Defensive lineman David Onyemata has agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $10.5 million with the New York Jets, according to a report from NFL insider Mike Garafolo.
Onyemata is a pending free agent and was allowed to negotiate with teams beginning on Monday. He cannot officially sign his deal until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 11.
The 33-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 48 games for the organization and starting 47 of them. He amassed 157 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and four batted passes with the organization.
Onyemata was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints out of the University of Manitoba. He played 106 games over seven seasons with the team, recording 244 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, six knockdowns, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception.
The six-foot-three, 300-pound defender was born in Lagos, Nigeria and immigrated to Winnipeg in 2011 to pursue postsecondary studies. He was recruited to play football for the Bisons despite never having played before and became one of the top players in U Sports, winning the prestigious J. P. Metras Trophy in 2015.
The Saints traded up on draft day to select Onyemata at 120th overall, dealing fifth-round picks in 2016 and 2017 to Washington to secure the necessary selection. The U Sports product has since earned over $65 million in the NFL.
