The Jets made a couple of big moves this week as they trimmed their roster down to 80 men before the beginning of training camp.
Not only did starting inside linebacker C.J. Mosley opt out of the 2020 season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, but New York also cut a couple of key contributors from the past few seasons. Among them were guard Brian Winters, wide receiver Quincy Enunwa and running back/return specialist Trenton Cannon.
The loss of those players opens up some opportunities for players to step in and assume bigger roles, or elevate some players’ value entering the 2020 season. With that being said, here are six Jets who benefitted the most from Gang Green’s recent string of transactions.
Avery Williamson
When Mosley opted out, Williamson immediately became more important to the Jets. He was once considered a likely cap casualty because of contract, age and an ACL injury that cost him the 2019 season, but now, Williamson is the de-facto leader of New York’s defense.
Williamson should be at the center of Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme in 2020. It won’t be the same role he played two years ago, but the Jets will need him to anchor the front-seven with Mosley out of the picture.
Braxton Berrios
Berrios is locked in as New York’s return specialist after it cut Trenton Cannon and did not re-sign Ty Montgomery this offseason.
Berrios returned all 21 punts for the Jets this past season, but only four kickoff returns behind the trio of Vyncint Smith, Montgomery and Cannon. Now that only Smith is back, chances are he and Berrios will be the Jets’ primary return men.
Douglas claimed Berrios off waivers in his first offseason as general manager, so it’s not a surprise to see him prioritize Berrios over Cannon. Berrios also offers depth at wide receiver, while Cannon would have been buried on the running back depth chart behind Le’Veon Bell, Frank Fore and rookie La’Mical Perine.
Greg Van Roten
It seemed like there was going to be a battle for the starting right guard spot with Brian Winters still on the roster to begin training camp, but Joe Douglas did not wait long to decide a victor, as Winters was shown the door on Sunday.
That gives the starting right guard spot to Greg Van Roten, who signed with the Jets on a three-year, $10.5 million this offseason. Van Roten joined New York after making 27 starts with the Panthers the last two seasons and will play a crucial role in protecting Sam Darnold and creating holes for Le’Veon Bell to run through.
Cameron Clark
Originally viewed as more of a developmental player with potential, Clark will now absorb an increased role on New York’s offensive line with Brian Winters and Ben Braden out the door.
In the event of an injury to Alex Lewis or Greg Van Roten, Clark and Josh Andrews will be first in line to step into the starting lineup. Clark also played tackle throughout his college career at Charlotte, giving him additional positional versatility the Jets could put to use.
Josh Andrews
Andrews is another reserve lineman who should get a depth chart boost now that Brian Winters and Ben Braden are no longer on the roster.
While Andrews doesn’t have much starting experience, Joe Douglas clearly liked him enough to ink him to a one-year deal in free agency. Considering how many different offensive linemen the Jets were forced to use last year due to injury, fresh and healthy blood is welcomed in the trenches.
Patrick Onwuasor
Onwuasor will likely take over for C.J. Mosley as the Jets’ second starting inside linebacker. Fortunately, he has experience replacing Mosley after Mosley left the Ravens for New York in free agency. He wasn’t particularly successful in his starting role with Baltimore, but is an upgrade over James Burgess, Blake Cashman and Neville Hewitt
Gregg Williams coached well without Mosley for most of the 2019 season. Now, he has the same class of linebackers plus the more versatile Onwuasor entering 2020.
