The New York Jets had an extremely light day in Florham Park before their Wednesday joint practice with the Giants.
All the players were in shorts and helmets. Most of the team’s starters, such as Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson on offense and Sauce Gardner on defense, did not participate in team drills. The team drill reps were handled by the team’s second—and third-string players, with only a few series in total being run by Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, and Andrew Peasley.
Despite this light practice, some observations from today can still be used as a guide for following the joint practice and the preseason game against the Giants.
A wrench in the returner battle
Ahead of the team’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, I was not fully convinced the Jets could keep a player strictly as a returner. The team has Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, and Isaiah Davis as players who could serve as offensive contributors and the primary ball carriers on punts or kickoffs.
However, Brandon Codrington is ready to throw a wrench into that line of thinking.
Codrington, among others like Davis, Gipson, and Corley, working returner drills. Could make a push for a roster spot with another big week against the Giants. #Jets pic.twitter.com/lGBKhdkstc
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 20, 2024
The 5-foot-9 cornerback from North Carolina Central had two explosive returns last Saturday: a 63-yard kickoff return and a 31-yard punt return. Codrington displayed speed, shiftiness, and vision on his returns.
In an ideal world, the Jets would probably prefer to have one of their skill position players fill the returner role. However, if Codrington continues to flash elite returner potential, New York may have a much more difficult decision than previously anticipated.
Defensive line battles
While the top of the depth chart is set in stone, the defensive line’s depth is a key area to watch over the rest of this week.
McKinley and Watts going through pass rushing drills #Jets pic.twitter.com/KF2RhMB5K4
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 20, 2024
Takk McKinley, Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, and Lenord Taylor III are among the players battling for roster spots. Each player has a varying pedigree. McKinley is a former first-round pick. Taylor III was highly touted out of high school before going undrafted. Watts and McGregor were also undrafted but flew more under the radar. However, they have all contributed in their own way during the preseason.
McKinley has been the best of the bunch, contributing in both the run and pass games. He has set the edge well against the run and has shown explosive burst in passing situations.
McGregor has shown some nice power moves as a rusher, while Watts has also demonstrated a good amount of strength in practice on the edge. On the interior, Taylor III looks to have his explosiveness and burst back after a down 2023 season in college, allowing him to get after the passer and make plays in the backfield.
It will be interesting to see how the Jets manage their young players during roster cutdowns, specifically this group.
Young players continue to flash
On the offensive side of the ball, some of the youngest and newest Jets continue to flash.
Tackle Olu Fashanu, playing on the right side again, looked smooth in pass protection again. He had one great rep that allowed Tyrod Taylor to escape the pocket and complete a pass. Tight end Jeremey Ruckert had multiple receptions down the field from Taylor and looked smooth in that area of the game.
After a short pass and two runs for Izzy. Tyrod hits Ruckert to move the chains. Nice throw and catch from the QB to the TE. Next play is another short completion to Ruckert. Nice pass pro from Olu on the right side. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 20, 2024
Running back Braelon Allen, even without pads, looked smooth and got downhill quickly as a runner. He has the same powerful style at all times, which has translated to success whenever he touches the ball.
Wideout Malachi Corley had a great reception in traffic across the middle from Tyrod Taylor and was consistently involved with the offense. Already a high-level talent as a ball-carrier, the rookie continues to improve his route running.
After another good Braelon run, Tyrod misfired on a deep ball. McKinley flying off the edge with some pressure. Next play is Tyrod hitting McCutcheon on a quick pass. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 20, 2024
Tyrod ends his series with a strike to Corley across the middle. Fit it nicely between coverage and the rookie made a nice snag on the run. Watts provided some nice pressure too. #Jets
— Brandyn Pokrass (@BPok24) August 20, 2024
Corley, Fashanu, Allen, and Ruckert may not be immediate starters, but they are essential to the team’s present and future. If they can translate their camp performance to the field, New York will be in a very good spot.
Other notes
- Israel Abanikanda is looking much better recently. He is more decisive as a runner, has flashed in the passing game, and has provided some good pass protection reps. If he does not stick with the Jets, I think he will land elsewhere.
- All of the linemen continue to warm up separately from the skill positions. It seems like a concerted effort to have specific training regimens for different positions.
- Adrian Martinez looks very smooth and in command when running the offense. He is making a push for QB3 on the roster or practice squad.
- The whole linebacker room is very, very fast. It looks like the team made a concerted effort to stockpile speed at that position.
Quote of the Day
“We’re getting stressed this camp in a way that we old guys haven’t been stressed in a while. And I think that’s good for us.” – Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, speaking about the team bouncing back and learning from Monday’s poor practice.
