Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: What stood out during Week 2 of Jets OTAs?
EA: A couple of quick notes from the practice field. Although they're out there in just shorts, the Jets have several dudes on the roster. It's fun watching D.J. Reed close to break up a well-thrown toss from future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers that was intended for Garrett Wilson. On the first play of team on Wednesday, Sauce Gardner diagnosed quickly to snuff out a quick Rodgers pass to Tyler Conklin. Then there's watching the Rodgers-Wilson connection continue to blossom and the Jets' new No. 5 has that determined look in his eye. Rodgers threw a wicked dart to Kenny Yeboah overt the middle that the tight end corralled in front of defensive backs left to shake their heads. I've been impressed with the pass-catching skills of rookie RB Braelon Allen and fellow rook Isaiah Davis also has flashed with his all-around game. And while taking this all in, I wonder what the future holds in springs ahead. I was surprised to read NFL Network's Tom Pelissero's report about a NFLPA proposal in the works that would call for the elimination of voluntary on-field spring work in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up in mid-June to early-July. For those players with young children in school, that might be a tough transition. And football around July 4th isn't something that I can fully wrap my head around just yet. As this Jets offseason winds down, we might be talking about a dramatic calendar shift in 2025.
RL: Emerging right near the end of this week was the Green & White OTA practice debut of the newly signed Tarik Cohen, who an hour after signing Thursday was catching passes, fielding kickoffs and displaying his still formidable speed. It's worth recalling Cohen's NFL history. As a rookie in 2017 he produced TDs running, receiving, passing and punt-returning — becoming first NFL player since 1976 to have one score in each of those four categories in a season. Then the Jets saw him during his 2018 All-Pro season, in the 24-10 Bears win, when he gained 110 yards on 6 scrimmage touches, including taking a short Mitch Trubisky pass out of the backfield 70 yards untouched for the longest reception by a back vs. the Jets in the last 10 seasons. I don't want to get too far over my water skis here, with summer coming, of course, but if Cohen can avoid the major injuries that derailed his career in 2021-22 and show he's got what the Jets need to make the final roster, he'd certainly be in the conversation for Comeback Player of the Year.
See all of the best images from Wednesday's week 2 practice of Jets OTAs in 2024.
CH: The offense and defense had a good week of practice, but what stood out to me on defense was rookie CB Qwan'tez Stiggers. He was taking multiple reps against the first team, which made me think that the coaches want to see what Stiggers is capable of when going against the best. He showcased what he can do when he had good coverage on a fade pass to WR Allen Lazard from QB Aaron Rodgers. I was also impressed with the tight ends in their second week of OTAs, specifically Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah. One pass from Rodgers to Yeboah left everyone in attendance in awe as he connected with Yeboah deep down the middle in a tight window throw for a touchdown. S Chuck Clark was only a fingertip away from stopping the completion, but Rodgers timed the throw too perfectly. I'm excited to see what 'wow' passes will be made next week between Rodgers and his receivers.
JP: As Week 2 of OTAs wrapped up, I couldn't help but notice the Jets' pair of rookie running backs – Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen – who, at least while players aren't in pad, look like they have adjusted to the pace of the game. A hard-nosed runner in four seasons at South Dakota State, Davis has flashed his vision and agility despite being the second heaviest (220 pounds) and the tallest (6-1) back on the roster. In an 11-on-11 period Wednesday, Davis showed off his patience waiting for a cutback lane to appear and accelerating through for a chunk gain. While he did play at the FCS level, Davis had an NFL-level workload in college carrying the ball 485 times the last two seasons, making him maybe one of the most pro-ready rookies in the league. As for Allen, he has shown himself to be effective in the pass game. In 11-on-11 with Aaron Rodgers under center, Allen caught three checkdown throws and made a leaping grab along the sideline for a big gain. Allen had 49 receptions in three seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers, but early on in OTAs looked comfortable as a receiver as well as a runner.