Five players who impressed the Jets

[hmhertz]

Here are 5 players who impressed for the Jets this offseason, including a surprise on O and D

Yesterday, 11:07 AM

Here are 5 players who impressed for the Jets this offseason, including a surprise on offense and defense

Updated: Jun. 21, 2022, 9:23 a.m. | Published: Jun. 21, 2022

By Andy Vasquez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets had a busy offseason, adding several key players at important positions. And throughout the offseason program, starting in May with OTAs through mandatory minicamp, we got a glimpse at how it all might fit together.

So what does it all mean?

Tight ends coach Ron Middleton said it best earlier this month, comparing what we see on the practice field in these early days to players practicing in “pajamas.”

We’re not going to really know what it all means until there’s contact.

But an offseason can certainly derail a player — Denzel Mims’ 2021 nightmare started long before he stepped on the field in the fall — and it can certainly be a sign of contributions to come — Braxton Berrios was consistently a standout last fall, before a strong season earned him a new deal this offseason.

So who stood out for the Jets during OTAs and minicamp? Here are five players that caught our eye .

5. TE Lawrence Cager

Cager has been a frequent contributor at wide receiver during the Jets’ offseason since they picked him up as an undrafted free agent in 2020. But after injuries robbed him of the chance to become a consistent contributor in each of the past two years, Cager had his best offseason yet after making a position switch to tight end.

Cager’s time at tight end started as an experiment but turned into a legitimate training camp storyline to watch after he earned frequent snaps with the first team this spring. We won’t know if he’s ready for the big-time until Cager has to block in full-contact action during training camp and the preseason, but his route-running is already elite as a tight end and his ability to consistently get open and make plays during the spring bears watching moving forward.

4. WR Garrett Wilson



The Jets’ No. 10 overall pick was quiet early in the offseason program but had a nice finish with some difficult catches during minicamp. But what really stood out at this early stage in his career is Wilson’s versatility and understanding of the offense. He already proved in college that he can be productive out of the slot and from the outside, and he was able to line up at both spots and make plays this spring.

He also impressed teammates with his approach, including one proven veteran: “Dude’s special,” Corey Davis said of Wilson late in OTAs. “Dude is real special. He has crazy routes, crazy hands and he’s really focused. He’s a guy that’s locked in and asking questions and trying to get better.”

3. S Ashtyn Davis

Injuries forced Davis into important action in 2021, and it wasn’t exactly an encouraging season for the 2020 third-round pick as he struggled in coverage and in the run game, leaving his future role on the team in question. But Davis appeared to make some strides this offseason with several big plays on the practice field, including an impressive one-handed interception in the final days of OTAs.

Davis is only 25 years old and has the physical tools to be successful in this league — and has shown some glimpses of that potential with two interceptions last season. There is still time for him to become the player the Jets they thought they were drafting, but he’ll have to continue showing it during training camp and the preseason for him to earn a meaningful role this fall.

2. CB Sauce Gardner

The bar is obviously very high for Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick and the first defensive back selected by the Jets with a top-five pick in the NFL Draft. Gardner wasn’t perfect during OTAs and minicamp; Corey Davis and Elijah Moore got the best of him on more than one occasion. But he showed an attention to detail and a confidence that impressed his teammates and coaches.

“He doesn’t repeat errors,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “He’s a guy that is so hungry to learn. If he gets beat, most of the time he just figure it out on his own because he has such a good football brain, and a thirst for the game and a thirst to get better and learn and grow.”

And Gardner showed that, saving his strongest performance for late in minicamp when he got the best of Zach Wilson and the defense near the end of a practice with a pass break-up in 11-on-11 drills and a red zone interception in seven-on-seven.

1. WR Jeff Smith

There’s always one unexpected player who stands out during the early part of the offseason, and this year it was definitely Smith. He had the most productive offseason program of any offensive player, showing of a great connection with his young quarterback and making big plays in seemingly every practice.

