The Jets spent all offseason upgrading their roster on both sides of the ball, but there are still plenty of question marks surrounding the team entering 2020 — especially when it comes to the starting lineup.
Plenty of starting spots will be up for grabs when New York arrives at training camp in late July. It goes without saying that there will be plenty of competition for these spots. Sometimes, the players who are least expected to earn starting roles are the ones that come out on top in position battles.
So, which four players could be surprise starters for the Jets in 2020? Let’s take a look.
Patrick Onwuasor
There is a reason Joe Douglas plucked Patrick Onwuasor off the open market during the second wave of free agency.
Avery Williamson could become a salary-cap casualty once training camp rolls around, which would open up a starting inside linebacker position opposite C.J. Mosley. If Williamson is ultimately shown the door, Onwuasor is the perfect fit to replace him.
Onwuasor is no stranger to playing next to Mosley as they were teammates with the Ravens. He also thrived in Baltimore’s 3-4 defense, which means there is no reason why he cannot do the same for the Jets in Gregg Williams’ scheme.
Bryce Hall
It was not too long ago that Bryce Hall was considered to be one of the best cornerbacks in college football. Before a gruesome leg injury brought an abrupt halt to his senior year at Virginia, some had the lengthy corner pegged as a first-round talent.
If Hall is able to work his way back to the player he was before his injury, the Jets are going to have a big-time defensive back on their hands — one who has a serious chance to start as a rookie. The consensus is that the starting cornerback spot opposite Pierre Desir will come down to Bless Austin and Quincy Wilson, but Hall should not be counted out of the competition.
If he is 100 percent healthy, Hall is going to open some eyes in training camp. He is simply too talented of a player for Gregg Williams and company to not take notice. Will that be enough to win the starting job? Only time will tell.
Kyle Phillips
Kyle Phillips came out of nowhere to make New York’s 53-man roster out of training camp last season. Could he be ready to take another massive leap in 2020?
Phillips flashed plenty of potential as a rookie. His playing time decreased as the year went on due to the return of Quinnen Williams from injury, but when he was on the field, Phillips made a lot of plays. Henry Anderson seems to be trending downward, which could open up some competition on the defensive line.
You could easily make a case for Nathan Shepherd in this spot, but Phillips looks to have a higher ceiling than the former third-round pick. If he inches closer to touching his ceiling in training camp, New York will have an interesting decision to make at defensive end.
Blake Cashman
With both C.J. Mosley and Avery Williamson sidelined due to injury, Blake Cashman was thrust into a starting role in the middle of New York’s defense as a rookie and more than held his own.
Cashman’s rookie campaign was cut short, but he is back and healthy entering 2020. We mentioned Patrick Onwuasor as a likely candidate to replace Williamson if he is cut in training camp, but Cashman is the real sleeper here. He knows Gregg Williams’ scheme and showed enough last year to warrant serious consideration for a starting spot. His name might not pop up too often, but he is certainly someone who is on the coaching staff’s radar with camp around the corner.
New York’s youth will play an integral role on both sides of the ball this upcoming season. If he avoids the injury bug and produces throughout training camp and the preseason, Cashman has a real chance to compete for a major role in 2020.
