In a 2024 NFL season that began with so much promise and so many expectations, the Jets (5-12) struggled for consistency. The Green & White was in nearly every game, but the team's inability to finish proved to be a season-long problem in at least a half-dozen games. Here's a look at the snap count and how playing time was distributed during the Jets' 2024 season.

Ups and Downs for the Defense
The Jets' defense again this season was No. 3 in the league in total yards allowed per game (313.8) and was also No. 3 in yards allowed per play (4.99). There was, however, a divergence in yards allowed in the passing game (No. 4, 192.6) and in the run game (No. 17, 121.1). The defense was No. 13 in points allowed per game (23.8), No. 27 in interception rate (7 in total/1.34% per pass attempt) and No. 25 in first downs allowed (20.4 per game).

With captain C.J. Mosley hampered by injury nearly the entire season, four-year LB Jamien Sherwood (1,065/92.77%) stepped in ably and was second on the defense in snap counts. Quincy Williams (1,138/99.1%) topped the defense, playing all but 10 snaps. Cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner took an identical number of snaps (880/76.6%), while at safety, Tony Adams (766/66.7%) and Chuck Clark (709/71.6%) were tops.

Along the D-line, second-year edge Will McDonald IV (758/66%) led the team with 10.5 sacks and had 11 TFL, and Quinnen Williams (724/63%) added 6 sacks and 8 TFL.

Finding Some Stability Across the O-Line
After playing 13 different combinations along the offensive line in the 2023 season, the Green & White again dealt with injuries, most notably to veteran left tackle Tyron Smith (592 snaps/55.5%), but seem to have found a long-term answer at LT in rookie Olu Fashanu (533/50%). Though Fashanu ended the season on injured reserve (missing the final two games), he ably protected QB Aaron Rodgers' blindside when he stepped in as a starter (in Week 11) at the position he played full-time at Penn State. Fashanu also displayed his versatility and intelligence, taking snaps on the right side of the O-line to spell injured teammates.

Second-year center Joe Tippmann took all 1,066 snaps while RG John Simpson (951/89.2%) and LG Alijah Vera-Tucker (915/85.3%) were solid throughout the season playing next to Tippmann. Veteran RT Morgan Moses (722/67.7%) was dogged by a series of injuries but still had a solid season.

Reserve tackles Max Mitchell (224/21%) and Carter Warren (141/13.2%) provided depth up front when needed.

Overall, the O-line allowed sacks on 6.59% of pass attempts, which was No. 13 according to league statistics. But the Jets struggled in the run game while averaging 91.8 yards a game, No. 31 in the league.

Building of Youthful Core Continues
In the four most-recent NFL Drafts, the Jets have added key contributors on offense and defense. Last year's selections, particularly on offense, made important contributions this past season.

Olu Fashanu looks like a long-term fixture at left tackle. In the backfield, Braelon Allen (283/26.5%), the NFL's youngest player this past season, flashed early and provided a dependable answer in short yardage situations. Isaiah Davis (110/10.3% on offense; 263/60.8% on special teams) may have started the season slowly, but ended it well showing promise in the backfield and as a kickoff and punt returner.

Malachi Corley (83/7.8%) saw his playing time squeezed in a crowded wide receivers' room, particularly with the midseason addition of veteran Davante Adams (614/57.6%). On defense, CB Qwan'tez Stiggers (49/4.7%) saw limited action, but was a major contributor on special teams (215/49.8%).

In this April's draft, the Jets currently have eight picks, including the No. 7 selection overall (they sent one of their two third-round picks to the Raiders in the Adams trade).

Special Teams
The needs of special teams coordinator Brant Bowers reached the length and breadth of the 53-man roster, which expanded and contracted as needed across five months.

Exhibit A: Only three players -- QBs Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor and Breece Hall -- did not take a single snap on special teams all season. Along the low end of that scale -- with a single special teams snap -- were Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard. Two young stars -- Sauce Gardner and Alijah Vera-Tucker -- each took 6 snaps on specials.

At the top end were Sam Eguavoen (350/81%), ballhawk Ashtyn Davis (283/65.5%), Chazz Surratt (272/62.9%) and rookie Isaiah Davis (263/60.8%). Davis also had 25.8 return yards on his 9 kickoff returns. Qwan'tez Stiggers (215/49.8%), whom the Jets plucked from the CFL, made an impact on special teams.

The team lost the emerging ST gunner Irvin Charles (214/49.5%) to injury after the Week 13 game at Miami. The Jets had a single return for a TD, Kene Nwangwu's 99-yard KO return against Seattle in Week 13.