His best day came on the final day of minicamp, when Wilson continued to find him for big plays including a wonderful over-the-shoulder catch at a dead sprint after beating cornerback Bryce Hall.

Smith was already a favorite to make the roster because of his ability as a gunner on special teams. But he’s never developed into a consistent offensive option in his three seasons with the Jets (26 catches for 296 yards and no touchdowns since 2019). Could that be about to change? It’s not a crazy thought after this offseason.

[Alka]

Two surprises for me.  One who is on the list, and one who is not on the list.

Lawrence Cager- "Elite" run routing skills?  We would really go from famine to feast in the tight end room, if Cager balls out and earns a spot on the team.

Mims-  Him not being on this list, after the coaches gushed about how he showed up to camp, is a concern to me. How is an undrafted Cager on this list, but the 2nd round Mims not on this list?  Could be the beginning of the end for him.  We will wait and see.

[JohnnyLV]

12 minutes ago, Alka said:

Two surprises for me.  One who is on the list, and one who is not on the list.

Lawrence Cager- "Elite" run routing skills?  We would really go from famine to feast in the tight end room, if Cager balls out and earns a spot on the team.

Mims-  Him not being on this list, after the coaches gushed about how he showed up to camp, is a concern to me. How is an undrafted Cager on this list, but the 2nd round Mims not on this list?  Could be the beginning of the end for him.  We will wait and see.

I think Cager makes the team as a sort of non blocking Y receiver in 12 personnel sets that are really more like 11. Can he stay healthy is the question. We likely keep 4 TEs

[Dinamite]

17 minutes ago, johnnysd said:

I think Cager makes the team as a sort of non blocking Y receiver in 12 personnel sets that are really more like 11. Can he stay healthy is the question. We likely keep 4 TEs

I think cager is perfect for the practice squad as a developmental player this year to master the position.   Maybe a call up during season, but that would put him in good shape for the year after.

[Joe W. Namath]

Love me some ashyton davis.  If he stays healthy, hes going to be real good for us.  He can be that safety that gets us interceptions.

[Larz]

Here are five players that caught our eye
 

our

 

 

lol

[Jet Nut]

So it’s supposedly a list of players who impressed the Jets. 
And then he gives us a list of players he was impressed with.

Writing at its finest

[Alka]

2 hours ago, johnnysd said:

I think Cager makes the team as a sort of non blocking Y receiver in 12 personnel sets that are really more like 11. Can he stay healthy is the question. We likely keep 4 TEs

I think you're right!  Staying healthy is always the question.

[Bungaman]

Cager might have average WR route running skills that now translate into above average for a TE. Which is fine - but he'll have to be showing the coaches that he can do the blocking and other essential stuff. 

[BurnleyJet]

6 hours ago, Alka said:

Two surprises for me.  One who is on the list, and one who is not on the list.

Lawrence Cager- "Elite" run routing skills?  We would really go from famine to feast in the tight end room, if Cager balls out and earns a spot on the team.

Mims-  Him not being on this list, after the coaches gushed about how he showed up to camp, is a concern to me. How is an undrafted Cager on this list, but the 2nd round Mims not on this list?  Could be the beginning of the end for him.  We will wait and see.

Mims will be lucky to be WR 5 on this team. 

[FootballLove]

Maybe Mims and Jeff Smith can join the TE room! Seems to be the pattern....

[roscoeword]

1 hour ago, FootballLove said:

Maybe Mims and Jeff Smith can join the TE room! Seems to be the pattern....

Like Richard Caster {88}

[Alka]

8 hours ago, roscoeword said:

Like Richard Caster {88}

Richard Caster might have been the best tight end the Jets ever had.  

[Vudu]

If Mims breaks out we’ll be playing with house money.

[PepPep]

Wish guys like Lawson, Huff, JJ, QW, JFM even Martin were on the list b/c we desperately need Pass Rush.

