OTA’s are done, and minicamp is over. That means it’s time to talk about the New York Jets who are trending up approaching training camp… Defensive Edition! Similarly to the offensive version, two points must be made in regards to players who have showed out so far in OTA’s and Minicamp. The first is that the padless nature of OTA’s, along with the Jets’ utilization of lower intensity practices has meant that essentially it’s been a passing camp up to this point. As a result, we are primarily looking at linebackers and defensive backs, not defensive linemen. The other is of course just a disclaimer: We cannot project this list directly into who will have the best season, all we can do is keep tabs on those who have stood out or shown significant improvement.
See Also: 5 New York Jets who are Trending Up: Offense
Sauce Gardner, CB, #1
Sauce Gardner has shown everything you would have hoped since being the fourth overall pick of the draft. His size, stickiness in coverage, and change of direction have already impressed anyone watching. His energy and demeanor have already permeated into his defensive teammates. Not a single person has watched Sauce Gardner practice and just shrugged.The impressive corner out of Cincinnati didn’t let up a single touchdown in his three years as a collegiate starter…
Now, realistically we all know Gardner is going to give up a TD from time to time. Even the “Sauce” himself knows perfection is impossible. “As a corner nobody is perfect you know, but I still try to be perfect…” Gardner’s attention to detail and effort have not gone unnoticed by the coaches either. DC Jeff Ulbrich on Gardner: “He doesn’t repeat errors, he’s a guy that is so hungry to learn.” At this point, it’s hard to find a player who more aptly characterizes a player on the rise. Plus, he bought his mom a car.
Sauce Gardner bought his mom a car ❤️👏
(📸: @iamSauceGardner) pic.twitter.com/dL5qimtXbI
— PFF (@PFF) June 23, 2022
Lamarcus Joyner, S #29
Joyner is a rare find on the New York Jets: A starter over the age of 30. One of only three such players on the team, Joyner is set to return to be a veteran presence after missing almost the entire 2021 season. Joyner is also part of another club which surprisingly has even more members on the Jets: Starters who have been to a Super Bowl (four). With his safety and slot corner versatility, he provides a known commodity along with Jordan Whitehead that the Jets sorely missed a season ago.
At this point, we haven’t had any reports of Joyner doing anything wild in practice. The reason he makes this list is largely due to the fact that he is fully healthy and practicing with the starters. The Jets can get by without superstars at the safety position, but they can’t get by without reliable players, and that’s exactly what Joyner’s healthy return supplies them with. DC Jeff Ulbrich also made a point to mention Joyner’s vocal leadership, with such a young team, a tenured vet with Super Bowl experience is a great voice to have. Sure it would be great if Ashtyn Davis breaks out, but if he doesn’t, the Jets will be glad to have their nine year vet instead.
Ashtyn Davis, S, #21
If not for Denzel Mims, Ashtyn Davis may well have been the most derided New York Jet of 2021. To be fair, his struggles with coming downhill to tackle effectively are about as bad as it gets. However, Davis’ game was not without merits, and his coverage was actually better than he was generally given credit for. His two interceptions tied for the team lead, as did his three forced fumbles. Additionally, his coverage areas were not generally picked on by opposing QB’s either.
Davis must improve his pursuit angles, and be more consistent with wrapping up. His first opportunity to actually participate in an NFL offseason and training camp should go a long way towards achieving those goals. Davis missed both his rookie and sophomore training camps due to injury, and after returning with limited snaps in two games he was thrust into the starting role for the final 10 of the final 12 games of 2021. While we won’t know what Davis will look like as a tackler until training camp, it looks like his coverage has picked up right where it left off last season.
Ashtyn Davis interception. Picked off Flacco. Great one-handed pick. Looked like receiver was actually interfering with him. Back-to-back practices with an INT for Davis
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) June 9, 2022
Quincy Williams, LB, #56
Defense is always hard to get a good grasp on prior to training camp, but Williams makes this list for a unique reason. Although his aggressive play style led to some missed tackles, it also led to a lot of big plays in 2021. It’s always questionable to assume players will get better, since we know development doesn’t follow a linear path. Behind the scenes however, there is a clear belief that Williams is primed for a good year at linebacker.
The Jets coaching staff have talked up Williams on a number of occasions, but the NFL has seen countless coaches compliment players publicly only to supplant them with new talent at the soonest possible opportunity. This is not one of those situations. The Jets entered the 2022 offseason with a plethora of cap space and draft picks with sights set on addressing every possible issue. They acquired key players at S, CB, DL, OL, RB, WR, and TE. The notable exception? Linebacker. with all of those assets available, the Jets have not acquired a single LB of note. While there is still time to add a depth piece here or there, at this point it’s more than clear that the Jets view Williams as a legitimate starting player for their revamped lineup.
Carl Lawson, DE, #58
Carl Lawson, anime advocate, is not cleared for full participation. Yet he cannot be excluded from this list, because despite not playing a down in 2021, he is one of the most anticipated players to watch in the green and white. Anyone who caught a Jets training camp practice in 2021 could not help but stand in awe of Lawson’s dominance. He terrorized Mekhi Becton, beat up on George Fant, and generally frustrated the offense. That is, until he tore his achilles during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers.
10 months later, Lawson is on pace to be fully healthy and be a week one starter. He may be unavailable for part of training camp, and will likely be limited upon return. That doesn’t change the excitement surrounding him. It cannot be assumed that Lawson will step in and immediately be the force he was before the injury, but it’s impossible to ignore the player he was and could be.
Happy 27th birthday to Carl Lawson!
Lawson had a career high 64 pressures in 2020 before signing with the Jets✈️ pic.twitter.com/FZaRPlMxZz
— PFF NY Jets (@PFF_Jets) June 29, 2022
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