We’re again for an additional yr of counting down the highest 25 gamers on the Jets roster.
We began doing this record again in 2012 as a solution to fill within the useless time between the spring program and coaching camp. In some years, it has been robust to give you 25 worthy gamers as a result of the Jets roster has been so poor.
This yr’s roster will be the strongest it has been since we’ve been doing the record.
Only a reminder: We don’t put rookies within the record as a result of nobody has any concept how a rookie will play within the NFL.
Earlier than we get began with this yr’s record, listed here are the gamers who’ve dropped off the record from final yr with their rating in parentheses: Elijah Moore (5), George Fant (11), Zach Wilson (14), Braxton Berrios (15), Sheldon Rankins (21), Lamarcus Joyner (22), Brandin Echols (23), Jacob Martin (24), Bryce Corridor (25).
We’ll begin right this moment with gamers 25-16, and may have two extra installments with gamers 15-6 after which 5-1. Let’s get it began.
No. 25: Mekhi Becton
Final yr’s rating: 16Position: Offensive tackleAge on Opening Day: 24How acquired: Chosen within the first spherical of the 2020 draftYears left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $5.9 million
Wanting again at 2022: Becton’s season ended earlier than it began when he suffered a knee damage early in coaching camp that resulted in season-ending surgical procedure. It was the second straight season {that a} knee damage value Becton the season. He has performed in a single whole recreation previously two years.
Outlook for 2023: How can the Jets have any expectations for Becton at this level? He flashed a ton of promise as a rookie, however has not been capable of keep on the sphere. He labored laborious this offseason to lose greater than 50 kilos, and is anticipated to enter coaching camp round 340 kilos, approach down from when he was topping the scales at 400 final yr.
The best way he has labored this offseason has been encouraging, however there are nonetheless troubling indicators with Becton with regards to his maturity. He continues to say issues he shouldn’t on social media corresponding to insisting he’s a left sort out. He then did an interview with Newsday in Might by which he once more mentioned he was a left sort out and blamed the Jets coaches for his knee damage as a result of they’d him at proper sort out final yr.
Becton ought to shut up and do no matter is requested of him and hope to place collectively a season that may get him a brand new contract subsequent yr. The good cash is him ending up at proper sort out with Duane Brown at left. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Becton can keep on the sphere throughout camp and win the belief of the coaches.
No. 24: Michael Carter
Final yr’s rating: 12Position: Operating backAge on Opening Day: 24How acquired: Chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2021 draftYears left on contract: 22023 wage cap determine: $1.1 million
Wanting again at 2022: One of many extra puzzling elements of the Jets’ 2022 season was what occurred to Carter. After a promising rookie season (147 carries, 639 speeding yards, 4 touchdowns), his manufacturing dropped off (114 carries, 402 yards, 3 touchdowns).
Carter appeared to lose confidence final season. He began the yr splitting the snaps with Breece Corridor. Then, Corridor blew up and started getting extra carries. When Corridor tore his ACL in Week 7, Carter was keen to hold the load, however the Jets traded for James Robinson. That appeared to essentially trouble Carter, and should have harm his confidence. After it grew to become clear Robinson wasn’t the reply, the Jets turned to Zonovan Knight over Carter. He didn’t have greater than eight carries in a recreation after Week 9.
Outlook for 2023: Carter enters coaching camp because the No. 2 operating again, and with Corridor nonetheless recovering from his ACL damage, Carter ought to get loads of work in coaching camp. Carter must rebound after his disappointing 2022. He nonetheless has a lot talent. His contact steadiness is wonderful to observe. The Jets count on Corridor to be prepared for Week 1, however he absolutely gained’t be himself straight away. The door is open for a operating again to take the lead position with Corridor easing his approach again in. Can Carter seize that chance?
No. 23: Corey Davis
Final yr’s rating: 9Position: Broad receiverAge on Opening Day: 28How acquired: Signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract as a free agent on March 15, 2021Years left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $11.2 million
Wanting again at 2022: It was one other disappointing yr for Davis and the Jets. In his second season since becoming a member of the crew as a high free agent, Davis didn’t produce massive numbers. He had 32 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns in 13 video games.
Now, each receiver on the Jets was harm by poor quarterback play, however you continue to would have anticipated extra manufacturing from Davis. Garrett Wilson changed Davis because the crew’s No. 1 large receiver. Davis didn’t have a single 100-yard receiving recreation final season, and had just one recreation with at the very least six receptions. PFF graded him because the sixty fourth greatest receiver out of 113.