However, I love seeing Wilson and Sauce on there. And its nice to see Davis on there because of the uncertainty of the FS position and depth.  

[TheClashFan]

Ashtyn Davis strikes me as a guy who'll always flash his athleticism but never be consistently good or healthy over time as a Safety.  I hope I'm wrong about that.  If I'm not, he tops out as a special teams commando.

 

[Warfish]

18 hours ago, Alka said:

Mims-  Him not being on this list, after the coaches gushed about how he showed up to camp, is a concern to me. How is an undrafted Cager on this list, but the 2nd round Mims not on this list?  Could be the beginning of the end for him.  We will wait and see.

The Coaches didn't write the list, a reporter did.  It's the reporters opinions.  We don't know (yet) what the Coaches think.

Honestly, at this point, the default presumption should be "Mims will be cut or provide nothing".  That's what his history shows to-date.  So anything we do get is cream, because the team has clearly planned for not needing Mims, with 4x WR's set to start in Davis, Moore, Wilson and Berrios.  

[#27TheDominator]

11 hours ago, roscoeword said:

Like Richard Caster {88}

 

2 hours ago, Alka said:

Richard Caster might have been the best tight end the Jets ever had.  

I still have the jersey around here somewhere.  Most people thought it was Toon, but I am even older than that.   I think the same can be said for Jerome Barkum (83).  He made the pro bowl as a WR, but eventually shifted to TE.  

[Jet Nut]

12 hours ago, BurnleyJet said:

Mims will be lucky to be WR 5 on this team. 

Mims is not going anywhere this year.  He doesn’t take up a lot of cap space and the team blames health for last season.  He’ll get a chance to prove he belongs or doesn’t 

[SickJetFan]

51 minutes ago, Warfish said:

The Coaches didn't write the list, a reporter did.  It's the reporters opinions.  We don't know (yet) what the Coaches think.

Honestly, at this point, the default presumption should be "Mims will be cut or provide nothing".  That's what his history shows to-date.  So anything we do get is cream, because the team has clearly planned for not needing Mims, with 4x WR's set to start in Davis, Moore, Wilson and Berrios.  

everyone getting desperate for something to write about for 3 more weeks.  I cant wait for TC to start - in meantime Knicks misery but Yankees kicking ass and taking names...they better not let Judge walk next year.

[JohnnyLV]

15 hours ago, Bungaman said:

Cager might have average WR route running skills that now translate into above average for a TE. Which is fine - but he'll have to be showing the coaches that he can do the blocking and other essential stuff. 

In this case I am not thinking that they would look to have him be a blocker or play inline. He would strictly be a Y receiver that could present all types of matchup issues since the opposing team would likely be in base defense. Like I said I can see his role as a receiving TE which could have a lot of impact. Ruckert, Conklin and Uzomah could hold the fort on blocking and inline roles and I am sure Cager can block well enough for his role. So more of a big 6th receiver than a TE.

[Warfish]

1 minute ago, SickJetFan said:

everyone getting desperate for something to write about for 3 more weeks.  I cant wait for TC to start - in meantime Knicks misery but Yankees kicking ass and taking names...they better not let Judge walk next year.

Yup.

And too many fans confusing "this reporters opinion of X" with the actual Coaching staff's opinion of X.

I know we're all high strung, years of suckitude and this exciting new young roster makes us so, but everyone really should chill out for a few weeks, and not read so much into some hack reporters opinions of this or that.

We will all be excited to see for ourselves what this staff thinks of this roster come camp and preseason.

[#27TheDominator]

42 minutes ago, johnnysd said:

In this case I am not thinking that they would look to have him be a blocker or play inline. He would strictly be a Y receiver that could present all types of matchup issues since the opposing team would likely be in base defense. Like I said I can see his role as a receiving TE which could have a lot of impact. Ruckert, Conklin and Uzomah could hold the fort on blocking and inline roles and I am sure Cager can block well enough for his role. So more of a big 6th receiver than a TE.

