With summer on the brink, football team activities are just beginning to heat up. The Jets certainly have a lot on their hands with an intriguing quarterback situation, new coaches, and a handful of poised rookies. Now that minicamp is officially in the books, we take a look at some of the most important takeaways:
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Jets finally have a good problem at Quarterback
This offseason didn’t go quite as New York expected. After going all-in on a bid for Kirk Cousins, he elected to sign in Minnesota to a lucrative deal. Ironically, the man that the Vikings let walk, Teddy Bridgewater, chose the Jets to start his career anew with.
Josh McCown re-signed, Gang Green looked to have some insurance down the road with Bridgewater in camp. As if that wasn’t enough, management decided to make a trade with the Colts to move up three spots in the draft – landing them Sam Darnold.
Prior to any team activities, experts pegged McCown as the Week 1 starter, Bridgewater as the man on deck, and Darnold the future to be stashed away. Well, the Jets can thank an already exciting offseason for shaking up that theory.
All three quarterbacks look capable of starting – yes, you read that right. McCown had arguably his most productive season in New York last year and Bridgewater has never looked so mobile and accurate since his injury. The biggest surprise coming from the rookie, who is making legitimate noise to start Week 1.
Darnold has handled every obstacle thrown at him thus far. He has looked accurate, is becoming increasingly smarter at reading the defense, and ball security is an issue of the past. If minicamp has proven anything, it’s that New York may finally have a good problem at quarterback.
QBs at minicamp, a thread: pic.twitter.com/M72hnDHDzq
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 15, 2018
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 15, 2018
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 15, 2018
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The secondary is primed for a breakout year
The Jets weren’t afraid to throw some money around this offseason, even with losing out on Cousins. Arguably the best available cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, signed a massive five-year, $72.5 million deal with New York.
The Jets were also able to resign Morris Claiborne and draft Perry Nickerson late in the draft. Adding these pieces to a core of Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, and Buster Skrine simply adds talent for Todd Bowles to be creative with.
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After losing Rontez Miles to injury, Gang Green quickly inked J.J Wilcox to a contract, stealing him right from under San Francisco’s nose. Capable of dropping back into coverage or stacking the box, Wilcox will move around the field in three-safety packages while also providing depth at the position.
With a true No. 1 corner on the field, in Johnson, the Jets are in a favorable position. Claiborne spent all of last season shadowing the opposition’s best receiver and now he can dominate the competition on the left side of the field. Skrine, who is best in the slot, will have to battle with newcomer Nickerson for his role on defense.
New York hasn’t seen so much talent in their secondary since the prime Revis-Cromartie days. If Bowles can get the most out of this core, we may see something special in 2018.
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A crowded receiver room
The Jets almost have too many wideouts in camp to keep track of. Compiling talent is one thing but overcrowding a roster with one position creates problems.
Only three wide receivers on the roster have eclipsed 100 career receptions. Andre Roberts (244), Jermaine Kearse (218) and Robby Anderson (105) headline the group. Roberts, who was primarily brought in to help the return game, may not even make the team. Kearse and Anderson, however, are practically locks – even with Anderson’s run-ins with the law.
Five wideouts were selected by New York in past years’ drafts – Quincy Enunwa, Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, Devin Smith, and Charone Peake. Enunwa is coming off a serious neck injury and still receieves high praise from the organization. Stewart and Hansen are recent draft selections that the team wouldn’t likely part with yet. Hansen has shown flashes of brilliance in the offseason, thus far, receiving many compliments from coaches and teammates.
Free-agent acquisition, Terrelle Pryor, has dealt with injuries for much of his short time in New York. With a team-friendly contract, much of it guaranteed, the Jets are willing to be patient with their new project.
Other names to keep in mind are Jalin Marshall, Lucky Whitehead, and Tre McBride. Each of these names would likely make the roster as a returner, as New York has struggled in this area. Hopefully, a player like Whitehead, who is coming off injury, would be able to sure up the position.
One true takeaway from minicamp – there isn’t a true No. 1 on the field. Lately, quarterbacks like Dak Prescott have doubted the importance of that presence. However, having a premier talent would certainly help a young quarterback, such as Darnold. The Jets are hopeful that they have enough talent to make up for it.
– Anthony Talarico is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @ant_tal Follow @FPC_Jets
