An influx of rookie talent is good for the Jets as a team, but a few members of Gang Green shouldn’t be thrilled about the new kids on the block.
The Jets added a handful of impact players in the 2022 NFL draft. The expectation is that more than a few of them will start and/or earn serious snaps early in their careers. That’s bad news for a few of New York’s incumbents.
Let’s take a look at whose jobs could be threatened by the Jets’ rookie class.
RB Ty Johnson
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
With Michael Carter coming off a splendid rookie season, the Jets didn’t need to draft Iowa State RB Breece Hall in the second round. But they did, giving them a two-headed monster in the backfield that is sure to eat into Ty Johnson’s playing time, if not his roster spot. With veteran Tevin Coleman re-signed, Johnson’s future in New York is murky.
TE Kenny Yeboah
(Dustin Satloff-Getty Images)
Speaking of draftees the Jets didn’t need, Jeremy Ruckert gives New York a deep tight end room after C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin signed as free agents this offseason. Their arrivals don’t bode well for the tight ends at the bottom of Gang Green’s depth chart. That’s especially true for Kenny Yeboah, who did little to impress after receiving a sizeable UDFA contract last season.
CB Bryce Hall
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Bryce Hall shined at times in 2021, but it looks like the Jets have other ideas for their cornerback depth chart. Hall should still see plenty of playing time in 2022, but he won’t start every game like he did last season. With D.J. Reed signed in free agency and Ahmad Gardner picked fourth overall, Hall may not start at all. The same goes for Brandin Echols, another rookie who impressed last year.
DE Jabari Zuniga
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Zuniga’s chances…