While rookie running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis were doing their thing during Saturday's preseason opener against Washington at MetLife Stadium, Breece Hall and the rest of the Jets' prospective starters on offense (and defense) were walking the sideline in the sunshine.
And for all the rightful attention on the rambling rookies (Allen carried 6 times for 54 yards and Davis caught 4 passes for 33 yards), Hall is No. 1 on the depth chart. For all his talent on the field, running backs coach Tony Dews said on Monday that Hall has been a complete team player.
"Probably the best thing about him is he's been awesome with the other guys in the room," Dews said. "You know, obviously he's enrolled as a starter and you see these other guys out there, competing and practicing doing a good job. He doesn't blink. You know, he certainly has confidence in his own ability. And he's very willing to help the other guys within the position. So that's been really nice."
Hall, the young vet in the backfield at a tender 23 years old, last season was tops among all backs in the NFL with 76 receptions and 591 receiving yards. His 1,585 scrimmage yards were fourth in the league, and entering his third season he is already tied for the franchise record among running backs with six 50-yard plays from scrimmage.
"I'm really excited about his ability to help us in the pass game and his ability to run routes in the passing game," Dews said. "And then in the run game, he's very smooth, yet he has this twitchiness and he's moving faster than he looks. Like sometimes I'm looking on the field and I'm like, 'raise your dragon, why don't you run.' And then I go look at the film and 'oh, he's moving pretty good.' "
D-Line Coach Aaron Whitecotton on Will McDonald
Though he played a modest 12 snaps against the Commanders, defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton said that Will McDonald, last year's first-round pick, has impressed him.
Asked on Monday what he's seen from McDonald, Whitecotton said: "Just incredible growth."
He added: "He's gotten so much stronger, credit to Mike Nicolini and his weight-room staff. He's definitely a stronger, better edge-setter. All of his game has improved that way. Mentally, I see a more mature player. Not that it was a problem or anything like that, just understanding the game, understanding the situations.
"He's come a long way. He's still got a long way to go. But I'm so excited for his progress, and the steps that he takes everyday are so encouraging and Will's on the right track."
As a rookie (out of Iowa State, like Breece Hall) last season, McDonald appeared in 15 games, taking 184 snaps (18%) and logging 3 sacks, with an additional 184 snaps (19%) on special teams. In Saturday's game, his best moment came on a quick spin move that enabled him to get to Washington QB Jeff Driskel. But he was flagged for roughing the passer.
"The progress he's made in the run game, let's see that turned into plays, let's see those turned into TFL, let's see his strength and his bulk, let's see those turn into the plays we've all seen him make and he is capable of making," Whitecotton said. "Just continuing to build on his pass rush, just understanding acumen, now that I have the strength to go stab somebody, I can go inside, I can go outside and continue to put all those pieces together. But I can't be more proud with how the young man is working."
Malachi Corley Is 'Getting There'
Malachi Corley, the Jets' third-round pick in April's NFL Draft, came to the team with the moniker of "YAC King" for his physical, after-the-catch ability to pick up yards.
On Monday, wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said that the rookie wide receiver has been working to absorb the playbook after taking 18 snaps (33%) and making 4 catches for 27 yards (6.8 yards per) in Saturday's preseason opener against Washington.
"I think you saw how physical of a runner he is with the ball in his hands," Jefferson said. " And I think that's going to be a huge part of his game. We talk about a style of play and he fits that style of play that we're talking about being physical with the ball in his hands."
He added: "I'm satisfied with his progress, but again, he's got a long way to go -- but he's getting there."
