We’re again for one more 12 months of counting down the highest 25 gamers on the Jets roster.
We began doing this record again in 2012 as a strategy to fill within the useless time between the spring program and coaching camp. In some years, it has been powerful to give you 25 worthy gamers as a result of the Jets roster has been so poor.
This 12 months’s roster would 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 thought how a rookie will play within the NFL.
Earlier than we get began with this 12 months’s record, listed below are the gamers who’ve dropped off the record from final 12 months 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 could have two extra installments with gamers 15-6 after which 5-1. Let’s get it began.
No. 25: Mekhi Becton
Final 12 months’s rating: 16
Place: Offensive sort out
Age on Opening Day: 24
How acquired: Chosen within the first spherical of the 2020 draft
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $5.9 million
Trying 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 price Becton the season. He has performed in a single complete sport 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 in a position to keep on the sector. He labored arduous this offseason to lose greater than 50 kilos, and is predicted to enter coaching camp round 340 kilos, method down from when he was topping the scales at 400 final 12 months.
The way in which he has labored this offseason has been encouraging, however there are nonetheless troubling indicators with Becton in terms of his maturity. He continues to say issues he shouldn’t on social media equivalent to insisting he is a left tackle. He then did an interview with Newsday in Might during which he once more mentioned he was a left sort out and blamed the Jets coaches for his knee injury as a result of they’d him at proper sort out final 12 months.
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 12 months. The good cash is him ending up at proper sort out with Duane Brown at left. It will likely be fascinating to see whether Becton can stay on the field throughout camp and win the belief of the coaches.
No. 24: Michael Carter
Final 12 months’s rating: 12
Place: Operating again
Age on Opening Day: 24
How acquired: Chosen within the fourth spherical of the 2021 draft
Years left on contract: 2
2023 wage cap determine: $1.1 million
Trying again at 2022: One of many extra puzzling points of the Jets’ 2022 season was what happened 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 12 months 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 hassle Carter, and will have damage 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 sport after Week 9.
Outlook for 2023: Carter enters coaching camp because the No. 2 working 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 stability is superb to look at. The Jets expect Hall to be ready for Week 1, however he absolutely received’t be himself instantly. The door is open for a working again to take the lead function with Corridor easing his method again in. Can Carter seize that chance?
No. 23: Corey Davis
Final 12 months’s rating: 9
Place: Extensive receiver
Age on Opening Day: 28
How acquired: Signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract as a free agent on March 15, 2021
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $11.2 million
Trying again at 2022: It was one other disappointing 12 months for Davis and the Jets. In his second season since becoming a member of the group as a prime free agent, Davis didn’t produce huge numbers. He had 32 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns in 13 video games.
Now, each receiver on the Jets was damage by poor quarterback play, however you continue to would have anticipated extra manufacturing from Davis. Garrett Wilson changed Davis because the group’s No. 1 extensive receiver. Davis didn’t have a single 100-yard receiving sport final season, and had just one sport with not less than six receptions. PFF graded him because the sixty fourth finest receiver out of 113.
Outlook for 2023: It stays a mystery whether Davis will even be on the team this season. There isn’t a method the Jets are protecting 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 had been open to the media. The Jets mentioned it was as a result of he was anticipating a child, however it’s potential he’s unsure about his future with the group.
If Davis sticks on the roster, it is going to be fascinating to see how he suits. He provides the Jets good depth, however it’s arduous to see him getting a number of taking part in time if everyone seems to be wholesome. Allen Lazard is principally a greater, youthful model of Davis. They’ve very related talent units. Davis shouldn’t be a slot receiver. So, the place does he play when Wilson and Lazard are in there?
The Davis scenario is one to look at as coaching camp attracts nearer.
No. 22: Al Woods
Final 12 months’s rating: Unranked — not on group
Place: Defensive sort out
Age on Opening Day: 36
How acquired: Signed a one-year, $2.25 million free agent contract on Might 11
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $2.2 million
Trying 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 cross 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 provide them some beef up the center, notably in opposition to the run. The Jets misplaced Sheldon Rankins, who stuffed this function 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 might slide inside in passing conditions.
No. 21: C.J. Uzomah
Final 12 months’s rating: 7
Place: Tight finish
Age on Opening Day: 30
How acquired: Signed a three-year, $24 million free agent contract on March 17, 2022
Years left on contract: 2
2023 wage cap determine: $6.7 million
Trying again at 2022: Uzomah arrived with huge 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 sport 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 sturdy 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 all the time has had sturdy connections along with his tight ends, and Uzomah already has developed chemistry with the brand new quarterback. The duo appeared in sync throughout OTAs, and so they frolicked collectively off the sector, too, going to the Tony Awards.
