Jets training camp is moving right along as the team prepares to borrow the football facilities at Rutgers University tonight for their annual Green & White scrimmage. With plenty of players standing out in camp thus far, here’s a list of those you might want to keep a close eye on.
QB Sam Darnold: He’s the future of the franchise and has looked a bit better through each session since ending his three-day contract stalemate. We’ve seen him throw well on the run, move well inside and outside the pocket and stand out in the red zone. Every bit of progress is a welcome sight.
QB Teddy Bridgewater: With Darnold coming along and Josh McCown on board, the Jets are hoping Bridgewater can raise his play to a level that would allow them to pick up a draft pick or two before the season starts.
CB Derrick Jones: Since putting the pads on last week, Jones has been one of the best players in camp. He’s come away with multiple interceptions and had a couple that were called off as he came down with a foot in bounds. Either way, his off-the-charts athleticism is evident and the Jets are hoping the sixth-round pick could can reach his ceiling and become a full-time starter at some point.
RB Trenton Cannon: Another rookie who has stood out on just about every day of camp thus far, the speedy Cannon is positioning himself nicely to make this roster. He should also see some work as a return man.
OLB Obum Gwachum: Many fans have probably never heard of Gwachum, but believe it or not, he spent all of last year on the team’s 53-man roster despite hardly seeing the field. As a converted wide receiver, Gwachum is probably the most athletic pass rusher on the roster, and he’s been flashing lately at Florham Park.
After a slow start, Clive Walford has come on of late. There’s a good battle brewing at TE for the Jets.
The tight ends: Every day it seems as if we’re including rookie Chris Herndon and Neal Sterling among our top performers in camp. Both have looked very good catching the ball and off-season addition Clive Walford has also come on as of late. As we said here last week, these tight ends should help the Jets quickly get over the loss of Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Eric Tomlinson should be safe as he’s the team’s only true blocking tight end and does a good enough job as a pass catcher when opportunities present themselves.
DE Nathan Shepherd: Another rookie who has stood out through most of camp. Muhammad Wilkerson’s eventual replacement will be a breath of fresh air even before he makes a play as there will be a noticeable difference in effort.
WR Chad Hansen: There was a lot of talk about Hansen as training camp approached, but he’s been very quiet after an impressive first day. One could even make the case that while ArDarius Stewart hasn’t stood out either, there’s not a lot of separation between the two over the past couple of days.
ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis: Pierre-Louis is a pretty safe bet to make the roster as a back-up, but starter Darron Lee, who is having a good camp, hasn’t been a great deal better, if at all.
After tweaking a hamstring the other day, we’re assuming rookie cornerback Parry Nickerson will sit this one out, or he’d definitely be one to watch. Who are you looking forward to seeing most? Click here to join our forums and chime in.
Have a great time tonight, Jets fans.
