Wednesday belonged to the New York Jets’ cornerbacks
On paper, the New York Jets‘ intriguingly deep wide receiver group is one of their greatest strengths, while their supremely unproven cornerback group is one of their greatest weaknesses.
An uninformed observer would not come to that conclusion if they watched Wednesday’s training camp practice in Florham Park.
Lamar Jackson made a goal-line pass deflection on a throw by Mike White, making a good break from outside leverage and using his inside hand to bat the ball away.
Nice break by Lamar Jackson to pick up the PD against White near goal line.
Eyes were in right spot, outside leverage, saw release and broke perfectly, inside hand to swat. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
Javelin Guidry has been making a lot of plays lately. He seems to be making more noise than Michael Carter II in the battle for the starting slot cornerback job.
The Jets’ first unofficial depth chart featured Guidry as the No. 1 nickel corner, ahead of Carter II.
Javelin Guidry bats away a pass Zach Wilson in the end zone. Guidry having a solid camp. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 11, 2021
Sixth-round Brandin Echols was the star of the show, breaking up one pass after the next.
The JUCO Product showed out today. I don’t think a corner made more plays in a single practice than Echols did today. he was everywhere.
He made the most of his reps.
4 pass breakup and a pick 6 in the redzone off a tip drill.
I believe he would have scored. #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 11, 2021
Bryce Hall‘s step-for-step coverage has been a fixture throughout Jets training camp. It showed up again on Wednesday.
Standout performers from Jets practice today:
Brandin Echols four PBUs and pick-6
Corey Davis being a security blanket and catching TDs
Bryce Hall having sticky coverage and forcing some INCs
Jamien Sherwood caught an interception.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 11, 2021
The linebackers joined in on the party
The Jets’ linebackers enjoyed a fantastic day in coverage as well. C.J. Mosley continues to make plays on the ball daily while Jamien Sherwood recorded a pick-six off of White.
Bad start in teams for Jets QBs. Wilson tries to hit Moore middle of field, over second level and under third level. Decent touch, tipped by Mosley.
Mike White then throws pick 6 to Sherwood.
A series later, Wilson makes nice read (Davis) hashes, 10-12 yards at catch point.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
Sherwood was listed with the second-team defense on the Jets’ first unofficial depth chart, while it was Hamsah Nasirildeen joining Mosley and Jarrad Davis as the third linebacker in the starting trio.
All in all, it was a positive day for the cornerbacks and linebackers.
Wednesday recap:
-A lot of dangerous throws by all quarterbacks.
-Tough start for Zach Wilson, settled in a bit, still many dangerous decisions/placement.
-Sherwood’s become a leader defensively. Active communicator as rook.
-DBs feeling Saleh’s type of zones well. #Jets— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
-Mims is fine. Still a plus vertical threat every offense wants/needs—no matter the style, even if he doesn’t start.
-Young corners look impressive.
-Mosley playing well.
-Joyner’s an excellent complement to Maye (both versatile can play high and low).
-RB and TE = rotation city.— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
Denzel Mims’ positive buzz continues growing
Denzel Mims had a nice (although imperfect) practice on Tuesday that seemed to get him going in the right direction. He built upon that momentum on Wednesday.
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Mims picked up a big gain on a vertical route, with White uncorking the pass.
White to Mims. Vertical. Nice route. Great placement. Big chunk.
Again, Mims has no problem with the vertical stuff, release, route running, high pointing it, etc.
It’s the short spaces, quick reading, catch in traffic in short spaces that’s the opportunity. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
Mims beat Jason Pinnock for a huge gain with a finger-tip grab. He has beaten the rookie cornerback from Pittsburgh quite frequently throughout training camp.
Mims sighting on a deep ball. Beat Jason Pinnock on it. Pinnock tried the catch technique at 6 yards and slightly rerouted Mims but Mims recovered and caught the pass with his finger tips for a 30 yard gain. #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 11, 2021
Robert Saleh again reiterated that the Jets have full confidence in Mims.
Robert Saleh said the Jets are “absolutely not” giving up on WR Denzel Mims.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 11, 2021
The Jets sent Mims to the podium to speak with the media, which is perhaps a positive sign regarding how they feel about his progress.
Denzel Mims has been doing extra work at practice:
"That's something I choose to do. You don't have to catch extra balls, but I want to get extra time so that I can be ready" pic.twitter.com/VhYrHdWmsi
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 11, 2021
Mims dealt with food poisoning in the spring, which caused him to lose 20 pounds. After dropping from 217 to 197, Mims is back up to 208 at the moment.
Denzel Mims says he lost 20 pounds during his bout with food poisoning in the spring. Went from 217 to 197. Now back to 208. Apparently ate some bad salmon. Hasn’t had salmon since. #Jets pic.twitter.com/zgdvLtAnR1
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 11, 2021
Zach Wilson and Corey Davis light it up
Corey Davis had an active day on Wednesday. This continues a string of impressive practices for the Jets’ most expensive offensive player, who seems to be establishing himself as the clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game. He and Zach Wilson have begun to develop some solid chemistry.
Zach Wilson with a nice throw to Corey Davis in the front corner of the end zone for a TD. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 11, 2021
A few Wilson-Davis hook ups today. Definitely better chemistry over the last few days. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 11, 2021
This week of camp has reminded me that Corey Davis is still the number 1. #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 11, 2021
The Jets will hit the practice field once more on Thursday before taking Friday off. On Saturday, they will head east on I-280 for their preseason opener at MetLife Stadium against the Giants, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET.
