In the 30 years I've been a Jets fan, I am hard pressed to remember a time with this much young talent on the team. And maybe no draft class has caused as big a stir as 2022. So let's look at this new crop of rookies and try to come up with an idea of what they can contribute to Gang Green in the upcoming 2022 season.
Sauce Gardner, CB
Cornerback is probably the toughest non-quarterback position in the NFL for a rookie since opposing teams can single them out and design their gameplan around exposing them. That's why I was so happy to see the Jets draft Sauce Gardner at #4 overall.
Now I think teams will test him early, and there will be a bit of a rough adjustment at first. Playing quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will be a rough go in the first half of the season.
However, his ability to win one on one will emerge early and by the second half of the season, teams will realize this is a rookie not to be picked on. I will say he gets three interceptions, as he has recorded three picks in each year of college so why change, and 16 passes defended, which by the way, would have put him in the top 10 in the NFL in 2021.
Garrett Wilson, WR
I think early on he is only going to show flashes. He has had a few drop issues at Ohio State; he had six drops in 2021, giving him a drop rate of 7.9% when compared to 70 receptions. That places Wilson at the 40th percentile among 251 qualified college wide receivers. So that issue needs to be straightened up. That said, I love the footwork, the YAC ability, and the ability to get separation.
By the second half of the season, I think he will start to take a few reps away from Corey Davis. I expect him and Elijah Moore to emerge as the starters at wide receiver in 2023 but I'm not expecting the first season production on the level of a Jamarr Chase. Let's go with 61 catches for 529 yards 5 touchdowns.
Jermaine Johnson, DE
I expect the Jets to keep ten defensive linemen. And JJ will get his chances in pass rushing situations. But I'm just as excited, if not more excited, about his ability in the run game. Johnson ranked at the 89th percentile among qualified FBS edge rushers with a 79.2 run-defense grade at Pro Football Focus in 2021. He has 4.58 speed, which along with his relentless motor, allows him to make plays from behind when needed. As for his tackle finishing, Johnson missed only three tackles in the run game last year while making 44 tackles in that department, giving him a missed tackle rate of 6.4% that ranked at the 84th percentile among qualified college edge rushers.
At the end of the season, I will say he gets 41 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 4 sacks.
Breece Hall, RB
Probably no position is easier to make the transition to the pros from college than running back. And it seems like no player is getting more hoopla than Breece Hall. At the same time, no one is more concerned about the Breece Hall pick than I am.
Every Jets content provider, whether it's Buffalo, whether it's Jeremy Jake Asman, all of these guys are expecting this kid to make all the All-Rookie team, they're basically expecting Freeman McNeil, Curtis Martin, and Leon Washington all rolled into one. But his excessive use in college is one major concern I have, he had over 800 touches last season. Also I want to see if he can pass block and how effective he is at breaking tackles, which is something I have not seen him do on video yet. I will say he has a nice rookie year, with 868 rushing yards, 320 receiving yards and 6 total touchdowns.
Jeremy Ruckert, TE
The Long Island legend. I'm thankful that Joe Douglas signed two young veteran tight ends in CJ Uzomah and Micheal Clemons. Ruckert does not need to make an initial impact as a starter, whereas previous regimes would've drafted Ruckert and signed a run of the mill veteran tight end. So I'm a fan of the depth even if that may restrict Ruckert's numbers in year 1.
Ruckert needs to be utilized as a pass catcher first, as his blocking needs a little bit of refining as he only began blocking regularly while in college. But as a receiver, he only had two drops in his Ohio State career, posting an impressive 3.6% drop rate. He also caught 6-of-11 contested targets (54.5%). Let's say he gets 24 catches for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Max Mitchell, OT
This is the player who I expect to be on the 53 man roster but be on the inactive list for most of the season. He put up very good stats, but played in the Sub Belt Conference, one of the worst defensive conferences in the country. The hope is he does not have to see the field in 2022 but can unseat Chuma Edoga and Conor McDermott as the team's third tackle going into 2023.
Micheal Clemons, DL
The king of the press conference. But for all the fun we have had, where is the opportunity for him to play? It will take injuries for him to see playing time, let alone the roster. To this day, I still do not understand drafting another defensive end when there are gaping holes at free safety and linebacker and run-stopping defensive tackle. My feeling has been that Clemons is going to have to outplay 2 of these 3: Bryce Huff, Vinny Curry, and Jacob Martin. It's not going to be easy.
But here's the wrinkle. Jets defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton has commented that the Jets plan to use Clemons inside and out during his rookie season, meaning he will take snaps at both defensive end and defensive tackle. It's hard for me to imagine a 263 pound defensive tackle thriving in today's NFL, but perhaps he can rotate inside on passing downs.
Clemons has a lot of learning to do in terms of run defense. I will say he gets 14 tackles and 2 sacks, but doesn't emerge as more than the back of a rotational player for this year.
DQ Thomas, LB
Yes, I'm adding an undrafted free agent to my list. I like this kid's speed and his production in college.
Thomas finished his five-year college run with 309 total tackles (career-best of 88 in 2021), 53 tackles for loss (career-best of 17 in 2021), 20.5 sacks (career-best of eight in 2018), two interceptions (which were both in 2021), seven passes defended, and eight forced fumbles.
Thomas finished his college run with 309 total tackles (career-best of 88 in 2021), 53 tackles for loss (career-best of 17 in 2021), 20.5 sacks (career-best of eight in 2018), two interceptions (which were both in 2021), seven passes defended, and eight forced fumbles.
One injury to CJ Mosley or Quincy Williams, and the Jets have to promote a linebacker who will get some playing time. I am predicting Thomas starts the season on the practice squad but by Week 8, will be seeing regular reps for the Jets.
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