NFL teams value youth when it comes to roster construction. Finding a younger, faster and cheaper option at a position allows you to spend more elsewhere to strengthen your roster. Now that the draft is over and we’re heading into the rest of offseason, teams will begin the evaluation process of determining which rookies should take over for veterans.
The Jets brought in new talent through the draft, and some of these players could push older players for their roster spot. Veterans are still hugely important to the team, but it might make more sense to give a young prospect more playing time to develop rather than an older player on his last legs in the NFL.
Here are are few Jets veterans who could be replaced by rookies.
DT Steve McLendon
This one is obvious. The Jets didn’t spend the third overall pick on defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to not start him ahead of Steve McLendon. Williams was one of the most pro-ready players in the draft, and he should start Day 1 on Gregg Williams’ line – wedged right between Henry Anderson and Leonard Williams.
Williams is the Jets’ top prospect and they’ll want to get him in the trenches early and often to turn him into the terror in the middle they need him to become. With a nice training camp, Williams should jump to the front of the depth chart before Week 1.
TE Eric Tomlinson or Neal Sterling
Tomlinson has been the Jets’ blocking tight end for the past three seasons, but the selection of Trevon Wesco in the fourth round could signal Tomlinson’s end with the Jets. Wesco is younger, stronger and a better pass-catcher than Tomlinson, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he took over before the season ends.
Behind Chris Herndon, the Jets don’t have much in terms of wide receiver depth. Tomlinson is almost exclusively a blocker, while Neal Sterling has major injury concerns. Both are on short deals, so Wesco could easily replace one of them.
LB Darron Lee
C.J. Mosley relegated Lee to a reserve earlier this offseason, but rookie inside linebacker Blake Cashman could push Lee for his spot on the team if he isn’t traded already. Cashman was a prolific linebacker in the middle of Minnesota’s defense and he fits a similar build to Lee in size and abilities. If Cashman can make a splash in training camp, he’ll fly up the depth chart and could take over for Lee as a solid back-up.
LT Kelvin Beachum or RT Brandon Shell
Beachum only has one year left on his contract and the Jets effectively drafted a carbon copy of him when they selected USC tackle Chuma Edoga in the third round. Edoga’s stock rose after an impressive Senior Bowl and his athleticism could help him find a role on the Jets’ offensive line if Beachum underperforms. With Brandon Shell still recovering from a knee injury, Edoga could even begin the season as the Jets starting right tackle if he can beat out Brent Qvale.
OLB Brandon Copeland
Jachai Polite is a boom-or-bust third-round prospect, but he could prove to be the Jets’ solution at edge rusher. Copeland had a solid season in his first year with the Jets, tying Leonard Williams with five sacks. He and Jordan Jenkins are entrenched as the Jets’ two outside linebackers, but neither offers the upside Polite has as a pass rusher. If Polite plays up to his skill level, he could easily replace the older Copeland, who’s on a cheap one-year deal.
