New York Jets' Rookie Progress Reports for Preseason Week 2
The raging youth movement in New York Jets training camp didn't exactly get off to the explosive start that coaches and executives were hoping for. A decent chunk of the Jets' colossal 12-man draft class have already suffered injuries, some more serious than others.
General manager John Idzik's long-term plan for success is embedded in the concept of building through the draft. The Jets have taken strides toward completely revamping their roster for the long haul over the past two years.
2013 defensive rookie of the year Sheldon Richardson is already a big hit on defense whereas second-year cornerback Dee Milliner has also taken steps toward becoming a sufficient shutdown player at his position.
Newcomers Calvin Pryor and Dexter McDougle have already made headlines.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, Pryor was immediately outspoken about his dislike for the division nemesis New England Patriots and inter-city rival, New York Giants. Head coach Rex Ryan also subtly compared McDougle's fierce competitive nature to Darrelle Revis, according to Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com.
The Jets are hoping recent draft classes can rise to the occasion and make immediate impacts on both sides of the ball. Few players have flashed signs of doing just that through nearly three weeks of camp.
The following slideshow examines the status of notable Jets rookies during preseason Week 2.
13. Andrew Furney (PK)
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Rookie placekicker Andrew Furney doesn't stand a realistic chance of earning a spot on the Jets' 53-man roster, barring an unforeseen injury to veteran Nick Folk, but he was clutch in his preseason debut.
Ryan gave the former Washington State kicker the opportunity to win the game for the Jets, and the rook didn't disappoint, drilling a 51-yard field goal attempt to give his team a 13-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Furney's kick was significant for two reasons: personal gain and avoiding overtime. Both teams had players suffer injuries in the preseason opener and likely didn't have the desire to chance losing additional personnel, albeit guys who are merely fighting for roster spots.
Furney will surely be called upon by someone at some point during the 2014 NFL season because of his clutch, last-minute heroics. It was also a moment he will probably never forget, even though it was just a preseason game.
12. Chad Young (RB)
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Former San Diego State running back Chad Young might have a better shot at making the Jets' final roster than some may think. Second-year fullback Tommy Bohanon was adequate in his rookie season, but he didn't impress to the point of locking down a job.
Young, a 230-pound undrafted bruiser, didn't record a carry in the Jets' preseason opener, but he did register an eight-yard reception on a swing pass.
He's not the type of player that's going to prove reliable as a consistent pass-catcher in check down situations, but he stands a chance to make the team because of how important the fullback position is to the Jets offense.
New York relies heavily on the fullback position in bunch formations and in the face of anticipated pass-rush pressure.
According to Dom Cosentino of The Star-Ledger, Young spent most of the first week of camp taking reps with the second-team offense. In 2013, Bohanon was the only fullback listed on the Jets roster.
That could change in 2014 if Young demonstrates strong run-blocking ability and pass-protection skills during preseason action, although he remains a relative long shot to make the team.
11. Trevor Reilly (OLB)
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The Jets are essentially stacked at linebacker, making seventh-round pick Trevor Reilly an obvious practice squad candidate.
Reilly earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention accolades during his final collegiate season at Utah, recording 56 solo tackles, including 16.5 for loss, and a whopping nine sacks as a down lineman. At 255 pounds, Reilly flaunts the size and frame necessary to become an effective 3-4 rush linebacker, as noted by Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com.
Reilly's experience from the point makes him versatile, which is an asset in Ryan's defense, especially in the 46 formation.
The biggest issue plaguing Reilly's ability to make the team, aside from a deep front seven, is the fact that he struggles in coverage. Nawrocki notes that Reilly has problems defending bigger, stronger tight ends.
He recorded just one tackle in his NFL debut against the Colts.
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10. Jeremiah George (ILB)
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Fifth-round pick Jeremiah George disappointed to some extent in his professional debut against the Colts in preseason Week 1, recording just one tackle in extensive second-half action.
George was a force to be reckoned with while dominating Big 12 competition at Iowa State, recording a gaudy 133 tackles, including 12.0 for loss, with 3.5 sacks, six passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
He flaunts incredible strength despite being under 240 pounds, pumping 28 reps at the annual scouting combine to register top-performer status, according to NFL.com.
George has slipped behind A.J. Edds on the Jets' unofficial depth chart, according to Ourlads.com, and he could become bound for the practice squad unless he outplays his direct counterpart at inside linebacker in upcoming preseason games.
9. IK Enemkpali (OLB)
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At the onset of training camp, sixth-round pick IK Enemkpali was a seeming practice-squad candidate, but he showcased a strong ability to penetrate the backfield and rush the quarterback in his NFL debut against the Colts.
Enemkpali was a brute force while playing college ball at Louisiana Tech, recording 47 total tackles, including 11.0 for loss, with 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. His natural pass-rushing technique makes him viable in Ryan's defense, which he proved last Thursday night.
Enemkpali recorded one of the Jets' three sacks, totaling two tackles.
The Jets' pre-training-camp acquisition of Jason Babin automatically decreased Enemkpali's chances of making the final roster, but he's shown signs of having legitimate upside, regardless.
8. Tajh Boyd (QB)
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The Jets took a flier on former Clemson standout Tajh Boyd in the sixth round, hoping the undersized signal-caller could someday develop into a starting-caliber QB.
Boyd flaunts a strong frame and crisp across-the-body throwing ability, but he lacks the vision necessary to quickly read through his progressions, according to Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com.
Boyd was seemingly in line to snag the No. 3 slot on the Jets' QB depth chart from incumbent Matt Simms when training camp began, given his natural athletic ability and presumed future promise. But he has since taken a backseat to the son of a Hall of Fame great.
