The regular season is in the books, which means it’s time to evaluate the overall body of work that each Jets rookie put together in 2019.
New York’s rookie class wound up being relatively underwhelming. Whether it was due to injury or ineffective play, Gang Green’s rookies endured up and down first seasons in the NFL. There is still plenty of hope for the future with this class, though, as it is filled with talented players who have the potential to make an impact for the Jets as soon as next season.
So, where do New York’s neophytes stand with 2019 in the rearview? Let’s take a look in the final Jets Wire rookie power rankings of the year.
Honorable Mention
The Jets had seven rookies on their active roster in 2019, which means it wouldn’t be fair to leave two players out of the rankings without some sort of acknowledgment.
Cornerback Kyron Brown appeared in three games and made one start against the Dolphins in Week 14 with New York’s cornerback unit depleted due to injury. Brown played well against Miami, but the injury bug bit him as well and put him out for the final three weeks of the regular season. Tight end Trevon Wesco lucked out on the injury front throughout the year, but caught only two passes for 47 on the season and didn’t exactly stand out in his primary role as a blocker.
Brown’s rookie season didn’t end as he would’ve liked, but his stay at One Jets Drive is likely far from over. The Jets are thin at cornerback and Brown has the measurables to be a solid depth piece moving forward. He’ll get a long look in training camp next summer. Wesco also figures to factor into New York’s plans for the future as a blocking tight end despite his quiet rookie season.
No. 5: OT Chuma Edoga
Edoga came to the Jets loaded with promise and raw potential. He flashed some of that potential in 2019, but failed to turn it into consistent play on a weekly basis.
Before landing on season-ending injured reserve late in the season, Edoga seemed to be turning a corner after a rough start to the year. He was doing better in pass protection and was slowly improving as a run blocker. That bodes well for his future and chances of competing for an increased role on New York’s offensive line next season.
The USC product has a long way to go before he can be considered a starting-level tackle on a full-time basis, though. Expect him to come back in 2020 with a bit more refined skillset.
No. 4: CB Bless Austin
It took Austin until November to get healthy and get onto the field, but when he did, he left a lasting impact that should have fans excited for his future in the Big Apple.
Austin made his NFL debut against the Giants in Week 10 and contributed immediately. He had a three-week stretch where he essentially locked down his side of the field before coming back down to earth against the Bengals. Following a rough performance against the Steelers in Week 16, Austin found himself planted on the bench for New York’s season finale. He finished the season with 25 tackles, four pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Don’t let one bad game paint Austin in a negative light. Poor performances happen, especially to rookies. What matters is that the Rutgers product learns from his late-season mistakes and gets better this offseason. If that happens, he’ll be in line for a legitimate role in Gregg Williams’ cornerback rotation in 2020.
No. 3: LB Blake Cashman
Cashman made a serious impression before landing on season-ending injured reserve with a torn labrum in his shoulder, recording 38 tackles, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup and 0.5 sacks in seven games, five of which he started.
With Avery Williamson and C.J. Mosley injured, Cashman stepped up and solidified the middle of New York’s defense. It’s rare a rookie takes on such a role so early in his career, but Cashman did just that for the Jets in 2019.
Williamson and Mosley will be back next season, but Cashman is still primed to be an important player in Gregg Williams’ defensive scheme as long as he gets healthy in the offseason.
No. 2: DE Kyle Phillips
Every year, teams find one or two diamonds in the rough either late in the draft or on the undrafted free agent market. For the Jets, that player was Kyle Phillips in 2019.
An undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, Phillips came out of nowhere to not only make New York’s 53-man roster out of training camp, but turn in some standout performances throughout the season. He finished the year with 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup in 15 games, four of which he started.
Frankly, you can make the argument that Phillips was the Jets’ best rookie in 2019. If he had more playing time throughout the season, odds are he would’ve claimed the top spot in the rankings. Phillips has a bright future with New York. It’s safe to assume he’ll have a legitimate chance at an increased role in 2020.
No. 1: DT Quinnen Williams
Considering his status as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the numbers Williams put up in his rookie year with the Jets can be viewed as disappointing. In 13 games and nine starts, the Alabama product recorded only 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one pass breakup.
There’s more to look at than numbers when evaluating Williams, though. He had his fair share of plays where he got into opposing backfields. He just didn’t finish off the play. That should be his main area of focus this offseason and throughout spring workouts.
Williams has a lot of work to do. He barely had a better rookie year than his defensive line counterpart and undrafted free agent Kyle Phillips. That’s not acceptable for a player who came into the NFL expected to dominate right off the bat.
It’s a good thing he’s still loaded with the potential to turn into one of the best defensive linemen in football when it’s all said and done, or else there wouldn’t be much to see here.
