The New York Jets hosted 12 free-agent tryouts on Tuesday, and it's not hard to figure out the theme -- special teams.

They worked out seven placekickers, one punter and four kick returners, including Dri Archer and Trindon Holliday.

Archer is the most intriguing name. A third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, he's a 5-foot-8 speedster who averaged 25.3 yards per kickoff return before getting cut after eight games this season. Holliday, a 5-foot-5 blur, has played for five teams, including the New York Giants. They also worked out Tandon Doss (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Damaris Johnson (Houston Texans).

Dri Archer was averaging 25.3 yards per kickoff return this season before getting cut by the Steelers. AP Photo/Ed Zurga

The Jets are hurting for a kickoff returner. They lost their top two, Chris Owusu and Zac Stacy, to season-ending injuries, so now they're down to Kenbrell Thompkins, Devin Smith and Antonio Cromartie. Smith cost them a touchdown with his fumble in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills, so the coaches probably will be hesitant to go back to him. Cromartie is returning from a thigh injury, so he's not the best candidate.

As for the heavy interest in kickers, the Jets probably are gathering information for their contingency list. Randy Bullock, signed last week to replace Nick Folk, didn't have any hiccups in his Jets debut. None of the free agents are experienced veterans. The only notable is Andrew Furney, who spent time in the Jets' training camp. The others: Corey Acosta, Michael Barnard, Tommy Frevert, Zach Hocker, Marvin Kloss and Giorgio Tavecchio.