These three players will define the 2024 season for the New York Jets.
Under quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have gone from bottom dwellers to playoff hopefuls with plenty of talented players. The Jets’ signal caller is certainly the most important player for Gang Green this season. However, these three players will play an invaluable role in the team’s success, or failure, in 2024.
Joe Tippmann, Center
The Jets spent heavy resources into their offensive line this offseason. The team secured Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, and Olu Fashanu to solidify the tackle positions. They also signed John Simpson at guard to help their rushing attack, pairing him with Alijah Vera-Tucker. Yet the biggest question mark on the team is second-year player Joe Tippmann.
Last year, Tippmann started at guard before moving to center to finish the season. While his play was admirable, he will need to improve going into his second season. Tippmann received a 52.7 pass-blocking grade and a 67.4 run-blocking grade per PFF, good for 33rd and T-19th among centers, respectively (min. 100 snaps). However, it should be noted that the team was a disaster offensively last season. Between injuries on the offensive line, quarterback play, and play calling, it was hard for anyone not named Breece Hall or Garrett Wilson to succeed. Despite that, Tippmann was named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team. And heading into year two, there’s plenty of reason to think he will excel.
Working with a four-time NFL MVP at quarterback and incredible veteran presence on the OL, Tippmann is primed for a breakout season in 2024. And if he’s able to complete that growth, it could be just the tip of the iceberg for the Jets offensive success this season.
Will McDonald, Defensive End
Much will be made about the addition of Haason Reddick and a third-year leap for Jermaine Johnson. However, it’s the second-year Will McDonald who’ll be under the microscope in 2024.
McDonald was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. However, he’ll already be 26 years old by the start of the 2024 season. Despite his age and athleticism, McDonald struggled heavily with the Jets last season. He only mustered three sacks throughout 15 games, and played 30 percent of the defensive snaps only twice. McDonald’s 68.9 pass rush grade ranked 57th among 152 qualifiers (min. 50 snaps), yet it’s clear the fans (and the team) expected more out of their rookie.
The selection of McDonald was head-scratching at the time, and continues to be looking back a year later. The second-year pass rusher isn’t projected as a starter, yet will find himself playing considerably more than last season. And if the Jets defense wishes to further propel the team into success, a second-year leap is not only wanted, but a necessity for the team in 2024.
Tony Adams, Safety
It’s common knowledge that the Jets’ cornerback group is elite. Led by Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, and Michael Carter II, Gang Green hosts the best cornerback trio in the NFL. However, the weakness on the back-end for the Jets is the safety position.
Undrafted free agent Tony Adams came on strong in his second season with the Jets last year. The Illinois product secured 82 tackles with three interceptions and five pass deflections. His 68.0 defensive grade was 46th among qualifying safeties, and he’ll need to improve if the Jets want to find success in 2024.
Head coach Robert Saleh has openly declared that the safety position would be an open competition. The team re-signed Ashtyn Davis this offseason, who will likely be the biggest threat to Adams. However, the third-year player should be able to hold him off. If not, the pressure on the team’s cornerbacks will be extraordinary, leaving little room for error against opposing passing attacks.
