The Jets brought in free agent LB Jon Alston for a visit on Thursday, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

Alston, a four-year veteran, wasn’t tendered by the Raiders, making him an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any NFL team. A former third-round pick out of Stanford by the Rams, he had 23 tackles last season in nine games, four starts, before going on injured reserve following a pair of concussions.

The Jets likely view him as a back-up outside linebacker and special teams performer.

Hold up a sec, if the Jets are playing a 3-4, even a madcap Rex Ryan 3-4 then a 6-0 220 lb OLB shouldn’t be exactly what the team is looking for, unless it’s in substitution packages like a nickel or whatever. First and foremost, I do agree that his role would be as a special teamer, something the team is likely looking to fill with the losses or Murrell, Wright and Izzo. Beyond that, consider that Rob Ryan was the DC in Oakland for a while, so should know how to use him, and would likely share that information with his twin brother.

At that size, I’d more expect to see him in a 46 safety. There was even a report last year of the Raiders using Alston in a 4-4 alignment in practices/warmups.

From thejetsblog.com. Please read the complete article and let us know what you think below.