The Jets have a roster loaded with players who have yet to reach their full potential.
Most of the young talent New York has in the mix is still working toward reaching their ceiling. Gang Green’s struggles in recent years could be somewhat attributed to their youth, but 2020 could be the year that a handful of the players finally turn the corner.
So, which Jets players have the best chance of breaking out this upcoming season? Here are five to keep an eye on as training camp nears.
Sam Darnold
Thanks to the upgrades the Jets made to their offensive line this offseason, there is a good chance 2020 is the year the best version of Sam Darnold comes to play.
With a revamped offensive line in place, the hope is that Darnold will no longer have to spend most of his time evading pass rushers. That will give him the chance to go through his reads without the fear of being under constant duress, which could lead to a major uptick in his production. Robby Anderson’s departure in free agency takes away a weapon for Darnold to work with, but the arrivals of Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims should offset that.
Darnold has shown plenty of flashes of potential throughout his first two seasons with New York. Now, he has the pass protection that could help him translate his flashes into consistent success.
Quinnen Williams
Injuries and inconsistency marred Quinnen Williams’ first year with the Jets. It’s tough to see that being the case for a second consecutive season, though.
As long as Williams stays healthy, consistent production out of the 2019 first-round pick should follow, as he has more than enough talent to be a force in the trenches. Strong play from New York’s other defensive linemen would also help Williams’ cause, as he was a frequent recipient of double teams last year.
Even though his rookie season left plenty to be desired, Williams is an integral part of the Jets defense entering 2020. Now, he has to translate his potential into production that would make New York’s run defense even stronger than it already is.
Tarell Basham
If the way he ended the 2019 season was a sign of things to come, Tarell Basham is in store for a big 2020 campaign.
Basham recorded only one sack over New York’s final five games, but he was a constant visitor to opposing backfields coming off the edge. He also saw increased playing time on a weekly basis, which is a sign that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams plans on incorporating him more into his scheme this upcoming season.
All Basham needs is playing time to prove what he is worth. He is teetering on the brink of breaking out and becoming the kind of pass-rusher the Jets have lacked for a long time.
Vyncint Smith
Beyond the starting trio of Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims, the consensus is that there is not much depth on New York’s wide receiver depth chart. Vyncint Smith plans on changing that narrative in 2020, though.
The 23-year-old wideout has elite speed, solid route running ability and pretty good hands. He caught 17 passes for 225 yards in 13 games with the Jets last season, but he plans on taking advantage of what will likely be an increased workload in 2020 to surpass those numbers.
“I’m excited with everything that’s going on and trying to stay focused and get ready for the season,” Smith told the Houston Chronicle. “It’s going to be a big year.”
Smith is New York’s most experienced returning outside receiver, giving him a clear-cut path to the No. 4 spot on the depth chart. As long as he maintains his place in the wide receiver rotation, Smith could become a major part of the Jets’ passing attack by season’s end.
Bless Austin
Bless Austin ended the 2019 season planted on the bench and seemingly in Gregg Williams’ doghouse. However, that does not mean he is not positioned to produce entering 2020.
Austin is arguably the favorite to begin the season as a starter at cornerback opposite Pierre Desir. Yes, he endured a rough conclusion to his rookie year, but before that, Austin was drawing rave reviews with his physical play at the line of scrimmage and ball skills downfield.
If Austin can find a way to consistently play the way he did when he first broke into the starting lineup, New York is going to have a solid starting corner on its hands. It might take him another year to put all of the pieces together, but as long as he avoids injury, there is no reason why Austin cannot develop into one of the Jets’ most reliable defensive backs in 2020.