Outlook for 2023: It stays a thriller whether or not Davis will even be on the crew this season. There isn’t a approach the Jets are conserving Davis at his present wage of $10.5 million. The Jets absolutely have requested Davis to take a pay reduce, and he could also be launched if he doesn’t agree. Davis was not current throughout the OTAs that have been open to the media. The Jets mentioned it was as a result of he was anticipating a child, however it’s attainable he’s unsure about his future with the crew.
If Davis sticks on the roster, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he suits. He provides the Jets good depth, however it’s laborious to see him getting loads of enjoying time if everyone seems to be wholesome. Allen Lazard is principally a greater, youthful model of Davis. They’ve very comparable talent units. Davis will not be a slot receiver. So, the place does he play when Wilson and Lazard are in there?
The Davis state of affairs is one to observe as coaching camp attracts nearer.
No. 22: Al Woods
Final yr’s rating: Unranked — not on teamPosition: Defensive tackleAge on Opening Day: 36How acquired: Signed a one-year, $2.25 million free agent contract on Might 11Years left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $2.2 million
Wanting again at 2022: Woods performed in 14 video games for the Seahawks final season. He had 39 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits and one go defensed.
PFF graded Woods thirty second out of 127 inside defenders, and he completed twenty eighth in run protection.
Outlook for 2023: The Jets signed the 330-pound Woods to offer them some beef up the center, significantly towards the run. The Jets misplaced Sheldon Rankins, who crammed this position the previous two seasons, in free company. Woods will give them a giant man subsequent to Quinnen Williams.
Woods figures to play on speeding downs after which be subbed out on passing downs. Robert Saleh loves rotating defensive linemen, and John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons may slide inside in passing conditions.
No. 21: C.J. Uzomah
Final yr’s rating: 7Position: Tight endAge on Opening Day: 30How acquired: Signed a three-year, $24 million free agent contract on March 17, 2022Years left on contract: 22023 wage cap determine: $6.7 million
Wanting again at 2022: Uzomah arrived with massive expectations after signing as a free agent. He by no means appeared to seek out his footing, and Tyler Conklin handed him on the depth chart. Uzomah ended up with 21 catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns in 15 video games. He didn’t have a recreation with greater than three catches, and his single-game season excessive in yards was 41.
Uzomah did throw some key blocks, together with one which sprung Braxton Berrios for a landing in Inexperienced Bay. PFF ranked him thirty sixth out of 73 tight ends.
Outlook for 2023: Uzomah had a really robust spring, and will make a soar this season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Uzomah additionally praised how new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett makes use of tight ends, maybe a sign he didn’t really feel used appropriately by Mike LaFleur final season.
Rodgers at all times has had robust connections together with his tight ends, and Uzomah already has developed chemistry with the brand new quarterback. The duo appeared in sync throughout OTAs, they usually frolicked collectively off the sphere, too, going to the Tony Awards.
Huge issues have been anticipated when the Jets signed Uzomah final yr. He didn’t ship in Yr 1, however possibly he’s in line for a giant season in Yr 2.
No. 20: Laken Tomlinson
Final yr’s rating: 4Position: Left guardAge on Opening Day: 31How acquired: Signed a three-year, $40 million free agent contract on March 17, 2022Years left on contract: 22023 wage cap determine: $10.9 million
Wanting again at 2022: The Jets gave Tomlinson a big-money contract coming off a Professional Bowl yr in 2021. He had a tough first season with the Jets. The perfect factor you’ll be able to say about Tomlinson is he was sturdy. He performed in all 17 video games whereas the Jets handled accidents elsewhere on the offensive line.
PFF graded him 58th out of 77 guards, and he was 69th in run blocking.
Outlook for 2023: Tomlinson is without doubt one of the few items on the offensive line that’s solidified for this season. He would be the crew’s beginning left guard, and he isn’t getting back from a serious surgical procedure, one thing the Jets don’t have at every other place on the road.
The Jets have a brand new offensive line coach in Keith Carter who could possibly get extra out of Tomlinson than his predecessor John Benton did. The Jets should be hoping Carter will help Tomlinson regain the shape he confirmed in San Francisco that earned him the massive contract with the Jets.
The Jets wish to run the ball. That was a part of Hackett’s enchantment to the Jets. Tomlinson can be a key piece of that on the left aspect of the offensive line with whoever wins the sort out job.
No. 19: Bryce Huff
Final yr’s rating: UnrankedPosition: EdgeAge on Opening Day: 25How acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2020Years left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $4.3 million
Wanting again at 2022: There may not be anybody on the Jets who had a greater production-per-play ratio than Huff. He performed simply 20 % of the defensive snaps as a chosen go rusher, however Huff had 3 ½ sacks, 10 quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and one compelled fumble.
