National Football League

Jets sign draft picks Amaro, Saunders to deals

Published May. 16, 2014 2:29 p.m. ET

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) The New York Jets signed tight end Jace Amaro, their second-round draft pick, and wide receiver Jalen Saunders, a fourth-rounder, to four-year contracts Friday.

The Jets also claimed running back Daryl Richardson off waivers from the St. Louis Rams, who released him Thursday.

Amaro had 106 catches and seven touchdowns last season in Texas Tech's spread offense. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Amaro often lined up as a slot receiver and is expected to be an immediate key presence in the Jets' passing game.

Amaro was the first tight end in Big 12 history to catch 100 or more passes in a season and set the NCAA record at his position for yards receiving (1,352). His deal is believed to be for about $4.3 million, including a $1.3 million signing bonus, as per the usual rookie scale.

Saunders is a speedy receiver and punt returner who caught 123 passes in two years at Oklahoma after transferring from Fresno State. He had 61 catches for 729 yards and eight TDs last season, and added two scores on punt returns.

With the signings of Amaro and Saunders, the Jets have deals with nine of their 12 draft picks. Unsigned as of early Friday night were: safety Calvin Pryor, the team's first-round picks, along with third-round cornerback Dexter McDougle and sixth-round cornerback Brandon Dixon.

Richardson joins a suddenly crowded running backs room with the Jets, who already have Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Mike Goodson and Alex Green. Richardson was a seventh-round pick in 2012, and entered training camp last season as the starter but dealt with foot injuries and was surpassed by rookie Zac Stacy.

New York also announced it cut offensive lineman Tevon Conrad, who signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley State. Coach Rex Ryan said Conrad didn't pass his physical.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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