The preseason officially kicks off on Thursday, August 3rd with the Hall of Fame game. A rich tradition for the league during Hall of Fame week featuring teams of the inducting class. This year, the game features the Cleveland Browns vs the New York Jets, honoring the inductions of Darelle Revis, Joe Klecko, and Joe Thomas.
Both teams enter the season looking to return to the playoffs after newsworthy offseasons. The matchup is the first time the Jets will face Cleveland after the Elijah Moore trade. The preseason helps coaches and general managers alike gain a better understanding of their rosters before Week 1. For New York, it will be an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and earn playing time heading into the season. Here are three players that can take advantage of the additional game.
3 Jets Players Who Can Impress During the Hall of Fame Game
Jason Brownlee
It’s rare to see an undrafted free agent make an impact early in camp, but most undrafted free agents aren’t Jason Brownlee. The wide receiver room became a position of strength after some high-impact additions by Joe Douglas. The two-time all-conference wide receiver was a standout for Southern Mississippi, finishing his senior year with 55 catches for 891 yards and eight touchdowns. His efforts during OTAs impressed the organization and have carried over during camp.
As he builds chemistry with Zach Wilson and second-team offense, he can make his push for the 53-man roster with a strong performance in the Hall of Fame game. Considering how much talent is at the position, Brownlee deserves a lot of credit for finding a way to stand out.
Jermaine Johnson
Joe Douglas was ecstatic when Jermaine Johnson fell to the 26th pick last year. Entering his second season, Johnson is on a mission to prove he’s just as talented as his fellow first-round picks in 2022 in Rookies of the Year Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. The team is enamored with Johnson’s development in this training camp. He has been working exclusively with the first-team defense in drills, usurping Carl Lawson. With all indications that Johnson will be featured heavily, a dominant performance against the Browns’ offensive line in the Hall of Fame game is a considerable first step toward a great season.
Jermaine Johnson with a sack #Jets pic.twitter.com/d84KiphKan
— JetsTalk24/7 (@JetsTalk247) July 30, 2023
Jeremy Ruckert
Last season left a lot to be desired for Jeremy Ruckert. The Ohio State tight end had only one catch and eight total yards last season. Needless to say, New York’s lackluster quarterback situation impacted his underwhelming production. Ruckert played with Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and C.J. Stroud under center in college. Compared to Zach Wilson, that’s a significant gap in talent for Jeremy to adjust to.
Ruckert is motivated to prove he was worth the third-round pick last year and his performance in training camp has been encouraging. After recovering from plantar fasciitis, the 6′-5″ Long Island native has made the most of his snaps with Tyler Conklin injured. After a rough first season in New York for C.J. Uzomah, Ruckert could be in line for the team’s second-unit tight end spot going forward.
Honorable Mention: Zach Wilson
The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers this offseason ensured Zach Wilson won’t be starting in New York this year. The second overall pick in 2021 now finds himself fighting for the backup quarterback position with Tim Boyle. Despite losing his starting job, Zach Wilson has taken the move in stride. He’s observing Rodgers with a watchful eye every practice to pick up tips from the future Hall of Famer. If he can perform well in the Hall of Fame game, perhaps there’s hope for his NFL career long-term, be it in New York or elsewhere.
Main Photo: Jonathan Jones – USA Today Sports