I assume you are envisioning him like Enunwa.  I can see that.  I think Cager is a nice enough developmental prospect, but he does have teeny hands.  Douglas must like him, cause he brought him in under Gase.  I assume that he will be competing for that role with Yeboah who is more of a traditional TE and played over 100 snaps of specials last season.  

[Joe the Breadman]

4 hours ago, Alka said:

Richard Caster might have been the best tight end the Jets ever had.  

Mickey Shuler and Jerome Barkum say hi

[#27TheDominator]

1 hour ago, Joe the Breadman said:

Mickey Shuler and Jerome Barkum say hi

Caster was better than both IMO.  I certainly think his statistics hold up against them.  Probably the only better TE the Jets drafted was Hempstead's John Mackey the HOF'er who elected to go to the old man's league and get his ass handed to him in Super Bowl III.

[CSNY]

10 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Caster was better than both IMO.  I certainly think his statistics hold up against them.  Probably the only better TE the Jets drafted was Hempstead's John Mackey the HOF'er who elected to go to the old man's league and get his ass handed to him in Super Bowl III.

Dom agree 100% No doubt Shuler was good but I think that he was a product of Waltons offense which favored tight ends and Gee Barkum was a better WR as he got moved inside as he aged and got a bit slower but Caster to me was a dam fine football player and under appreciated in Jets history 

[hmhertz]

17 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Caster was better than both IMO.  I certainly think his statistics hold up against them.  Probably the only better TE the Jets drafted was Hempstead's John Mackey the HOF'er who elected to go to the old man's league and get his ass handed to him in Super Bowl III.

Caster had an 18.1 yard average in his eight year Jets career. Averaging

over 20 three times and made Pro Bowl in 1972, '74 and '75

In an NFL player event he finished 2nd to Bob Hayes in the 100 yards

where players ran carrying the ball

[jgb]

I'm waiting for a Jets player to impress an opponent.

[UntouchableCrew]

Ashtyn Davis becoming anything would be fantastic and go a long way to salvaging the 2020 draft class. I've pretty much written him off so if he could be a starting FS (or even a quality rotational guy in the secondary) that's big.

[Alka]

6 hours ago, Warfish said:

The Coaches didn't write the list, a reporter did.  It's the reporters opinions.  We don't know (yet) what the Coaches think.

Honestly, at this point, the default presumption should be "Mims will be cut or provide nothing".  That's what his history shows to-date.  So anything we do get is cream, because the team has clearly planned for not needing Mims, with 4x WR's set to start in Davis, Moore, Wilson and Berrios.  

I didn't realize that a reporter wrote this with no insight from any coaching staff.  Thank you.

[Alka]

5 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

 

I still have the jersey around here somewhere.  Most people thought it was Toon, but I am even older than that.   I think the same can be said for Jerome Barkum (83).  He made the pro bowl as a WR, but eventually shifted to TE.  

It seems like we are both around the same age.  My 2 favorite receivers growing up were Jerome Barkum and Richard Caster.  After that, it was Wesley Walker.  Toon after that. Wayne Chrebet too.

[Alka]

3 hours ago, Joe the Breadman said:

Mickey Shuler and Jerome Barkum say hi

I loved both Mickey Shuler and Barkum as well.  Mickey caught a lot of passes, but Barkum and Caster were both better players IMHO.

[section314]

10 hours ago, Alka said:

Richard Caster might have been the best tight end the Jets ever had.  

Mickey Schuler says hi.

[DetroitRed]

5 hours ago, jgb said:

I'm waiting for a Jets player to impress an opponent.

The joint practice  last year provided some good insight into what was ahead.  Hopefully the team fares better this training camp 

[BurnleyJet]

15 hours ago, Jet Nut said:

Mims is not going anywhere this year.  He doesn’t take up a lot of cap space and the team blames health for last season.  He’ll get a chance to prove he belongs or doesn’t 

Jeff Smith May edge him out he may end up on the practice squad.