Simms received a bulk of the action from under center in the Jets' preseason opener, completing 13 of 18 pass attempts for 96 yards.
Boyd will likely get his chance to shine when the Jets travel to Ohio for a showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, and he needs to impress coaches to supplant himself as a candidate for a 53-man roster spot.
7. Quincy Enunwa (WR)
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Former Nebraska playmaking talent Quincy Enunwa is no different than several other Jets rookies—that is, he suffered an injury early on in camp.
According to Seth Walder of New York Daily News, Enunwa suffered an apparent hip injury during the first part of camp, and he is just now regaining full mobility. Enunwa, like a majority of the Jets' late-round draft picks was on the bubble before he ever arrived in camp.
Enunwa could potentially benefit from a serious injury to fellow rookie Shaq Evans, but he needs to quickly learn offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast offense in order to excel during the final three preseason games.
Enunwa flaunts decent speed, clocking a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the combine, according to NFL.com. He recorded 51 receptions for 753 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final season at Nebraska in 2013.
6. Dakota Dozier (OL)
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The Jets offensive line could boast more beef than originally believed, in part because of Furman product Dakota Dozier, who has turned some heads in camp.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, Dozier has impressed in bull-rushing drills, disabling pass-rushers from forcing him off his block.
Dozier uses his lower-body strength to lock down and pancake defenders in the trenches, according to Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com.
His stout ability to disallow interior blitz attempts from pushing through the line gives him a chance to potentially start in the 2014 season.
Dozier is currently slotted behind veteran Willie Colon at right guard on the depth chart, according to Ourlads.com.
5. Shaq Evans (WR)
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Rookie wide receiver Shaq Evans could miss the entire 2014 season with a serious shoulder injury. According to Seth Walder of New York Daily News, the former UCLA playmaker and fourth-round pick could be placed on injured reserve at some point soon.
The Jets improved their receiving corps over the offseason, although they remain relatively void of lethal playmaking talent at wideout.
Evans figured to be a viable No. 4 or No. 5 receiver during his rookie season, but he will now have to watch aimlessly from the sidelines.
Evans averaged 15.1 yards per reception on 47 catches during his senior season, totaling 709 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.
Evans' injury creates opportunity for a slew of receivers, including Clyde Gates, Enunwa and Michael Campbell.
4. Jalen Saunders (WR)
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The Jets were linked to electric wideout Brandin Cooks for weeks leading up to the 2014 NFL draft, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini, and they were supposedly "all over" the former Oregon State standout.
The Jets didn't end up with Cooks in the first round, opting to select "Louisville Slugger" Calvin Pryor.
In an unofficial response to the Jets' decision to pass on Cooks, Campus Insiders' Rich Cirminiello dubbed Jets' fourth-round pick Jalen Saunders "a poor man's Brandin Cooks" in a video posted on the team's official website.
Saunders has the potential to make an immediate impact during his rookie season on both offense and special teams. He recorded 11 yards on a pair of punt returns against the Colts, and he did not register a reception on offense.
Saunders racked up 3,085 lifetime receiving yards on 203 catches with 26 touchdowns in four seasons at the FBS level between Fresno State and Oklahoma. He averaged 15.4 yards per punt return on 20 attempts during his senior season in 2013.
3. Dexter McDougle (CB)
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The Jets' current troubles at cornerback have been well documented across the blogosphere in recent days.
Rookie cornerback Dexter McDougle is no exception.
The former Maryland product tore his left ACL during a 1-on-1 drill with draft bust Stephen Hill in practice Sunday, promptly ending his season, according to Ryan Wilson of CBSSports. McDougle will have surgery at some point this week.
This marks the second straight season McDougle has suffered a season-ending injury. In 2013, he dislocated his right shoulder and also broke his right shoulder blade while playing college ball at Maryland.
According to Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger, McDougle shed tears of joy before making his preseason debut against the Colts.
Now he's forced to endure the rehabilitation all over again before eventually rejoining the Jets on the field in 2015.
McDougle recorded one tackle and one pass defensed in his only NFL action of the season.
2. Jace Amaro (TE)
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Rookie tight end Jace Amaro was extraordinarily impressive in his final collegiate season, drawing immediate NFL comparisons to the likes of San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher Vernon Davis, according to information gathered by Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports.
At 6'5'' and 265 pounds, Amaro is a big-bodied downfield target who flaunts above average speed at his position. He clocked a 4.74-second 40-yard dash time at the combine, according to NFL.com.
Amaro initially had trouble learning the nuances of the Jets offense at the start of camp, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Costello also notes that Amaro has dropped a ton of passes in practice and appears to be pressing to some extent due to big time expectations.
Amaro was eased into action in the Jets' preseason opener, catching two passes for 18 yards on a team-high five targets.
The Jets' second-round pick has a lot to prove—and he knows it—although he should prove to be a valuable offensive talent after completely settling in.
1. Calvin Pryor (S)
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Hard-hitting, big-mouthed safety Calvin Pryor was ruled inactive for the Jets' preseason opener due to concussion-like symptoms, but he is ready to "hit hard again," according to Darryl Slater of The Star-Ledger.
The "Louisville Slugger" will make his NFL preseason debut against the Bengals Saturday after missing extensive time due to a concussion suffered during the Jets' third training camp practice.
Pryor's immediate development is crucial for the Jets secondary, considering a brutal onslaught of injuries that has forced safety Antonio Allen to take reps at cornerback, where he's feeling "confident," according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
There is officially minimal doubt that Pryor will be a starter on the Jets defense come Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders. The trash-talking safety needs to be ready for permanent first-team action, making the next few weeks critical to his impending success.
The Jets' first-round pick recorded 75 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, with four passes defensed, three interceptions and two forced fumbles during his final college season in 2013.
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