Huge issues had been anticipated when the Jets signed Uzomah final 12 months. 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 12 months’s rating: 4
Place: Left guard
Age on Opening Day: 31
How acquired: Signed a three-year, $40 million free agent contract on March 17, 2022
Years left on contract: 2
2023 wage cap determine: $10.9 million
Trying again at 2022: The Jets gave Tomlinson a big-money contract coming off a Professional Bowl 12 months in 2021. He had a tough first season with the Jets. One of the best 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 likely one of the few items on the offensive line that’s solidified for this season. He would be the group’s beginning left guard, and he isn’t getting back from a serious surgical procedure, one thing the Jets don’t have at another place on the road.
The Jets have a brand new offensive line coach in Keith Carter who might be able to get extra out of Tomlinson than his predecessor John Benton did. The Jets must be hoping Carter can assist Tomlinson regain the shape he confirmed in San Francisco that earned him the large contract with the Jets.
The Jets wish to run the ball. That was a part of Hackett’s attraction to the Jets. Tomlinson will likely be a key piece of that on the left facet of the offensive line with whoever wins the sort out job.
No. 19: Bryce Huff
Final 12 months’s rating: Unranked
Place: Edge
Age on Opening Day: 25
How acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2020
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $4.3 million
Trying 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 p.c of the defensive snaps as a delegated cross 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 function, however the place will he discover one? The Jets already had a number of edge rushers, after which they drafted Will McDonald within the first spherical. I don’t assume Huff will get greater than the 20 p.c of the snaps he acquired in 2022.
The Jets introduced Huff again on a second-round restricted tender for $4.3 million. That reveals they worth him. He makes the analytics crowd swoon along with his get-off and his win charge.
Huff is a kind of superb gamers in a restricted function. He couldn’t be an every-down participant, however the Jets love what he brings to their protection and he’s extraordinarily priceless speeding the passer.
Want to catch a game? The Jets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.
No. 18: Connor McGovern
Final 12 months’s rating: 17
Place: Middle
Age on Opening Day: 30
How acquired: Signed a three-year, $27 million free agent contract on March 17, 2020
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $1.9 million
Trying again at 2022: McGovern had a good 12 months in his third season as a Jet. He performed in all 17 video games, and there no main holes in his sport. 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 cross sport.
Outlook for 2023: It appeared as if the Jets had been performed with McGovern as his preliminary three-year contract expired. Then, simply earlier than the NFL Draft, they brought him back on a one-year deal.
McGovern’s future with the group continues to be foggy, although. The Jets drafted middle Joe Tippmann within the second spherical, and Tippmann is clearly their middle of the long run. The query is whether or not he can bump McGovern in coaching camp to turn into the middle of the current.
It must be an fascinating coaching camp battle between the veteran and the rookie. You wonder if Rodgers prefers a veteran middle. It will likely be one thing to look at in coaching camp.
No. 17: Jordan Whitehead
Final 12 months’s rating: 8
Place: Security
Age on Opening Day: 26
How acquired: Signed a two-year, $14.5 million free agent contract on March 15, 2022
Years left on contract: 1
2023 wage cap determine: $4.9 million
Trying again at 2022: Whitehead was OK in his first 12 months 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, in response to 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 related safeties with Whitehead and Adrian Amos, who’re each higher within the field. It’ll be fascinating to see who Robert Saleh places at deep security.
Whitehead was underwhelming in his first 12 months. There weren’t a number of big-impact performs, and there have been some whiffs from him each tackling and in protection.
In case you needed to decide a weak spot within the Jets protection proper now, it’s security. If Whitehead could make a leap, that weak spot might turn into extra of a energy.
No. 16: Michael Carter II
Final 12 months’s rating: 20
Place: Cornerback
Age on Opening Day: 24
How acquired: Chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2021 draft
Years left on contract: 2
2023 wage cap determine: $1 million
Trying again at 2022: Carter is likely 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 turn into extraordinarily dependable in a task that could be very troublesome. Slot receivers current so many issues, however Carter is sort of all the time in the fitting place.
Carter can also be sturdy in opposition to the run and is a positive tackler.
He had the game-clinching interception in Pittsburgh, however his largest 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 wiped out by a roughing-the-passer call 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 priceless piece of the Jets protection.
There isn’t a cause to count on the Jets to alter his utilization. Slot nook has turn into increasingly more priceless in recent times as extra offenses go to the unfold. Whereas Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed rightfully get a number of reward, don’t neglect concerning the Jets’ third cornerback.
