(Image credit Jim Dedmon / USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
The 2021 NFL Season was a disappointment for the New York Jets. There were players that impressed but unfortunately, there were many players that did not perform up to expectations. Now keep in mind this is not an article where I am completely going after the player. Even though they had bad seasons if we were in their spot we would be a lot worse than what they are. I hope they get better next year and things can change very quickly for them. Now that is out of the way let's dive into the article. Here are the Top 10 worst players on the New York Jets during the 2021 NFL Season.
10. DT Nathan Shepherd
It was very surprising that the New York Jets decided to keep Nathan Shepherd during the final cut day at the end of the preseason. As a former 3rd round pick Shepherd has not been awful but definitely a disappointment. I was willing to give Shepherd one last shot this season and well he did not do well this season. He was awful as a run stopper, missed many tackles, lacked awareness, getting constantly dominated by offensive lineman, and was not good as a pass rusher. I would not be surprised if the Jets chose to not re-sign him as Shepherd is a free agent this offseason.
9. OL Greg Van Roten
Van Roten was the starting guard for the majority of the season. He was easily one of the worst offensive linemen on the team as he was a liability in pass and run blocking. I even read a statistic many months ago that at one point he led the league in pressures allowed. Unsurprisingly he was benched in the season and I think he will be looking for a new team next season. Cutting Greg Van Roten would clear 3.5 million dollars for the Jets salary cap.
8. The Entire TE Core (Tyler Kroft, Ryan Griffin, and Kenny Yeboah)
Roses are red, Violets are blue, the tight end core once again struggles too. The Jets TE were once again abysmal. Ok, I am cheating here including an entire core but come on the Tight Ends were awful this season. Tyler Kroft can’t stay healthy, Ryan Griffin is a blocking tight end who regressed, and Kenny Yeboah was invisible all season. It is amazing how the Jets have still never found a consistent good TE replacement for Mickey Shuler and his last session with the Jets was in 1989. Hopefully, the Jets can find a Good Tight End in the offseason.
7. CB Isaiah Dunn
Isaiah Dunn was hyped up as being an underrated piece to this defense. Many were believing that Dunn could have been a big part of the Jets Secondary. After watching him throughout his time with the Jets he was an absolute disappointment. Isaiah Dunn was a liability in coverage and was mostly a healthy scratch.
6. RB La’Mical Perine What a fall from last season. Here was a guy who had the potential of being the starting running back to being invisible. I can’t remember if Perine had any impact on the Jets offense throughout the season excluding the Saints Game. Injuries did affect him and I hope he gets healthier. But even when he played he was not good. I hate to say it but with the emergence of Michael Carter it is not looking good long-term for Perine and it has proved how much of a bust the 2020 NFL Draft has largely been. Speaking of a bust pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Jets
5. S Ashtyn Davis
Remember the hype everyone gave for Asthyn Davis calling it a value pick. Yeah, I was never someone who was never a fan of Ashyn Davis coming out of college. I was not seeing the great value that everybody else was seeing. This season once again proved my concerns as Davis regressed as a tackler, has horrible awareness, terrible run defender, awful in coverage, and poor footwork. This is another reminder that the New York Jets and GM Joe Douglas wasted a 3rd round pick that they got in the Leonard Williams trade on Ashtyn Davis. At least they got S Michael Carter with the 5th round pick in the deal.
4. K Matt Ammendola
Matt Ammendola was an unknown underdog to win the Jets kicking job as many including myself thought Chris Nagger would take the position. But Ammendola was more consistent and had better posture. Unfortunately, he could not perform as strong as he did in the preseason and it resulted in him getting cut in the middle of the season. But did the New York Jets find a suitable replacement at kicker. Well….
3. K Alex Kessman
When you perform so badly that you make me wish that the Jets kept a struggling Matt Ammendola on the team then it is not a good look. Alex Kessman could barely make a kick against the Philadelphia Eagles. Heck, he was so bad that the coaching staff lost confidence in him and just went for two instead of kicking an extra point. Kessman was cut immediately after this game ended. One thing is for sure my goodness to the Jets need a kicker and I hope that they get one during the offseason. I said it before and I will say it again. I just wish the Jets had just Franchise Tagged or Even Transitioned Tagged K Jason Meyers when he was with us for one year but blame Mike Maccaggnan for that.
2. LB Jarrad Davis
Jarrad Davis was a complete flop of a signing this season. He was injured at the beginning of the season and when he played he was awful. He was a liability in coverage, took terrible angles when in pursuit, had weak awareness, and was a poor tackler. Heck, I even read that his PFF rating was 28.6 which is one rating that I have ever seen. Luckily it was a one-year prove-it deal that Davis was signed to in the offseason. I doubt the Jets sign him to another contract but I hope he gets another opportunity in the NFL.
1. WR Denzel Mims
What a disastrous season for Denzel Mims. His potential is at its lowest. He went from being hyped as a dangerous weapon when he was healthy to turning into Chris Herndon 2.0. Honestly, I am shocked that the Jets did not cut him in the middle of the season. He was a healthy scratch and even when he played Mims was awful. I doubt he is on the main roster next season.