After a 22-18 loss to the Washington Redskins on Friday night, the New York Jets fell to 1-1 in the preseason. It is important to take everything in the preseason with a grain of salt especially win-loss numbers. However, individual performances and positional battles are worthy of monitoring in these early games.
The Jets had their fair share of impressive performances in week 2 including a six catch, 131 yard showcase from rookie Robby Anderson. Anderson will still have an uphill battle to make the roster among a crowded receiving corp. While Anderson was impressive, his preseason performance is not indicative of what to expect moving forward in his career. Here are some takeaways that can come confidently from week 2 of the preseason.
New York Jets Preseason Week 2 Takeaways
Defensive Rookies Still Raw
The Jets drafted three rookies on the defensive side of the ball. Darron Lee, Jordan Jenkins, and Juston Burris were all taken in the first four rounds. All three played well in week 2, but they still showed they have a ways to go. Jenkins was the only one of the three who played with the first defense. While he had some successful penetration, a missed sack on Colt McCoy is evidence of Jenkins’ need for more experience. Jenkins will need to improve quickly as there is little depth at the outside linebacker position.
Fellow rookie linebacker Lee did not start with the first team. He instead saw action in specific packages after an injury to Erin Henderson. Lee’s speed is not to be questioned, but his ability to contribute in run support remains to be seen. Lee will need to improve on his play recognition and block shedding if he wants to be a three down linebacker.
Burris saw no time with the first team unlike his rookie counterparts. Instead, Burris showed impressive coverage skills in the second half. It was his lack of ability to play the ball in the air that doomed his performance. Burris had two touchdowns scored on him despite him being in tight coverage on both. He will need more experience to improve his ball hawking skills and ultimately see playing time.
Tight End Still an Issue
The New York Jets have hardly utilized the tight end position since the departure of Dustin Keller. Only eight catches in 2015 were recorded by tight ends for the Jets. Fans should not expect a large change in 2016. Kellen Davis is still not a receiving threat and his fumble on Friday night did not help his case. Even so, Davis remains the starter with a lack of talent surrounding him.
Third year tight end Jace Amaro had some high expectations coming into the offseason as he returned from injury. Amaro has been unimpressive this preseason and two brutal drops in week 2 should solidify his spot as only the number two option.
Zach Sudfeld also remains on the roster. Sudfeld had an impressive touchdown pass thrown from Bryce Petty which he caught in traffic. His shortcomings were still on display however as he fumbled shortly after.
Quincy Enunwa will likely see some packages in which he plays a role similar to the tight end position this year. Aside from passes to Enunwa, do not expect much production from the tight end position in 2016.
Wide Receiver Cuts Will Be Difficult
It is no secret that the receiver position is a strength for the New York Jets. Week 2 of the preseason showed how truly deep it is as well. Obvious players who are safe on roster are Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Enunwa, and Devin Smith. After them, there are many receivers vying for roster spots. Kenbrell Thompkins returned this offseason after nearly scoring a miracle touchdown against the Bills in week 17 of the 2015 regular season. Thompkins did not record a single catch in week 2 of the preseason and will have an uphill battle to make the team.
After Thompkins, Jeremy Ross is the only other receiver with NFL experience. Ross has made some nice plays and continues to handle return duties for the Jets. While rookie Jalin Marshall makes a push for the same job, Ross will have to hold him off to make the roster.
Jalin Marshall is also vying for a receiving spot. Marshall has been an impressive undrafted free agent for the Jets and has shown flashes as a return man. Marshall had some struggles in week 2 including a bad drop in the third quarter. As an undrafted player, Marshall must beat out veteran Jeremy Ross to make the team. If cut, Marshall will almost surely secure a spot on the practice squad if he is not signed by another team. Two other rookies are fighting for receiving spots as well.
Charone Peake is the only rookie receiver the Jets drafted. Peake has had a good camp but wasn’t too impressive in week 2. His 4 catches for 32 yards were still enough for him to make some noise in the box score.
That leaves Robby Anderson. Anderson seemed like the odd man out only a week ago, but his week 2 performance is sure to turn some heads. His six catch 131 yard performance was capped off by a 42 yard touchdown pass from Bryce Petty. Anderson is extremely fast and may have done enough to make a case for at least a practice squad position.
Kyle Williams and Chandler Worthy are both also currently on the roster. Neither player recorded a catch against Washington and it is unlikely either one makes the 53-man roster.
Keeping Four Quarterbacks Seems Likely
It is not often a team keeps four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. For the 2016 Jets, that feat is growing increasingly likely. Only two quarterbacks are surely secure on the roster. Starter Ryan Fitzpatrick is safely on the team and barring an injury, the sure starter as well. Fitzpatrick was nothing special against the Redskins completing only four passes for 35 yards. The only other safe quarterback did not record a single snap in the game.
Rookie Christian Hackenberg was drafted in the second round out of Penn State. He is considered a project and the Jets are taking their time before sending him onto the field. Hackenberg is currently the fourth quarterback on the roster and is as safe as anyone to make the final cut.
That leaves second year Baylor product Bryce Petty, and the polarizing Geno Smith. Smith has had a rocky career with the Jets but it is still unlikely that he is cut. His performance against Washington was poor to say the least. He completed only six of his thirteen passes for 47 yards. His night got even worse after he threw an interception which led to a Washington touchdown. Smith was better against Jacksonville in week 1, but he certainly has pressure behind him.
Second year quarterback Bryce Petty had by far the best performance of any Jets quarterback in week 2 of the preseason. Petty completed 16 of his 26 passes despite being sacked three times. He threw two touchdown passes both of which were into tight windows. His 242 passing yards were more than double that of Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick combined. It is important to remember that Petty was up against some lesser talent. If the Jets were forced to cut one, Petty would likely be the odd man out. However, his performance against Washington will certainly make it difficult for the Jets front office to feel comfortable cutting him.
