As an Australian, I had hopes that Valentine Holmes may make the New York Jets 53-man roster. As an Aussie who loves and follows the NFL very closely, I knew he never really stood a chance though.

While the media in Australia was very hopeful – in a similar manner to that of Jarryd Hayne – it wasn’t going to happen.







The Gang Green are stacked at running back with Le’Veon Bell, Bilal Powell, Ty Montgomery, and Trenton Cannon. They’re also covered at wide receiver – Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy and Greg Dortch.

At special teams the Jets appear to be going with Greg Dortch as a possible punt return specialist and Trenton Cannon as a gunner and likely kick returner, making Holmes’ quest to make the roster mission impossible.

Holmes turned down a rugby league contract worth more than $3.3m to chase his NFL dream. NFL practice squad players make around $136k. If Holmes clears waivers, he can sign on as the 11th member of the practice-squad roster as part of the International Player Pathway program.







What Holmes’ cutting from the Jets shows is just how difficult it is to make the 53-man roster. Just ask Englishman Christian Wade. Even a 65-yard touchdown in the preseason for the former rugby player wasn’t good enough to earn a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster.

It shows that it is near impossible to make an NFL team, specifically a skilled position, without being exposed to the American Football system from a young age. Skill positions require abilities in throwing, handling, catching, evasion and one of the most crucial skills – Football IQ – which is required to be able to read and exploit defensive weaknesses.

Now I know Jarryd Hayne made the cut with the 49ers. He got his initial shot primarily as a punt return and kick-off return specialist and was rather fortunate to get a shot at running back as the 49ers running back stocks were short.

Carlos Hyde, an ageing Reggie Bush and rookie Mike Davis were all the 49ers really had. Even an ineffective Mike Davis ended up taking Hayne’s spot on the roster as he had the ability to protect quarterback Colin Kaepernick, something Hayne wasn’t accustomed to as he didn’t have the footballing IQ of the others.

Whilst Holmes shot was merely a pipe dream as it seems let’s not take away what an exceptionally talented athlete he is. With that said though, it still wasn’t good enough to make the NFL.





