As training camp approaches, much of the focus surrounding the Jets center around Sam Darnold’s progression, the star power New York added on both sides of the ball in free agency, the team’s young core and Adam Gase’s first camp as head coach.
What about the guys who will fill out the back end of Gang Green’s 53-man roster, though?
Everyone knows the likes of Darnold, Le’Veon Bell, C.J. Mosley, Jamal Adams and others. However, the players who spend training camp fighting for a spot on the active roster rarely find their way into the spotlight. New York’s stars will steal the show, but the guys who scratch and claw to make the team throughout the summer are the glue that holds the team together when the going gets tough — even if their names are seldom mentioned.
With that being said, here are four under the radar Jets who can sneak onto the roster with strong showings throughout training camp and the preseason.
Greg Dortch
Whether or not Dortch is truly under the radar is up for debate. The undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest generated some buzz in spring practices with flashes of potential in the return game.
With the Jets looking to replace All-Pro kick and punt returner Andre Roberts, Dortch has a real shot to make the team out of training camp. Dortch was one of the best return men in college football a year ago. He has a knack for making defenders miss in the open field and can blow past the best special teamers with his elite speed.
Dortch might be under the radar right now, but don’t expect that to be the case for much longer. Once training camp rolls around, he will be right at the forefront of New York’s return man battle.
Tyler Jones
Jones is big (6-foot-3, 306 pounds), strong and flat out nasty in the trenches. Those traits could be enough for the undrafted free agent out of NC State to beat out Brent Qvale for one of New York’s reserve offensive lineman positions.
Jones was one of the best run blockers in the ACC a year ago. He is also solid in pass protection, which will help his chances of making the team.
Qvale has been solid for the Jets for a long time, but his game might be running stale with a new regime in place. This opens the door for Jones to get his shot with New York if he has a strong training camp and preseason.
Wyatt Miller
Miller is another undrafted free agent offensive lineman who has a chance to stick with the Jets if things go his way this summer.
Lauded as one of the top UDFAs on the market, New York acted quickly and added a player with a high ceiling to see if he has what it takes to cut it in the NFL. At UCF, Miller developed into one of the more reliable tackles in college football as his career progressed. He also has positional versatility and can line up at guard if needed.
Miller’s future is at left or right tackle, but his ability to play inside is a major plus for a team in search of solid offensive line depth. He hasn’t garnered much attention since signing, but Miller has the upside to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster come Week 1.
Daniel Brown
In five NFL seasons, Brown has only caught 35 passes for 317 yards and one touchdown at tight end. However, with New York’s tight end depth chart extremely thin, Brown has a real shot at an increased role with the Jets in 2019 if he can prove himself in training camp.
Unlike Eric Tomlinson or Trevon Wesco, Brown comes from the Chicago Bears with a reputation as more of a pass catcher than run blocker. Other than Chris Herndon, the Jets do not have a tight end who doesn’t primarily function as a blocker first, receiver second. That alone bodes well for Brown’s future at One Jets Drive.
Make no mistake, Brown has to open eyes in camp if he wants to make the team. He appeared in 14 games a year ago, but did not catch a single pass. The preseason will be Brown’s time to shine and possibly even his make or break moment with New York.