Huff was a beast on the sting and a continuing headache for opposing quarterbacks.
Outlook for 2023: Huff has earned an even bigger position, however the place will he discover one? The Jets already had loads of edge rushers, after which they drafted Will McDonald within the first spherical. I don’t assume Huff will get greater than the 20 % of the snaps he acquired in 2022.
The Jets introduced Huff again on a second-round restricted tender for $4.3 million. That exhibits they worth him. He makes the analytics crowd swoon together with his get-off and his win fee.
Huff is a kind of superb gamers in a restricted position. He couldn’t be an every-down participant, however the Jets love what he brings to their protection and he’s extraordinarily useful speeding the passer.
Need to catch a recreation? The Jets schedule with hyperlinks to purchase tickets will be discovered right here.
No. 18: Connor McGovern
Final yr’s rating: 17Position: CenterAge on Opening Day: 30How acquired: Signed a three-year, $27 million free agent contract on March 17, 2020Years left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $1.9 million
Wanting again at 2022: McGovern had an honest yr in his third season as a Jet. He performed in all 17 video games, and there no main holes in his recreation. McGovern was not a Professional Bowler or something nice, however he was a constant, dependable starter.
PFF ranked him tenth amongst 36 facilities. He graded properly in each the run and go recreation.
Outlook for 2023: It appeared as if the Jets have been performed with McGovern as his preliminary three-year contract expired. Then, simply earlier than the NFL Draft, they introduced him again on a one-year deal.
McGovern’s future with the crew continues to be foggy, although. The Jets drafted heart Joe Tippmann within the second spherical, and Tippmann is clearly their heart of the longer term. The query is whether or not he can bump McGovern in coaching camp to develop into the middle of the current.
It ought to be an attention-grabbing coaching camp battle between the veteran and the rookie. You ponder whether Rodgers prefers a veteran heart. Will probably be one thing to observe in coaching camp.
No. 17: Jordan Whitehead
Final yr’s rating: 8Position: SafetyAge on Opening Day: 26How acquired: Signed a two-year, $14.5 million free agent contract on March 15, 2022Years left on contract: 12023 wage cap determine: $4.9 million
Wanting again at 2022: Whitehead was OK in his first yr as a Jet, however you anticipated extra after he arrived from Tampa Bay.
Whitehead performed all 17 video games. He had 89 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defensed. He missed 17 tackles, based on PFF, and gave up 22 catches on 34 targets for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
PFF graded him forty sixth out of 88 safeties. He was 59th in run protection.
Outlook for 2023: The Jets have two comparable safeties with Whitehead and Adrian Amos, who’re each higher within the field. It will be attention-grabbing to see who Robert Saleh places at deep security.
Whitehead was underwhelming in his first yr. There weren’t loads of big-impact performs, and there have been some whiffs from him each tackling and in protection.
Should you needed to choose a weak point within the Jets protection proper now, it’s security. If Whitehead could make a leap, that weak point may develop into extra of a power.
No. 16: Michael Carter II
Final yr’s rating: 20Position: CornerbackAge on Opening Day: 24How acquired: Chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2021 draftYears left on contract: 22023 wage cap determine: $1 million
Wanting again at 2022: Carter is without doubt one of the most underrated gamers on the Jets, and I could also be perpetuating that by having him this low on the record.
Carter performed in 17 video games final season, had 63 tackles, 9 passes defensed and two interceptions because the slot nook. Carter has develop into extraordinarily dependable in a job that may be very tough. Slot receivers current so many issues, however Carter is sort of at all times in the suitable place.
Carter can be robust towards the run and is a positive tackler.
He had the game-clinching interception in Pittsburgh, however his greatest play of the season acquired worn out by a penalty. He intercepted Mac Jones and returned it for a pick-six simply earlier than halftime within the loss to the Patriots solely to see it worn out by a roughing-the-passer name on John Franklin-Myers.
PFF ranked Carter 18th out of 118 cornerbacks.
Outlook for 2023: Everybody ought to count on extra of the identical from Carter. He appears to be like like a steal for Joe Douglas from the fifth spherical of the 2021 draft. He’s a useful piece of the Jets protection.
There isn’t a cause to count on the Jets to vary his utilization. Slot nook has develop into increasingly useful lately as extra offenses go to the unfold. Whereas Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed rightfully get loads of reward, don’t neglect concerning the Jets’ third cornerback.
