New York Jets: Early Rookie Progress Reports

The time for offseason additions has come and gone, and now, it's time for the New York Jets to start making some subtractions. 

There's a long offseason workout program ahead, but it all began at the beginning of May with rookies reporting to the Jets' facilities for minicamp. Some rookies are assured of a roster spot—the Jets aren't going to part ways with Leonard Williams, the No. 6 overall selection in the draft—but even the top rookies will have to earn their spot on the depth chart.

Other rookies, however, are less certain of their status on the roster—undrafted free agents have to prove every ounce of their ability weighted next to other rookies and veterans alike.

These practices are more meant for teaching than separating one self as a top-tier player worthy of immense playing time, but that won't stop some players from showing off their potential anyway.

Devin Smith

RICH SCHULTZ/Associated Press

Who would have thought a year and a half ago that we'd be talking about the wide receiver position as a strength of the Jets roster? Back then, Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley were the top pass-catchers at wide receiver. Now, that depth chart is loaded with young and veteran talent alike; Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Kerley, veteran Devier Posey and rookie Devin Smith.

Thus, it's a little surprising that Smith is one of two rookies getting reps with first team, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ Advance Media. Things can certainly change, but if Smith continues to get reps with the top unit, he could have a much bigger and more immediate impact than it originally seemed.

Luckily, he's been getting some help from his teammates, who have helped bring him along.  

"Yes, it makes it a lot easier with guys like that as your teammates, so they can tell you everything that has helped them be successful and how to beat press coverage and how to get open," Smith said, according to Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com. "I'm looking forward to just learning from those guys."

If he can soak up even a little knowledge from Marshall and Decker, Smith could begin developing into a top-flight receiver in no time. 

Leonard Williams

RICH SCHULTZ/Associated Press

In the previous slide, we mentioned that Devin Smith is one of two rookies getting reps with the first team, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ Advance Media. The other should come as no surprise: It's the No. 6 overall pick of the draft, defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Not only is Williams earning those reps, but according to Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media, Williams is dominating when given the opportunity to run with the first-team defense: 

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The defensive end was the Jets' first-round draft pick, so we know he is talented. ... It's worth noting that Williams was going up against a patchwork line of inexperienced players, some of whom have no chance to make the Jets' final roster. But during one team period, Williams displayed some savvy by not biting on a play-action fake. Williams was able to burst into the backfield and get in quarterback Bryce Petty's face. 

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The Jets will need Williams to be on top of his game if the holdouts for Sheldon Richardson and/or Muhammad Wilkerson last longer than anticipated. No one should be all too surprised that Williams is performing so well right out of the gate; he was considered to be one of the top prospects in this year's class for a reason. 

There's no reason to believe Williams will be anything less than a major contributor to the Jets defense as a rookie. 

Lorenzo Mauldin

RICH SCHULTZ/Associated Press

The Jets added Lorenzo Mauldin as a means to improve their pass rush, but the question remains where he will line up. On one hand, he could fit in as a strong-side linebacker; on the other hand, he could be the rush outside linebacker the Jets sorely need for their 3-4 defense.

Surely, the Jets would prefer the latter, but it's going to be a process, according to head coach Todd Bowles. 

"First, we have to see how he handles the point of attack," Bowles said. "If they run the ball at him, how strong he is at the point, with the bigger tight ends in the league, as opposed to college; how he plays in space when the tight end is not on him; how he reacts to certain things. You kind of get a feel that way, to see what his strengths and his weaknesses are."

It takes more than one skill to play 3-4 outside linebacker; as a potential run defender, pass-rusher or coverage linebacker, an edge defender in the 3-4 must be ready to do just about anything. Fortunately for Mauldin, he's getting a lot of help from the veterans, according to Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com.

"You've got an amazing depth chart with the New York Jets. I'm proud to be a part of that. Hopefully I'll get a chance to contribute early," Mauldin said. "Guys like Coples and [Calvin] Pace, of course, the guys I need to learn from. It's going to be a good experience. It feels good. Like I've said, it feels good to be here."

Bryce Petty

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Baylor rookie quarterback Bryce Petty could be the future of the quarterback position for the Jets, but he's probably not the present—at least not according to his first few practices.

He was "mostly sharp" on Friday, according to Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media, but the next day was not so sharp, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ Advance Media. 

"After looking sharp on Friday, Petty wasn't quite as crisp on Saturday, missing some throws, and badly underthrowing a deep ball that was picked off by undrafted free agent Greg Henderson," Cosentino writes. "All of which is fine. Petty is a project. He's got a lot to learn. And there's no rush. Nor is there any reason to freak out."

Petty certainly doesn't seem to be freaking out, according to Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com:

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It's a process. It's one you have to take day by day. It's a mountain that I'm ready to climb and that I'm excited to climb. Being in a spread offense where things might have been a little bit more simplistic in college and then coming here, being able to play quarterback a little bit—not that we didn't in Baylor—you just get more on your plate here, which is what I love. It's why you play the position."

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As is the case with any rookie, there will be an assimilation process for Petty. If he can get through his first year in the NFL without any major setbacks, he could be ready to battle for the starting job as early as 2016.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release.