Every summer before training camp, I look at the Jets' top 25 roster.
I've been doing this since 2012, and it's a fun exercise to do before camp starts.
A lot of it is predicting how the new additions to the team will perform and figuring out who is ready to take the big step.
Since I actually watched 17 games, I thought it would be interesting to do a postseason roster top 25.
This is my own interpretation of how they played and how important their contributions to the team were.
Players who were injured midway through the season, such as Aliyah Berra-Tucker, have been criticized harshly. I added him to the list because I think he was very good when he was playing.
If it were about 2024 predictions, obviously Aaron Rodgers would be high on this list, but that's not what I'm doing here. The year is 2023. Rodgers is not on the list after appearing in just four games.
This is my list. Please feel free to send it.
1. Sauce Gardner, Cornerback
Preseason rank: 2
You can't use statistics to explain how great Gardner is.
When you watch him shut down receivers every week and run that route and take away half the field, you appreciate him.
Gardner didn't throw an interception this season, but he certainly made a big one in Dallas. But most of the time, the team didn't go his way. Gardner continued his impressive rookie season by leading the team with 11 passes defensed.
Gardner has exceptional talent and a strong work ethic. The Jets need to make sure he stays here for a long time.
2. Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle
Preseason rank: 1
Williams wasn't as dominant statistically as he was a year ago.
He ended up with five and a half sacks, but I think you have to consider how central he was to the opponent's blocking strategy. Every team the Jets play had to consider Williams, which led to a lot of double teams. This allowed teammates like Bryce Huff and Jermaine Johnson to advance their careers.
3. Brees Hall, running back
Preseason rank: 6
I was skeptical of what Hall could do a year removed from anterior cruciate ligament surgery, but he showed no lingering issues from the injury.
Hall was dominant at times and became the focal point of the Jets' offense in the second half of the season. He had 994 rushing yards and 591 receiving yards.
Hall is explosive with the ball in his hands and should be even more fun to watch playing alongside Rodgers next year.
4. Quincy Williams, linebacker
Preseason rank: 14
It's been a great season for Williams. We've seen his ability to run sideline to sideline and make big hits since the Jets picked him up off waivers in 2021, but he's really elevated his game this season.
He no longer played out of control and showed strength in coverage. Williams was voted team MVP by his teammates, and he deserved it.
5. Garrett Wilson, wide receiver
Preseason rank: 4
It will be interesting to see what Wilson can do if the Jets have stability at quarterback. In his first two years, Wilson has recorded over 1,000 yards receiving, and that was against his seven different quarterbacks.
Wilson is an accurate route runner and can make people miss once he catches the ball. The offensive line around him is so bad that I feel like we're only seeing a glimpse of what he can do.
6. Bryce Huff, defensive end
Preseason rank: 19
Huff will get paid soon. The question is whether the Jets will check.
Huff has been a difficult player to evaluate in the past due to his lack of playing opportunities. However, his influence this season could not be hidden. He finished the year with 10 sacks and was a consistent presence in the backfield against the Jets.
7. CJ Mosley, linebacker
Preseason rank: 9
The old man in the middle also had a strong season. Mosley, 31, is one of the team's leaders and a true asset to the Jets defense. He is a sure tackler and play caller on defense. Mosley performed well in coverage for most of the season.
8. DJ Reed, Cornerback
Preseason rank: 7
Reed remains one of the few free agent signings that got this system right. Reed and Gardner are a great cornerback tandem.
Reed cut off a lot of receivers. He defended nine passes and recorded one interception.
9. Michael Carter II, Cornerback
Preseason rank: 16
Although Carter is often overshadowed by Gardner and Reed, he is becoming one of the best slot corners in football. Carter had nine passes defended and forced a fumble.
10. Jermaine Johnson, defensive end
Preseason rank: NR
Johnson promised a great second season, and he delivered. Johnson did a good job of establishing an edge, ranking second on the team with seven and a half sacks. Johnson made his first interception and returned it for a touchdown against the Browns.
11. Aliyah Vera-Tucker, offensive line
Preseason rank: 5
It's almost impossible to rank Vera-Tucker, who missed all but five games, but his impact was enormous. His offensive line collapsed when he tore his Achilles tendon, and losing him for the second consecutive season ruined the offensive line.
