That can't be! I mean thousands of Jets fans screamed that there was no way that he would make it through waivers! LOL
Just that Valladay was with the Steelers all camp and Jones was with Tennessee. Guess we'll see if they stick on the PS or not.
Bam to the Lions. Sucks but I'm sure he saw the writing on the wall here and went elsewhere to get an opp. But not how much better that opp will be there considering they just drafted Gibbs and signed David Montgomery to a decent contract.
Video of Valladay: https://X.com/JetsPicks/status/1647766885864202241?s=20 Supposedly he has both speed and power. I found the following two tidbits about Valladay. Aug 15, 2023 1:13 PM EDT LATROBE -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding another running back to their 90-man roster, signing Xazavian Valladay, according to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. The Arizona State product comes to Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie. He wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, but did run a 4.46 40-yard dash during his Pro Day. Valladay started his college career at Wyoming, rushing for 3,274 yards and 19 touchdowns. In his sole season at Arizona State, he rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns. Over his five-year career, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. *** The Steelers are waiving running back Xazavian Valladay as part of their final roster cutdowns on Tuesday, the team announced. Valladay was an athletic running back with speed and acceleration that no one other than Anthony McFarland had on the team. However, he came into the process late, only playing with the Steelers for two of their preseason games. The team signed Valladay after an injury to John Lovett prevented Lovett from sticking around on the Steelers roster. Over those two games, Valladay racked up 25 snaps, posting 12 carries for 30 yards over those two games. Valladay showed elite speed in the pre-draft process, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and posting a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-3 broad jump. His overall Relative Athletic Score came in at a 9.46 out of 10. **** That makes Valladay sound like a typical Jets prospect, fast and athletic, and sounds like a good scheme fit.
https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-arizona-state-xazavian-valladay From Sports Illustrated: LATROBE -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding another running back to their 90-man roster, signing Xazavian Valladay, according to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. The Arizona State product comes to Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie. He wasn't invited to the NFL Combine, but did run a 4.46 40-yard dash during his Pro Day. Valladay started his college career at Wyoming, rushing for 3,274 yards and 19 touchdowns. In his sole season at Arizona State, he rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns. Over his five-year career, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Valladay comes into Pittsburgh with a week left of training camp and two more preseason games. He'll compete with Anthony McFarland, Darius Hagans and Greg Bell for the final roster spot behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/xazavian-valladay-511524ae-3f82-4d74-9196-f8fde6ddcadf/ From thedraftnetwork.com: Xazavian Valladay NFL Draft Scouting Report RB, Arizona State Sun Devils Xazavian Valladay originally started his career at Wyoming before transferring to Arizona State for the 2022 season. Valladay’s 2022 season at Arizona State was his most productive season, rushing for 1,192 yards, 16 touchdowns, and receiving for another 289 yards and two touchdowns. Valladay is a quick accelerating back that can get vertical and create a big play with only a small crease in the defense. Valladay’s best usage appears to come on run plays designed to attack the edges of the defense. This is where Valladay can use his speed to attack the outside and has shown multiple times the ability to turn the corner and outrun defenders to pick up significant yardage. Valladay has a long stride and appears to effortlessly outrun defenders at times. Valladay has a slashing, one-cut type of running style that could be an effective tempo switch-up as a complementary back to a more traditional running back. Valladay has a lean frame that combined with his upright running style limits how much power he can run with. Valladay’s ability to break tackles and contact balance both appear to be average and his usage as an in-between-the-tackles runner did not provide the same results as when Valladay was utilized as a runner who attacks the edges. Ultimately, Valladay has many likable traits as a runner, but his value as running back will vary from team to team. Valladay will be best utilized in an outside running scheme where he can use his best asset: his speed. Valladay’s usage in the passing game has been minimal, but if he can prove to have value running routes and being a receiving threat out of the backfield, it will further help his value as a player in the NFL. Top Reasons to Buy In: Speed One-cut explosiveness Top Reasons For Concern: Lean Frame Contact balance Straight-line runner Size (TBD): Height: 6000 Weight: 200 lbs
16 player squads Practice squads were limited to 10 players in 2019, but that was set to change with the new CBA. The number was going to 12 players for 2 years, and then was going to be increased to 14 players in 2022. That all changed when the uncertainty of COVID-19 hit, and the league increased practice squads to 16 players which will once again be the limit in 2023. Practice squad players moving up to the main roster Teams now have more flexibility with using practice squad players on game day. PS players can be activated on game day before the team announces their inactives (90 minutes before game time). The player doesn’t have to be elevated from the PS to the main roster for the move. This can happen with up to two practice squad players per week. A player is now able to be elevated three times per season. To be activated a fourth time requires the player to be signed to the regular roster. This was a big change from past rules, and makes it easier for teams to have players they know and trust on game day, and also not have to subject them to waivers when they are signed to the main roster and cut to get back to the practice squad. Veteran players Another change over the last three years is the eligibility requirements for veteran players. Previously teams could have up to 4 players who had two years of NFL experience. Now teams can have 6 veterans with no limit on the amount of accrued seasons they have in the league. Weekly payment Practice squad players make $12,000 per week or $216,000 for 18 weeks. Veteran players with over two years of experience will make a minimum of $16,100 per week or $289,800 for 18 weeks, and a maximum of $20,600 per week or $370,800 for 18 weeks. Signing with the practice squad Teams must complete their roster cuts by Tuesday August 29th at 4pm, meaning that almost 1,200 players will be released, or placed on an injury list. Teams have until Wednesday at 12:00 noon to claim unvested players that have been waived. Vested veterans (players with a minimum of 4 accrued seasons) will be free agents immediately and are able to sign with any team. Starting at 12:00 pm ET on August 30th, teams can begin signing players to their practice squads. Practice squad basics Practice squad players practice with the team. They do not play in games, unless they are elevated (see above) Practice squad players are paid per week and can be released at any point during the season. Practice squad players are free to sign with other NFL teams, but they have to be signed to the 53-man active roster of the acquiring team. A practice squad player cannot be signed to another practice squad unless he is first released or waived. A practice squad player can not sign with his team’s upcoming opponent, unless he does so six days before the upcoming game or 10 days if his team is currently on a bye week. If a practice squad player is signed to the active roster, he will receive a minimum of three weekly paychecks, even if he is released before spending three weeks with the new team. In order to be signed to a practice squad after being released, a player who is not a vested veteran must first clear waivers, and is subject to waiver claims by other teams. https://www.hogshaven.com/2023/8/28...ctice-squad-rules-eligibility-salary-and-more
I am surprised Tanzel didn't get a shot with another team. I thought he had a strong case to make an NFL roster but fell short with the Jets because of the elite depth. Also, in Hard Knocks, Rodgers confirmed my suspicion that he wouldn't tolerate guys running incorrect routes. The cut WRs and TEs almost certainly were not on their marks.
