McDougle traded for Eagle safety
ANOTHER player in the Idzik 12 has been shipped out of New York. The Jets on Sunday morning traded cornerback Dexter McDougle — a 2014 third-round pick under former GM John Idzik — to the Eagles in exchange for safety Terrence Brooks, who was also selected in the third round of the 2014 draft.
Of the 12 players Idzik drafted in 2014, only two remain with the club: backup offensive lineman Dakota Dozier and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa. Enunwa is expected to miss all of 2017 because of a neck injury.
Mike Maccagnan traded the Jets’ 2014 firstround pick, safety Calvin Pryor, in the spring after drafting safeties in the first two rounds this year.
McDougle struggled through an injury-riddled three years with Gang Green. He only played three games in his senior season at Maryland because of a shoulder injury. The Jets nonetheless took a chance in the early rounds on the speedy defensive back, but McDougle tore his ACL in practice that August. He missed his entire rookie season. McDougle returned the following year and played in 14 games, recording six total tackles and a pass defended.
Last summer, McDougle battled a hamstring strain and failed to make the final cut for the 53-man roster. He spent most of the campaign on the practice squad before being called up in November. He played six games and finished with one combined tackle.
McDougle entered camp this year in noticeably better shape, and that translated into tangible results. He secured multiple interceptions in 11-on-11 drills, broke up three passes in the preseason opener against the Titans and drew praise from coach Todd Bowles.
“He came back in great shape,” Bowles said. “He’s been working hard. He’s getting a chance to play and he had the preseason game, so he just has to keep getting better.”
Added Bowles of McDougle: “He’s finally comfortable. He’s finally healthy first of all. He’s had some nicks the last couple of years that’s kept him off the field and he’s missed a significant amount of time. But now he’s back, he’s healthy and he came in in great shape and it’s showing.”
Apparently, that wasn’t enough to keep him on the squad.
Brooks was drafted by the Ravens in 2014 out of Florida State. He spent two years in Baltimore before joining the Eagles last season, forcing two fumbles and making one interception.
MIDDLETON ON IR
The Jets lost backup safety Doug Middleton to a torn pectoral muscle in the win over Tennessee Aug. 12. Middleton was placed on injured reserve. The Jets and Eagles face off Thursday in the teams’ preseason finale.
PAT ANSWER
The Jets claimed former Patriots DE Kony Ealy off waivers Sunday. Ealy is cousins with Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. They waived/injured DL Anthony Johnson in a corresponding move.