Three of the Jets' seven draft picks were in action Saturday when the Green & White defeated the Giants, 10-6, in their final game of the preseason. Below is a recap of how several first-year players performed.
DE Braiden McGregor & DL Leonard Taylor III (UDFAs)
The Jets duo of undrafted rookie pass rushers set the tone for a dominant evening by the Green & White's defensive line Saturday. The team totaled 8 sacks,13 QB hits and 3 tackles for loss and allowed just 199 total yards of offense.
McGregor, who signed with the Jets out of Michigan after April's NFL Draft, collected 2 sacks, 4 tackles, 3 QB hits and a TFL against Giants. Taylor, signed out Miami (Fla.), amassed 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, 4 tackles and a TFL.
"[Taylor] has really come along the last couple weeks," HC Robert Saleh said. "Obviously, he's still a rookie, has a long way to go. But definitely over the last couple of weeks thought he's done a really nice job."
Mid-way through the second quarter, the Jets sacked Giants QB Tommy DeVito on three straight plays. Taylor registered a half-sack one play, and McGregor had a half-sack on the final two plays.
"I think [defensive line coach] Aaron Whitecotton does an unbelievable job with that group every year," HC Robert Saleh said. "We feel like we're always going to find ways to have depth and every year we're going to have to let somebody go that's a 53-man-roster-caliber player. But there's some decisions to make on that front and a lot of guys made it difficult today. It was cool to watch all those guys get after it."
WR Malachi Corley (Rd. 3, No. 65)
Corley had a quiet night offensively registering a single reception for 5 yards. He played only the first half and ended the preseason with 7 receptions for 42 yards. A lock to make the team, Corley will be versatile option for QB Aaron Rodgers and the Jets offense because of his tough running style and big-play capability.
CB Qwan'tez Stiggers (Rd. 5, No. 176)
Stiggers saved his best for last recording a preseason-best 5 tackles, third most on the team, and recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff that led to the Jets' first points. CB Tre Swilling punched the ball out of the hands of Giants' WR Ayir Asanate and Stiggers dove on it, winning the ball in a scrum.
The former CFL defensive back registered 11 tackles in total over three preseason games and had a single tackle for loss. He performed well in coverage, as well as on special teams, starting at gunner against the Panthers and Giants.
S Jaylen Key (Rd. 7, No. 257)
Mr. Irrelevant played the most snaps (56, 84%) of any player on defense for the Jets against the Giants. The former Alabama DB posted 4 tackles and ended his first preseason 11 total.
See the best photos from the 2024 preseason finale against the Giants.
LT Olu Fashanu (Rd. 1, No. 11), RB Braelon Allen (Rd. 4, No. 134), RB Isaiah Davis (Rd. 5, No. 173) and QB Jordan Travis (Rd. 5, No. 171)
As they Jets gear up for the regular season, Fashanu, Allen and Davis were among the 35 players that did not play for the Green & White.
Fashanu started each of their first two preseason games, at left tackle against the Commanders and right tackle versus the Panthers. Allen carried the ball 14 times for 81 yards and caught 2 passes for 12, and Davis, who suited up in case of an emergency Saturday, totaled 8 carries for 22 yards and 5 receptions for 33 yards over the two prior games.
Travis did not participate in preseason and remained on the Non-Football Injury or Illness list (NFI) while recovering from an ankle injury he sustained in his last year at Florida State.
