Adam Gase got the first look at his entire squad this week during the Jets’ mandatory minicamps. From veterans to rookies to free agent acquisitions, the entire Jets’ roster attended as the team moved toward the 2019 season.
There were obvious growing pains throughout the week. With Gase and Gregg Williams entering their first offseason with the team, the Jets have an entirely new system in place on offense and defense. Everyone – rookies and veterans alike – are learning on the fly.
The Jets have another round of OTAs next week before a break until training camp in late July. Here are four takeaways from the first round of mandatory minicamps.
Growing pains on offense
Sam Darnold and company are learning a brand new offense with Adam Gase running the show, and it won’t always be smooth sailing. Darnold appeared uncomfortable at times with bad passes and turnovers, wide receivers dropped passes and Le’Veon Bell looked confused throughout the week.
From all indications, Gase’s offense is a breath of fresh air for a team who’s scoring capabilities featured high peaks and incredibly low valleys. It will take time to get used to, especially with Darnold still incredibly young and taking on a bigger leadership role. But as the offseason progresses, the confusion will shake off as the team begins to come together more and more.
Le’Veon Bell’s slow assimilation
Bell didn’t see much action throughout minicamp, if only because he appeared to still be learning the offense. He only took seven reps in his first practice and continues to work his way back from a one-year football hiatus.
It’s not overly concerning that Bell isn’t at peak performance yet. No one on the team really is in early June, especially since everyone isn’t fully caught up on the nuances of the offensive structure. If we’re saying the same things in late July, though, there may be a problem.
Roster holes
The same gaps on the team that persisted after draft and free agency – center, cornerback, pass rush – still remain after minicamps. No one has jumped out to claim roles seemingly up for grabs.
Center and cornerback are obvious. By all accounts, Jonathan Harrison looked fine starting at center and Darryl Roberts appeared competent as a No. 2 corner, but one position that could be troublesome is return specialist.
After the Jets decided to let Pro Bowler Andre Roberts walk, they didn’t find an obvious replacement. Many expected Trenton Cannon to step into the role in his second season, but he didn’t line up to return kicks this week. That honor fell to Quadree Henderson, Tim White and 2019 UDFA wide receiver Greg Dortch.
The same old pass rush
Apart from drafting Jachai Polite in the third round, the Jets didn’t do much to upgrade their outside pass rush. Jordan Jenkins is the team’s only true edge rusher and he could break out this season a year after tying for the team-lead with seven sacks. Brandon Copeland is filling the role Anthony Barr should have played if he hadn’t decided to rejoin the Vikings. Harvey Langi and Frankie Luvu could emerge throughout the summer as solid contributors if Polite doesn’t move up the depth chart from practicing with the third team.
The key to the Jets pass rush will come from the defensive line. With Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams and Henry Anderson, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams should be able to get creative and manufacture a pass rush.
Rookies were quiet
None of the Jets’ six rookies stood out this week. This isn’t a cause for alarm more as an indication Adam Gase won’t hand anyone a role until they’ve earned it.
Quinnen Williams was limited by a calf injury all week, while Jachai Polite continued to play with the third-string linebackers. Chuma Edoga worked out at both left and right tackle, so the Jets want to see where he fits in on the offensive line depth chart.
It will take time for the Jets’ rookies to get acclimated to NFL practice life. As they assimilate, Williams, Polite, Edoga and the rest of the rookies will learn their role and how to develop as potential starters in this league.
