The New York Jets have concluded their preseason game obligations for the upcoming 2024 season. To the surprise of many, the team finished with a 3-0 record during the exhibition period. With the 53-man roster deadline due on August 27, it’ll mean some intriguing players won’t make the Jets’ roster. And it’s unlikely that some of these cuts clear waivers to get back to the practice squad. Because of that, the Jets will have some difficult choices to make as New York prepares for the regular season. These have been my biggest takeaways from the Jets during these preseason games.
The New York Jets have vast depth at DL and CB
One of the biggest strengths on this Jets team is their secondary and their defensive line depth. While the team doesn’t feature elite Edge rushers, they do have a variety of defensive lineman capable of rushing the passer and stopping the run. The biggest winners of this summer have been former first round pick Takk McKinley, Eric Watts, Leonard Taylor, and Braiden McGregor. And that doesn’t include the players who are slotted in ahead of them.
Unfortunately for the Jets, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to roster all of these players ahead of cuts. Any of the four aforementioned players could make the team – or not. The losses will sting, but it’s a good thing to have if you’re the Jets.
As for the secondary, Qwan’tez Stiggers and Jarrick Bernard-Converse have put together a summer that’s all but solidified their spot on the roster. Brandon Codrington has been doing his best as well, but there’s a chance he may be the odd man out once cuts occur. With that said, it’s more likely that Codrington can find his way back to the team’s practice squad than the aforementioned defensive linemen.
Tarik Cohen’s retirement saved Israel Abanikanda
Prior to the start of the preseason, it seemed like Abanikanda’s roster spot was in severe jeopardy of being taken. Then, the surprise retirement of Cohen occurred, and it instantly gave the third-year running back another chance to make the team.
Personally, it seemed as if the Jets wanted to roster running backs that could be allocated in different positions throughout the roster (like returner). Between that, and a bad training camp, Abanikanda’s roster spot seemed all but gone. However, the third-year back has played admirably in the three preseason games for the team. More recently, he pulled off a tremendous run against the New York Giants in the Snoopy Bowl on Saturday.
Izzy Abanikanda somehow stays on his feet and takes it 45 yards to the house to extend the Jets’ (+145) lead! 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/dvwUUN59DE
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) August 25, 2024
While it still seems hard to believe that the Jets will carry four running backs, there’s a chance that New York tries to sneak him back onto the practice squad.
The rust will be real
One of the biggest reasons teams play starters in the preseason is to shake off the rust. There’s nothing in joint practice that can compare to the real thing, and it’s why players like Patrick Mahomes play in the preseason despite being a Super Bowl champion.
The Jets have played very few starters in the preseason this year. This includes Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to be hit in a live game in almost two years.
Now, it goes without saying that Rodgers doesn’t need the practice portion that preseason helps players get acclimated to. However, considering the injury he suffered last season and the lack of contact taken, it seemed important for him to participate in at least one drive. The biggest issue, though, is the Jets’ Week 1 opponent.
To kick off the NFL season, New York will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. That isn’t a team to be taken lightly. It’s also not a team to face when you have to shake off the rust for a drive (or a quarter). Because of that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jets start out slow in that game.
