Jets WR Garrett Wilson vs. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn
While Garrett Wilson won’t play much in the preseason, the New York Jets’ star wideout exploded in his first joint practice against the Commanders. Wilson dominated Washington’s unproven young cornerbacks all day long.
However, Wilson may have a more difficult time against Carolina’s Jaycee Horn. While many won’t recognize Horn, he has quietly been excellent since entering the NFL. In 2022, Horn allowed a passer rating of 52.6, the lowest among qualified cornerbacks. He was one spot ahead of the Jets’ Sauce Gardner (53.5).
Unfortunately, Horn has been limited by injuries, playing only 22 games in three years. Horn is fully healthy to face off against Wilson on Thursday after missing 11 games in 2023.
Wilson and Horn are both among the NFL’s best young players at their positions. This may be the best matchup of the weekend.
Jets Defensive Ends vs. Panthers OTs Taylor Moton & Ikem Ekwonu
With the Haason Reddick situation continuing to drag out, this may be the most important battle for the Jets.
Jermaine Johnson is hoping to build off a Pro Bowl season, but there is a massive hole opposite of him following the departures of Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers. All eyes are on second-year player Will McDonald, who fans are hoping will live up to his draft status. In Charlotte, Johnson and McDonald will face off against two tackles who test them in different ways.
Right tackle Taylor Moton has been one of the best pass protectors in football for the last seven years. Opposite of him is the 2022 sixth overall pick, Ikem Ekwonu. While Ekwonu has not lived up to his draft status in pass protection just yet, he’s still a talented player and a quality run blocker. Ekwonu is hoping to put it all together and make a third-year leap in 2024.
Against Moton, every Jets defensive end needs to prove that they can consistently win in the passing game. While Johnson has already established himself as a solid starter, he still has plenty to prove. His pressure rate of 12.6% in 2023 was only slightly above the positional average. McDonald will also need to prove he can handle a larger role.
McDonald’s biggest test will be Ekwonu, who was one of the league’s better run-blocking tackles last year. While McDonald flashed as a pass rusher in the Jets’ joint practice and preseason game with Washington, he struggled against the run in the preseason game. The Jets have emphasized the need for McDonald to improve his strength and run defense since drafting him, and this will be his opportunity to prove he’s up to the challenge.
Jets Interior Offensive Line vs. Panthers DT Derrick Brown
The Jets’ interior offensive line has been an afterthought outside of Joe Tippmann’s snaps. The snaps will continue to be the focus, but the Jets also need to see how Alijah Vera-Tucker looks after tearing his Achilles and how John Simpson looks on a new team. They will be tested by one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Derrick Brown.
Brown was rewarded with nearly an identical contract extension to Quinnen Williams this past offseason. While he’s not the same level of pass rusher as Williams, Brown is one of the best run defenders in the NFL.
This will be an opportunity for the Jets to improve their ground game. In recent years, they have been among the worst teams in the NFL in short-yardage situations, largely due to the offensive line’s inability to generate push against stout run defenders like Brown. Thursday is a great chance for the Jets’ revamped offensive line to prove they are capable of turning things around in this area.
Jets Cornerbacks vs. Panthers WRs Diontae Johnson & Adam Thielen
New York’s young cornerbacks have impressed a lot of people throughout training camp and the team’s preseason opener. Carolina’s solid wide receiver duo gives them a chance to continue building on their success.
Adam Thielen was the Panthers’ top target in 2023, finishing with 103 catches for 1,014 yards. He will join forces with Diontae Johnson, whom Carolina traded for in the offseason. Over the last four years, Johnson has averaged 93 receptions for 1,026 yards per 17 games. He is among the NFL’s best route runners.
The trio of Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II shouldn’t have too much of an issue. The real attraction will be seeing how young corners Qwan’tez Stiggers and Jarrick Bernard-Converse fare in their matchups – particularly Bernard-Converse after a lights-out preseason debut.
