
Hands
Sheffield posted a respectable 65 percent catch rate over the course of his career and has shown he can make some tough catches in traffic.
However, he can be a bit...
