Winners
Mekhi Becton: There weren’t many gamers related to the 2023 Jets who took the sphere Thursday evening in Canton. Becton was one of many few exceptions. The Jets have two giant query marks on the sort out spots. With a 39 12 months previous quarterback, move safety is essential for the offense. Becton solely performed seven snaps, however he seemed superb in his transient time on the sphere. How a lot does it imply? Is Becton within the combine to start out? Ought to there be any concern after Becton and the teaching employees subtly alluded to some discomfort in his knee reducing his evening quick? It’s powerful to say, however I don’t assume Becton may have completed extra within the snaps he did get.
Zach Wilson: It’s a protracted street again for Zach Wilson. As a lot as something, I believe the Jets need to construct his confidence up within the preseason. His abbreviated evening was highlighted by a protracted ball deep down the left sideline that went for a 57 yard completion. Every thing about Wilson will possible be overanalyzed through the preseason, however his first evening goes down as successful.
Will McDonald: McDonald will in all probability spend his rookie season in the back of the Jets’ defensive position rotation, making preseason snaps essentially the most important reps he’ll get. In his NFL debut, he destroyed a bootleg play by not biting on a faux. Within the second half he generated strain by executing an efficient spin transfer. McDonald’s spin transfer was a piece in progress at Iowa State so it’s good to see any indicators of progress.
Malik Taylor: Preseason could be a playground for a 27 12 months previous with 4 years of expertise. It’s a probability to feast on younger gamers who aren’t developed and lack beginning skill. It shouldn’t be a giant shock to see him get open for a deep ball. The trail to a roster spot for the quantity six receiver is on particular groups, and Taylor made a superb sort out in punt protection.
Xavier Gipson: On that word, Gipson atoned for an early drop of a punt with a forty five yard kickoff return. The kickoff return loses significance by the 12 months within the NFL, however the skill to make explosive run backs nonetheless has a point of worth for a participant battling for one of many final roster spots.
Greg Zuerlein: Zuerlein isn’t a winner within the sense that he’s in a good battle for his job, nevertheless it’s good to enter the season feeling just like the kicker spot is stable for as soon as. Greg the Leg linked on all three of his discipline targets.
Losers
Brandin Echols: After making a pleasant early run cease, Echols had a horrible recreation. He dedicated a number of penalties and had an interception undergo his fingers. In the meanwhile I might guess Echols is the highest backup cornerback, however that would change shortly if he doesn’t step it up.
Jason Brownlee: I don’t need to go overboard getting on an undrafted rookie in his first preseason recreation. It’s simply after all of the hype he bought from coaching camp practices, I used to be anticipating one thing greater than 2 catches for 17 yards and a pair of drops. You may solely learn a lot right into a handful of reps, however the Jets in all probability solely have a single roster spot open at broad receiver. Two of Brownlee’s rivals made particular groups contributions, whereas Brownlee had a quiet recreation.
Tim Boyle: NFL rule modifications within the offseason have returned us to the times the place carrying three quarterbacks on the 53 man roster is crucial. On this recreation, Boyle did little to point out he is an efficient possibility for that position. Not that you just count on any third string quarterback to look nice, however I didn’t see a lot to counsel Boyle is healthier than a quarterback the Jets may log out the road.
Chris Streveler: It looks as if the preseason magic of 2022 has worn off. Streveler has restricted upside as a situational participant except he improves his passing. It doesn’t look significantly better after one preseason recreation. And whereas there’s a case to be made for Streveler as a change of tempo quarterback in a dashing package deal, such a package deal makes means much less sense for a staff with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback than it did a 12 months in the past for a staff operating Zach Wilson/Joe Flacco/Mike White on the market.
