To say the Jets got embarrassed by the Patriots on Monday night would be an understatement.
New England dominated from the opening kickoff and never looked back in a 33-0 drubbing of New York. There wasn’t much Gang Green’s rookie class could do in Week 7, which makes this edition of Jets Wire’s rookie power rankings series relatively uneventful.
With that being said, there is still evaluating to do — even in a loss as bad as the one the Jets just suffered. Let’s take a look at where New York’s rookies stand heading into Week 8.
No. 5: TE Trevon Wesco
Last Week: No. 5
With the Jets getting down early, Wesco barely saw the field with no need for an extra blocking tight end. In the event New York goes to a run-heavy offense against the Jaguars in Week 8, expect the West Virginia product to have a chance to take on an increased role.
No. 4: OT Chuma Edoga
Last Week: No. 4
Edoga started at left tackle in place of the injured Kelvin Beachum, but things did not go anywhere near as well as they did against the Cowboys in Week 6 for the USC product.
Edoga was part of a Jets offensive line that got downright dominated by the Patriots. New England’s constant presence in New York’s backfield wasn’t necessarily Edoga’s fault, but he finds himself guilty by association in this instance.
No. 3: DT Quinnen Williams
Last Week: No. 1
Williams recorded a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit against the Patriots, but falls in the rankings due in large part to the performances that Kyle Phillips and Blake Cashman had.
Williams has been solid, but not spectacular so far in his rookie year. He’s still getting his footing back after missing a couple of games with an injury, but the Jets need him to hit that next level in order to truly succeed in the trenches.
No. 2: DE Kyle Phillips
Last Week: No. 2
Phillips started in place of the injured Henry Anderson and performed fairly well, racking up seven tackles in run support.
Most of Phillips’ tackles came in garbage time with the Patriots chewing clock, but the undrafted free agent out of Tennessee’s presence was still felt at times throughout the course of the game.
Phillips has been somewhat of a revelation for the Jets. In a season that has been utterly disappointing so far, he has been one of the few bright spots on the field.
No. 1: LB Blake Cashman
Even with the return of C.J. Mosley, Cashman got the chance to start with Neville Hewitt sidelined and wound up being one of New York’s most productive players against the Patriots.
The fifth-round pick out of Minnesota didn’t play a perfect game, but he picked up eight tackles and one quarterback hit as he did all he could to slow down the Patriots’ potent offense.
Cashman will continue to start until Hewitt returns. Even when he does come back, Cashman figures to remain a prominent figure in Gregg Williams’ defensive gameplan.
