(Image Credit: Matt Ludtke/AP)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
The second preseason game was a big success for the New York Jets as they defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field 23-14 making their record in the preseason 2-0 for the New York Jets. In the game, there were many players that impressed me and others that were disappointing. In this list, I will go through five players that both were impressive and disappointing.
1. Player that Impressed - WR Corey Davis
If there is one thing that is clear with the New York Jets offense is WR Corey Davis is going to have a tremendous impact on the offense. Especially with Zach Wilson as the starting quarterback as in both the Giants and Packers game has been his favorite target. In the Packers game, he was targeted six times which was the most on the team. He was extremely impressive and is the most consistent receiver that is currently on the New York Jets. The best play of the game was his 27-yard reception which kept the drive alive and led to a touchdown by Tyler Kroft. He runs smooth routes, has great leaping ability, has strong hands, and has strong footwork. Corey Davis is definitely a player to keep an eye on as a fantasy football option in the later rounds of the draft.
2. Player that Disappointed - OL Corey Levin
The Offensive line did not perform very well against the Green Bay Packers. Alex Lewis’s sudden retirement gave a lot of opportunities to many Jets offensive linemen and they did not perform well. There were many linemen that disappointed but the one that really disappointed me was OL Corey Levin. Levin performed terribly against the Packers, especially when protecting the quarterback as defenders he blocked kept giving pressure to Mike White. He even was the reason why Mike White got hurt as he failed to block Wilborn. He was solid as a run blocker but needs to be more consistent as he on occasion misses blocks and fails to open holes inside the line of scrimmage (LOS). Levin needs to improve in the next performance against the Eagles if he wants to make the 53 man roster.
3. Player that Impressed - TE Tyler Kroft
The tight-end Core is still the weakest part of the offense this preseason. But in the last preseason game, there was finally life due to the performance of Tyler Kroft. He was a lot better in this game against the Packers than in his game against the New York Giants. He may have only had two receptions in this game but he was extremely impressive. Not only because both were touchdowns, but the way he scored them. He juked 4 defenders in one play in order for him to score one of his touchdowns which wowed me. The other touchdown was due to him beating coverage after he ran a smooth route. He definitely locked his roster spot with his performance vs the Green Bay Packers especially with the other options the New York Jets currently have. If he keeps this up then he will become the full-time starter for this team.
4. Player that Disappointed - WR Braxton Berrios
Braxton Berrios did not play against the New York Giants due to injury and Vyncint Smith took his role and had a solid performance both on offense and on special teams. Berrios did play and I have to be honest, Berrios looked absolutely terrible on offense. Yes, he did have two catches in this game for 17 yards but he is terrible with his balance, is a poor route runner, does not have the best hands, is sloppy with his footwork, and is terrible with his leaping ability. Even last year he had the same issues and showed no improvement this preseason. His true value is on special teams and he did not perform well on special teams either vs the Packers. Berrios absolutely needs to have a strong game vs the Philadelphia Eagles in order to make the 53 man roster.
5. Player that Impressed - LB Jamien Sherwood
I debated linking Sherwood with Hamsah Nasirildeen as they both are the experimental players for the Jets this season. But Sherwood was more impressive than Nasirildeen was vs the Green Bay Packers. He was very good in coverage and made strong tackles. He even had a nice fumble recovery at the beginning of the third quarter which then led to an eventual field goal for the Jets. Sherwood has also added value with his performances on special teams in games against the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. With Jarrad Davis’s injury, Sherwood will most likely be the starting linebacker while he recovers.
6. Player that Disappointed - TE Chris Herndon
Again I got to ask, Why is Chris Herndon the starting tight end for the Jets? He has continued to showcase multiple reasons why he should not be the starting tight end on this team. He continues to show a lack of awareness, poor route-running skills, and missed easy blocks on defenders. He looks so lost all game and he has clearly not gotten better since last season. Like I said in my latest roster prediction, all the hype Herndon had is pretty much all gone. He needs to have a better performance vs the Eagles if he wants to have a spot on the roster.
7. Players that Impressed - S JT Hassell and S Sharod Neasman
Ok, I am cheating here putting two players here but I couldn’t decide between both JT Hassell and Sharod Neasman. Ashtyn Davis being on the PUP list has given both Hassell and Neasman an opportunity to earn a spot on the 53 man roster. Both impressed me during the Packers game. Sharrod Neasman has been all over the place making plays both on defense and special teams. He is smooth with his footwork and is solid in coverage. JT Hassell has been a player that has impressed me through the last two games. Especially vs the Packers as he provided a lot of pressure to the quarterback and even had a sack in the game. He even is a strong tackler and can force fumbles on occasion. I would absolutely keep my eye on both players in the upcoming preseason game vs the Philadelphia Eagles.
8. Player that Disappointed - DE/EDGE Jabari Zuniga
Well, here we go again, another disappointing performance by Jabari Zuniga. In fact, he once again disappeared and did not make an impact at all in this game. When he was on the field he struggled as the backup Packers offensive linemen continued to block him all game. I don’t even think he recorded a tackle or provided pressure to the quarterback in both preseason games. At this point, I would just cut him. He continues to struggle every game and is not getting better. In fact, he is getting worse and worse. Again this is another reminder that the New York Jets and GM Joe Douglas wasted a third-round pick on Jabari Zuniga.
9. Player that impressed - K Matt Ammendola
Congratulations Matt Ammendola you have officially locked your roster spot up with the New York Jets with your performance vs the Green Bay Packers. Ammendola made a total of 5 kicks where he made 3 field goals and 2 PAT’s. The length of the field goals kicked was 54 yards, 46 yards, and 30 yards. His longer kicks looked a lot better than Chris Naggar’s kicks did vs the Giants. He also was more consistent with his kicks in practice than Chris Naggar was. Hopefully, he can keep this momentum going into the regular season.
10. Player that Disappointed - CB Isaiah Dunn
Isaiah Dunn was one of the many players that many people were hyping up during training camp as a player to watch in the upcoming preseason games. After watching Isaiah Dunn’s performance against the Green Bay Packers I have no clue what they saw in him during training camp. Throughout the Packers game, he struggled in coverage and even missed some easy tackles that gave the Packers a lot of extra yards. Dunn needs to improve vs the Philadelphia Eagles in order to make the 53 man roster.