The Jets have been plagued by costly injuries throughout training camp and the preseason, but there have been plenty of bright spots at One Jets Drive so far this summer.
Amidst all the injuries, New York has had plenty of players making a name for themselves in practice and during preseason action. Some of these players have propelled themselves into major roles with their standout performances, while others have opened the coaching staff’s eyes in their efforts to secure a spot on the 53-man roster come September.
With that being said, here are six Jets who have stood out so far this summer.
Foley Fatukasi
As a player who contributed next to nothing as a rookie, Foley Fatukasi jumps off the page as New York’s biggest standout so far this summer.
The 2018 fifth-round pick out of UConn has not only moved ahead of classmate Nathan Shepherd on the defensive line depth chart, but he has carved out a substantial role in Gregg Williams’ defense. With Leonard Williams sidelined in Week 2 of the preseason, Fatukasi started after a standout Week 1 performance against the Giants. That speaks volumes as to how far he has come since being a non-factor last season.
Fatukasi’s ascension to rotational lineman after entering the summer as a player on the roster bubble has been eye-opening. Not only is he now a lock to make the team, but also a lock to make some sort of impact in 2019.
Kyron Brown
If it weren’t for a hamstring injury that has kept Kyron Brown out of action, Gang Green’s cornerback situation wouldn’t be as dire as it is right now.
The undrafted free agent out of Akron did nothing but impress prior to tweaking his hamstring in practice a week ago. He has not seen the field since, but Brown is in line for a major role in New York’s secondary once he returns — as long as Trumaine Johnson is sidelined.
Brown has positioned himself to have a role in the Jets’ defensive back rotation even when Johnson does return to the field. Not a bad first impression for a player who wasn’t even drafted.
Greg Dortch
It looks like the Jets have a legitimate weapon at kick returner in Wake Forest undrafted free agent Greg Dortch.
Beginning in the spring, Dortch has shined nearly every practice session with both his skills in the return game and as a receiver. His path to New York’s 53-man roster is not a clear one, but Dortch has done more than enough to prove to Adam Gase and his coaching staff that he not only belongs with the Jets, but can make a real impact either as a punt returner or wideout this upcoming season.
Tarell Basham
He hasn’t garnered too much attention, but Tarell Basham has quietly made a name for himself coming off the edge this summer.
After impressing in Week 1 of the preseason against the Giants, Basham factored heavily into New York’s defensive rotation against the Falcons. In an effort to cover-up the weaknesses at cornerback, Gregg Williams employed a 2-4-5 defensive scheme in which Basham got the starting nod against Atlanta.
Basham isn’t going to play every snap, but he has clearly made a strong enough impression on Williams that he will factor into certain defensive packages for the Jets this upcoming season.
Ty Montgomery
With Le’Veon Bell not playing in the preseason, Ty Montgomery has taken full advantage of an increased workload to show that the Jets have an impact No. 2 tailback.
Whether running between the tackles or catching passes out of the backfield, Montgomery has done it all throughout training camp and the preseason. Montgomery was expected to be a contributor upon arriving at One Jets Drive, but he has taken his game to the next level this summer.
Bell is undoubtedly the feature back and will see a heavy workload, but Montgomery has established that the Jets have a reliable change of pace back waiting in the wings to make a play.
Jamison Crowder
Jamison Crowder is using his first summer with the Jets to prove that he is what New York has been missing at the position for years.
Crowder’s silky smooth underneath route-running makes him the ideal veteran weapon for Sam Darnold to have at his disposal. He was the best wideout on the field when the Jets played the Giants in Week 1 of the preseason and had himself a big-time Green & White scrimmage performance to build on what has already been a standout summer.
Crowder is giving the Jets a new element at wide receiver. If his play throughout the summer is any indication of what’s to come, the Jets are in a very good spot at wideout heading into 2019.
