The Jets released their first unofficial training camp depth chart on Monday. Compiled by the team's communications staff, the offensive and defensive units are represented with 12 players – 12 (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) and 11 (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) personnel packages are accounted for offensively in addition to base 4-3 and nickel packages (5 DBs) for the defense.
3 New Offensive Line Starters
No surprise here, but other than Aaron Rodgers this is the most significant difference than the Week 1 roster (minus 4 snaps) last September. LT Tyron Smith (161), RT Morgan Moses (144) and LG John Simpson (38) have combined to start 343 regular-season games. And all three have postseason experience headlined by Smith's nine contests. It all starts up front and the Jets want to get after people on the offense the way they do along the defensive line. The arrivals of Smith (6-5, 320), Moses (6-6, 320) and Simpson (6-4, 330) also have meant an Alijah Vera-Tucker's permanent move to RG and better depth options.
With Smith (veteran rest), Moses (pec) and AVT (Achilles tendon) on pitch counts, the starting line has practiced together once in camp. That number will increase as the summer progresses.
"The league is chaotic, right? So, the odds of us playing with the same five all season are slim to none," said HC Robert Saleh. "So, it's good for them to work with one another and different combinations, but as long as we maintain our communication. … To get our Week 1 One group out there as quick as possible, so they can gel – that can definitely be beneficial."
Q's New Neighbor
The Jets have one of the NFL's top defensive tackles in Quinnen Williams and they've got some new bodies around him. The unofficial depth chart has Solomon Thomas, who racked up a career-high 5 sacks last season, behind Williams while newcomers Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu are slotted next to Williams on the first and second teams, respectively.
After four seasons with the 49ers, Kinlaw transformed his body by adding 30 pounds of lean muscle. He racked up a career-high 3.5 sacks and 6 QB hits in 2023 and is hoping to build on that effort in Year 1 with the Green & White.
"Just to stay on those double teams. I felt like last year I was getting moved a little bit probably just because I didn't have enough muscle," said the 6-5 Kinlaw who now weighs 330 pounds. "But when I take on these blocks out here, I just feel way more sturdy."
Take a look through the best photos from Week 2 of 2024 Jets Training Camp.
Allen Lazard In for Mike Williams
With WR Mike Williams on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Allen Lazard is atop the depth chart across from Garrett Wilson. With the Jets accounting for both base and sub packages on the 12-man depth chart, Xavier Gipson, who is dealing with a leg injury, is penciled in as the team's starting slot target. Lazard (6-5, 227), who has also been a regular during special teams drills, is in bounce-back mode after he caught 23 balls in 14 games last season. He totaled 14 TDs in 2021-22 when he was running routes for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
"I'm not here to prove anyone wrong, but just to prove myself right," Lazard said. "I have high expectations for myself this year, on this season and for this team as well, so at the end of the day, wherever this team ends up going is where I'll be as well. Whatever I can do to contribute to that is something I'll be very, very satisfied with."
RB2
Following Breece Hall, Braelon Allen gets the early unofficial nod over fellow rookie Isaiah Davis (third team) and second-year pro Israel Abanikanda (fourth team).
"We were two of the bigger backs in the class," Allen said Saturday of himself and Davis. "So, although he's just a little bit smaller than me, he still kind of runs with that fire and power, with low pads and the downhill mentality."
Hall is the bell cow, but the Jets have interesting options to spell him and keep him fresh throughout the season. Allen (6-1, 235), the NFL's youngest player, has a diverse skill set and is a willing pass protector
"I wouldn't necessarily say, I'm the best in the world at it, but it's something that I've grown a lot in, especially over the past year," Allen said. "But it's something that I take seriously and take a lot of pride in and something that I do want to be the best at. So, like I said, it's a work in progress and just trying to develop that skill every day."
Rookie Landscape
Olu Fashanu, the No. 11 overall selection in April's NFL Draft from Penn State, has worked solely at left tackle and appears second on the depth chart behind Tyron Smith. Malachi Corley, the team's third-round pick from Western Kentucky, is penciled in behind Xavier Gipson as the No. 2 slot. CFL product Qwan'tez Stiggers is listed under Sauce Gardner on the depth chart and is followed by Jarrick Bernad-Converse. Veteran Brandin Echols, a big-time special teams contributor who adds depth behind Michael Carter on the inside, also is slotted outside on the second team after D.J. Reed. After Tarik Coehn's retirement, rookie RB Isiaah Davis and Corley find themselves second and third, respectively, at both return spots behind Gipson.
Jetcetera
With Haason Reddick yet to report to camp, Micheal Clemons got the nod at one edge spot opposite Jermaine Johnson. Will McDonald, a first-round pick in 2023, is with the second team behind Johnson. …Ashtyn Davis, the ball-hawking safety who was used in big nickel situations last season, is listed behind Chuck Clark at one safety position and followed by rookies Jaylen Key and Al Blades Jr. … Max Mitchell and Wes Schweitzer have gotten a lot of work with Aaron Rodgers early in camp on the right side. Mitchell is listed as a second-team RT and Schweitzer as the RG behind Alijah Vera-Tucker.
