Now that the preseason is over, we can look back from the start of training camp and see where the Jets are and what they have. Here are a few observations on offense.
quarterback
Aaron Rodgers is, of course, the beginning and end of that conversation. Rodgers was not seen in the preseason, but the future Hall of Famer was worked hard in practice. Those who witnessed the practices said that Rodgers and the first team offense got an inordinate amount of reps against the first team defense in training camp. That kind of work against a top-five defense, even without the kind of beating you’d see in the game, is still far better preseason preparation than a preseason game where most of the opponent’s regulars aren’t playing on defense.
Tyrod Taylor is the Jets’ backup. He’s been in the NFL since 2011, so he’s seen it all. He has over 12,000 passing yards with a 65:29 TD to INT ratio, so he didn’t need the preseason work either. He was a starter for the Bills for three NFL seasons and a backup for the rest of his career. He’s the perfect complement to Rodgers, as he’s a consummate professional who’s well prepared to come off the bench quickly when needed. He’s also a great teacher for young quarterbacks, as he has great insight as a starter and backup.
The Jets probably won’t have a third quarterback, but one or two will definitely be on the practice squad. Even though he was a late addition to training camp, I think Adrian Martinez showed a lot of grit when he was in at quarterback. He can get a first down with his arms and legs, which can be helpful. Andrew Peasley had his moments, but he’s a rookie with a lot to learn, so he’s low on my list of practice squad hopefuls. Just a note that the Dolphins released former Jets backup Mike White, so he could be a possible practice squad player as well.
Jordan Travis may have an IR season or at least a 4-week spot on the short-term NFI list, but we can be sure that this is a redshirt year for Travis. He will never be on the field.
Run back
The situation at running back is almost as clear as the one at quarterback, where Breece Hall is the clear starter. Braelon Allen has shown impressive performances when needed and could be a powerful RB near the goal. He has solid hands, is well balanced and runs with great tilt. Isaiah Davis didn’t play much in the preseason with just 8 carries for 22 yards (2.75 avg) and 5 catches for 33 yards (6.6 avg), but he didn’t play in the final preseason game, meaning he’s sure to be on the roster.
Izzy Abanikanda hasn’t been used much in practice and has been pushed so far down the RB rotation that he may not make the team. The Jets have to decide whether to keep 3 or 4 RBs on the roster. He’s made it clear he belongs on the team with his performance in preseason games (21-129, 6.2 yards per carry and 2 receptions for 14 yards). Even if you take away his nice 45-yard TD where he broke two tackles, he still averaged 4.2 yards per carry behind a backup offensive line. That’s a bit of a dilemma, since he may not make it through waivers if another team needs an RB.
Xazavian Valladay (25-45 1.80 ave) and Deon Jackson (8-18 2.25 ave) haven’t shown much, so I don’t know if the Jets will waste a practice squad spot on either of them. Valladay was already released on Monday. One caveat is that I wasn’t at practice, so either of them might have shown something I didn’t see for myself. The Jets will definitely have a practice squad RB. I just don’t know if it will be Izzy or maybe someone off the roster.
Wide receiver
Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley and Alan Lazard are certain to be on the Opening Day roster. Lazard was rightly vilified by Joe Douglas as a high-paid free agent flop. He was a no-show in the preseason, but those who have watched the Jets’ workouts have stated that Lazard has shown much better skills than he did last year. If he rededicates himself to his job and becomes a quality WR3 on the Jets’ roster, I will applaud him for that. You can’t change the past. But you can change the course of your future. Mark Twain once said, “Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions.” An improved Allan Lazard would be a godsend for the Jets’ offense.
Irvin Charles didn’t have a catch in the preseason (or regular season), but he is a contributor on special teams, which can sometimes be the deciding factor. I would put him on the team as the 6th WR, although he is more of an ace on special teams. Last year, Charles played in 43 offensive snaps all season, including 16 in the final game.
I think the Jets will keep 7 WRs and a few others on the practice squad. Malik Taylor was placed on the injured list a week ago, which means the end of his season, so he’s done for this season. Jason Brownlee would be the logical 7th receiver, as he worked in the Jets offense last season and had a good training camp. He caught the only touchdown pass in the preseason and had a total of 5 pass catches for 47 yards. Brandon Smith was tied with Brownlee with 5 pass catches in the preseason and averaged 24 yards per catch (5 for 120 yards). Smith has been in the NFL for 3 seasons, two with Dallas and one with Arizona, but he has never had an NFL pass catch to his credit.
Marcus Riley, Lance McCutcheon, Isaiah Winstead and Tyler Harrell are players watching from the outside hoping for a practice squad spot. You could also see the Jets picking up a WR on the waiver list if they see someone they like. Every team watches every other team’s preseason so they have an idea of who they would like to have if they were available.
Tight ends
The Jets will likely only keep 3 TEs, with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert considered safe bets to make the team. The final roster spot will be between Anthony Firkser and Kenny Yeboah. Firkser is a 6-year veteran with 115 NFL receptions to his name. He’s also an H-back type who can play as a TE or FB, so he could be a safe bet if the Jets decide to go that direction. That would be at Izzy’s expense, as Firkser would be considered a FB. Yeboah has been with the Jets for 3 seasons and has 4 total receptions for 64 yards. He’s a regular on special teams, where he has an upside. My guess is the Jets would stick with Yeboah and Firkser would make the team as an H-back. I think Zack Kuntz (bad regression in the preseason) and Lincoln Sefcik are outsiders looking for a possible spot on the practice squad.
Offensive line
The starting offensive line never played for the Jets, which is fine since they avoided potential injuries that would have been bad. This makes it very difficult to gauge who is coming and going and how many players to keep at each position. Morgan Moses, Tyron Smith, John Simpson, AVT, Joe Tippman, Olu Fashanu, Wes Schweitzer Carter Warren and Xavier Newman are set, and Max Mitchell is also a possibility, although he has been pretty bad.
One of the group that includes Chris Glaser, Willie Tyler III, Obinna Eze, Kohl Levao, Austin Duculus, Brady Latham and Jake Hanson could potentially make it, but I’m guessing some of those guys will be practice squad players. I expect the Jets to get an OC/OG veteran off the waiver list once all teams reach the final 53, so even if one of the group makes the team, he may have a short time before going to the practice squad.
Special teams
The special teams are ready, although Greg missed two shots on his leg in the last preseason game. He’s normally solid, so they may need to do some work in practice to get things back on track.
K-Zuerlein, P-Morstead, LS-Hennessy
The returner position is uncertain as the Jets know Xavier Gipson is solid but Malachi Corley, Isaiah Davis and Brandon Codrington are also potential returners. We will see if Codrington makes it as a CB as the Jets won’t keep room for him as a returner alone with all the other options they have. Codrington may not make it through waivers if a team needs a good returner. The change in kickoff rules has made the returner position much more valuable than in previous years.
The Jets offense has been terrible the last few years. Since 2015, the Jets offense has not ranked higher than 25th in yards or 23rd in points. Jets fans are in for a scoring explosion, although I would be happy to see a top 10 scoring season, even if it was a number 10. With the Jets defense, a Jets team that ranks in the top 10 in points would be tough to beat.
So this is what the offensive looks like.
Let me know what I missed.
