The New York Jets Return: An In-depth Look at Key Storylines for the Hall of Fame Game
August 3, 2023
The Upsurge of Zach Wilson: A Tale of Progress and Hope
August 7, 2023
Uplifters
Mekhi Becton
Emerging as one of the key players in the 2023 Jets preseason, Mekhi Becton’s performance during the initial game against the Browns was commendable despite the limited time he spent on the field. With just seven snaps to his name, Becton exhibited a commendable level of skill, fueling speculations about his potential to secure a starting position. This is particularly crucial for the Jets, who are grappling with uncertainties at the tackle spots in an offense that heavily depends on pass protection, given their 39-year-old quarterback. However, concerns arose after Becton and the coaching staff hinted at some discomfort in his knee that led to his early exit from the game.
Zach Wilson
Zach Wilson, who is on a comeback trail, had a noteworthy performance. The Jets preseason was seen as a confidence-building avenue for Wilson, and the first game did not disappoint. His remarkable 57-yard completion along the left sideline stood out, despite his overall performance being subjected to intense scrutiny.
Will McDonald
Will McDonald, a rookie expected to stay at the end of the Jets’ defensive line rotation, used the preseason snaps to his advantage. His first NFL game saw him dismantle a bootleg play by avoiding a decoy. In the second half, he managed to generate pressure through a well-executed spin move, which was a work-in-progress at Iowa State, signaling a positive development in his playing style.
Malik Taylor
At 27, Malik Taylor brought his four years of experience to the playground-esque preseason. He made use of the opportunity to excel against less experienced players, resulting in a deep ball open. As the sixth receiver, Taylor’s path to securing a roster spot lies in special teams, and he impressed with an outstanding tackle in punt coverage.
Xavier Gipson
Despite an early punt drop, Xavier Gipson managed to make up for it with a 45-yard kickoff return. While the significance of kickoff returns in the NFL has been dwindling, the ability to make explosive run backs can still be valuable for a player fighting for one of the final roster spots, like Gipson.
Greg Zuerlein
Greg Zuerlein, or Greg the Leg, proved his worth by successfully connecting all three of his field goals. This reassured his team that the kicker spot is in safe hands as they entered the season.
Downfallers
Brandin Echols
Brandin Echols didn’t have the best day on the field. Despite an early run stop, Echols seemed to crumble under pressure, committing multiple penalties and missing a potential interception. As the current top backup cornerback, Echols needs to step up his game to secure his position.
Jason Brownlee
The first preseason game was a disappointment for the undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee. After receiving hype from training camp practices, his performance was underwhelming with just 2 catches for 17 yards and a couple of drops. With only one open roster spot at the wide receiver, Brownlee’s competitors outshined him with their special teams contributions.
Tim Boyle
Tim Boyle failed to make an impression during the Jets preseason opener. Even though expectations weren’t high for the third-string quarterback, Boyle’s performance was lacking, leaving questions about whether there are better quarterback options available off the street.
Chris Streveler
Chris Streveler seems to have lost the preseason magic of 2022. His situational player potential is limited unless improvements are made to his passing game. Even though there could be a case for Streveler as a change of pace quarterback in a rushing package, this makes less sense for a team with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback compared to the previous year when Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White were in charge.