12. Tyler Conklin, tight end
Preseason rank: 11
Conklin had a career-high 621 receiving yards, but was unable to get into the end zone.
13. Greg Zuerlein, Kicker
Preseason rank: NR
I don't usually rank kickers and punters, but Zerlein's influence was undeniable. He missed three field goals all season.
14. Thomas Morstead, Punter
Preseason rank: NR
The Jets have another great specialist. He continually kept his opponents within five frames.
15. John Franklin Myers, defensive end
Preseason rank: 12
Franklin Myers was battling injuries late in the season and looked as if he lacked explosive power.
16. Jordan Whitehead, Safety
Preseason rank: 17
I like Whitehead more than most Jets fans and would like to bring him back next season at a fair price.
17. Quinton Jefferson, defensive tackle
Preseason rank: NR
Jefferson had six sacks and was a good partner for midfielder Quinnen Williams. he is a free agent.
18. Tony Adams, Safety
Preseason rank: NR
Adams had ups and downs in his first year as a starter. His biggest moment was an interception against the Eagles.
19. Joe Tippman, center
Preseason rank: NR
Tippman entered the game at right guard and was later converted to center. He has performed well for a rookie and should be the starting center next season.
20. Laken Tomlinson, left guard
Preseason rank: 20
Tomlinson struggled. I think he will need to take a pay cut to return in 2024.
21. Xavier Gipson, wide receiver
Preseason rank: NR
Gipson needs to develop as a receiver, but he provided one of the highlights of the season with his game-winning punt return in overtime against the Bills in Week 1.
22. Zach Wilson, Quarterback
Preseason rank: NR
This season, Wilson planned to watch from the sideline. He ended up taking over at quarterback in Week 1. It wasn't pretty, but Wilson had some good moments.
23. Ashtyn Davis, Safety
Preseason rank: NR
Is there anyone who has a bigger impact on every snap than Davis? He recorded three interceptions and three fumble recoveries as a backup.
24. Will McDonald, defensive end
Preseason rank: NR
The first-round pick barely played, but when he did, he showed flashes of brilliance.
25. Trevor Siemian, Quarterback
Preseason rank: NR
Siemian won two of the three games he started. he was fine.
I just missed the cut: Mekhi Becton, Jamien Sherwood, Solomon Thomas, Jeremy Ruckert, Carter Warren
Players eliminated from preseason: Aaron Rodgers (3), Carl Lawson (8), Allen Lazard (10), Mecole Hardman (13), Duane Brown (15), Connor McGovern (18), CJ Uzomah (21), Al・Woods (22), Corey Davis (23), Michael Carter (24), Mekhi Becton (25)
unusual business
This may be one of the quietest offseasons in recent memory for the Jets.
There are no changes to the coach, GM or coordinator, and we know who the quarterback will be.
This eliminates much of what could dominate offseason chatter within the team.
You never know what's going to happen with the Jets, and there's going to be a lot of noise around Davante Adams, free agency, and the NFL Draft.
But compared to last year when Aaron Rodgers was the manager and the year they had a coaching change, this year should be much quieter.
That's the status
Garrett Wilson had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, something the Jets had never done in their first two years in the league.
He had more receiving yards in his first two seasons than anyone in franchise history.
The top 10 are:
1. Garrett Wilson (2022-23): 2,145 yards … 178 receptions, 7 TDs
2. Wesley Walker (1977-78): 1,909 yards…83 receptions, 11 TDs
3. Al Thun (1985-86): 1,838 yards … 131 receptions, 11 TDs.
4. Keyshawn Johnson (1996-97): 1,807 yards … 133 receptions, 13 TDs.
5. Rob Moore (1990-91): 1,679 yards … 114 receptions, 11 TDs
6. Wayne Clevett (1995-96): 1,635 yards … 150 receptions, 7 TDs
7. Robbie Chosen (2016-17): 1,528 yards … 105 receptions, 9 TDs
8. George Sauer (1965-66): 1,380 yards…92 receptions, 7 TDs
9. Don Maynard (1960): 1,265 yards…72 receptions, 6 TDs
10. LaVeranues Coles (2000-01): 1,238 yards … 81 receptions, 8 TDs
Note: Don Maynard played his first season with the Giants and his second season with the Titans/Jets, so only his 1960 stats count here.
Source: Stathead
