Elijah

Riley

Brightwell was released with a waived/injured designation. The three-year pro has contributed primarily on special teams and has just 52 offensive touches to his name. Brightwell was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 2021 and should have a chance to catch on with another team in training camp if healthy. In addition to the release of Brightwell, the Giants also signed safety Elijah Riley, who has spent the last two seasons with the Steelers in a backup role.

The Jets also announced the re-signings of CB Javelin Guidry, S Elijah Riley, and DE Tim Ward. All four players were exclusive rights free agents. Smith made 12 appearances for the Jets in 2022. He caught eight balls for 113 yards and picked up 60 additional snaps on special teams. Smith will be competing for a roster spot this summer.

As was the case with Chargers TE Donald Parham on Thursday, Riley seemed to be out cold. He was on the receiving end of a vicious collision. Thankfully, Riley did give a thumbs up as he was taken to the locker room. Riley has been an every-down player for the better part of the past month, so his loss further thins depth the Jets don’t have to begin with.

The Eagles now have just three running backs on their roster: Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles also waived/released DB Andrew Adams, OT Le’Raven Clark, DL Hassan Ridgeway, TE Richard Rodgers, DB Kevon Seymour, DB Grayland Arnold, OG Kayode Awosika, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jason Huntley, DB Craig James, DL Matt Leo, OG Iosua Opeta, WR Andre Patton, C Ross Pierschbacher, DB Elijah Riley, S JaCoby Stevens, and DL Raequan Williams.

For service academy players, it’s not always a given that they will enter the NFL draft like most seniors. As such, Riley (6'0/205) has made an official announcement that he has declared for the NFL draft. The declaration is not all that surprising given he has already accepted an invite to the East/West Shrine Bowl, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless. Riley has a chance to be a Day 3 pick come April.

Riley (6'0/205), coming off of a good 2018 season, likely cemented his status as a potential NFL Draft pick during the Black Knights’ overtime loss to Michigan on September 7. In that game the senior cornerback accounted for 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. For the season, Riley has accounted for 68 total tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles. There have been some questions regarding his positional fit at the next level, as Riley doesn’t have blazing speed, but there’s no denying his ability to make big plays in the secondary.

Riley (5'11/202) was exceptional on Saturday in the overtime loss to Michigan, picking up 13 tackles, a pair of sacks and forcing a fumble. Brugler notes there are questions about his speed, and there’s also the risk that comes with any service academy player. Brugler also notes that he may need to switch positions, but in his summary he writes that he’s “an instinctive playmaker with the nose for the ball that will earn him a chance to be drafted.”