Gang Green take shot at Patriots’ castoff

The Jets have not had good luck picking up players discarded by the Patriots in recent years, but they grabbed another one Sunday.

The Jets claimed defensive end Kony Ealy off waivers a day after the Patriots cut him. Ealy joined the Patriots in March in a trade from the Panthers. New England sent their second-round pick to Carolina in exchange for Ealy and a third-round selection, but Ealy was not a fit in New England and Bill Belichick cut him loose.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ealy is best known for his Super Bowl 50 performance with the Panthers. He had three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in the loss to the Broncos. That was only 18 months ago, but Ealy is now joining his third team. Ealy started 47 games for the Panthers and has 14 regular-season sacks.

It is a bit of a peculiar move for the Jets, whose one strength is along the defensive line. How will Ealy fit in with Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Shel- don Richardson? The Jets may try to move Ealy outside and get a pass rush from him there, something they desperately need. It also could be a one-week tryout to see if they want to hold onto him or move on quickly.

Ealy and Richardson know each other well. They are cousins and played together in college at Missouri.

The Jets waived/injured defensive lineman Anthony Johnson to clear the roster spot. The Jets shipped out cornerback Dexter McDougle on Sunday morning, trading the 2014 third-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for safety Terrence Brooks.

McDougle was a member of the “Idzik 12,” the famed 2014 draft class that features way more misses than hits by former GM John Idzik. His career has been filled with injuries. He missed his rookie season with a torn ACL and played in just 20 games for the Jets, primarily as a special teamer.

There are now just two members of the 2014 draft class left on the Jets’ roster — Dakota Dozier and Quincy Enunwa, who is out for the season after neck surgery.

In a bit of an oddity, Brooks was the 79th overall pick in 2014 by the Ravens and McDougle was the 80th pick.

The Eagles claimed Brooks last September after the Ravens waived him. He played in 11 games with one interception and two forced fumbles. He has played in 34 games in his career, but never made a start.

The Jets were looking for depth at safety behind their two rookies — Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.