Several New York Jets players were mentioned on NFL.com’s 30 Over 30 list
At this point, New York Jets fans are likely sick of rankings and ready for training camp. Still, the time between minicamp and training camp is rankings time, as there’s not much else going on. As such, there are ever more rankings to react to.
NFL.com recently ranked the top 30 players 30 and over. Three New York Jets players’ names came up somewhere on the list. Are they all properly placed, and was there anyone who could have been listed but wasn’t?
17. QB Aaron Rodgers
Somehow, Aaron Rodgers is the fourth quarterback listed behind Dak Prescott (No. 4), Matthew Stafford (No. 5), and Kirk Cousins (No. 15).
I can hear the argument that Prescott is better than Rodgers at this point in their respective careers, although I wouldn’t necessarily say it means Prescott will outplay Rodgers in 2024. But Stafford and Cousins? Cousins is coming off an equally devastating injury to Rodgers’, while Stafford is coming off a roller-coaster season in which he played poorly in the first half and excellently in the second half. While neither Stafford nor Cousins is as old as Rodgers, both are entering their age-36 seasons.
Pro Football Focus ranked Prescott (No. 6) and Stafford (No. 7) just ahead of Rodgers (No. 8) on their quarterback rankings list. Cousins slotted in at No. 15. I think the only real case here is to place Prescott ahead of Rodgers.
And the fact that Derrick Henry is one slot before Rodgers? Just weird for a 30-year-old running back.
Honorable mention: LT Tyron Smith
This one is really strange. Tyron Smith was a second-team All-Pro in 2023. The first-teamers were Trent Williams (age 36) and Penei Sewell (age 23). Williams correctly slotted in at the No. 2 player over 30, but somehow Smith was just an honorable mention? PFF ranked him No. 7 overall at the position, and that’s likely with dinging him somewhat for his lengthy injury history. Lane Johnson was one spot ahead of him on PFF’s list but ranked No. 8 on the NFL.com 30 over 30 list.
When Smith plays, he is still one of the most dominant tackles in the game. How he was merely an honorable mention attests to the subjectivity of rankings.
Honorable mention: LB C.J. Mosley
Unlike the first two rankings, this one is probably fair. I would argue that C.J. Mosley should be ranked above Lavonte David (No. 27), but that’s because I think David shouldn’t have been included. Demario Davis and Matt Milano are both on the list, and they’re significantly better than Mosley at this stage in their careers.
Potential snub: Mike Williams
While Mike Williams was never a No. 1 receiver, he posted 91 catches for 1,263 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns over his last 17 games. Granted, those numbers spanned three seasons, and he’s coming off a major injury. He’s also not nearly as prolific as some of the other receivers on the list, including Tyreek Hill (No. 1), Davante Adams (No. 6), Mike Evans (No. 12), Keenan Allen (No. 14), Stefon Diggs (No. 18), Amari Cooper (No. 19), Cooper Kupp (No. 22), and DeAndre Hopkins (honorable mention).
Still, is Williams really worse than, say, No. 23 Cameron Heyward? At 35 years old, Heyward posted just a 6.5% pressure rate in 2023 (the average at the position was 8.7%). True, he had been significantly better before 2023, but still, that kind of drop-off in a player of his age likely shows a real decline. Heyward also missed seven games with a groin tear.
I think Williams deserved at least an honorable mention, especially with Leonard Williams, Mosley, and Bobby Wagner all garnering mentions.
Really belongs here: Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick is 29 years old but will turn 30 on September 22. He’s entering his age-30 season. Assuming he maintains his production, he should be on this list next year.
