The New York Jets have officially closed their offseason workouts and should be pleased with the work done by the roster over the last month.
As New York prepares for the second year of the Aaron Rodgers experiment, several other players could surprise fans, analysts, and opposing teams. Those players could also very well determine just how far the Jets go in 2024.
New York Jets Breakout Candidates
Every organization will have players that they feel are close to breaking out on the NFL stage.
For a team like the Jets, their youth results in plenty of names to watch going into training camp and the 2024 season. One of these players may already have arrived as an elite talent, but a big season could put him among the best at his position.
Garrett Wilson
On paper, the one-time Offensive Rookie of the Year has already shown he can be a great player. He’s the first Jets receiver in franchise history to record over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.
The most impressive part of that? New York has used four different starting quarterbacks in that span.
MORE: 5 Takeaways From New York Jets’ Minicamp: Garrett Wilson Excels
With Rodgers healthy, Wilson could be in a position to not only be among the better receivers in the conference, but one of the more lethal offensive weapons across the league.
Jamien Sherwood
New York has a history under head coach Robert Saleh of developing late-round defensive players into top-of-the-line stars at their respective positions. That happened with Bryce Huff, and it appears to be happening with Jamien Sherwood.
A converted safety now plying his trade at linebacker, Sherwood recorded a career-high 46 tackles last season after playing 169 more defensive snaps than he did in 2022.
If Sherwood continues his current career trajectory, he could not only be the Jets’ future replacement to the aging C.J. Mosley, but also be the kind of high-end linebacker fans have come to expect in Florham Park.
Joe Tippmann
When Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses were brought in to upgrade the tackle position for New York, 2023 second-round center Joe Tippmann seemed to be an overlooked piece along the restructured offensive line.
That has certainly not been the case in practice.
Tippmann has repeatedly received praise from offensive line coach Keith Carter and looks to be more vocal in his natural position as he enters his second NFL season. If he remains healthy, Tippmann could be in line for a Pro Bowl-caliber year as a developing center.
Will McDonald
In his first full season at the NFL level, McDonald played sparingly – so much so that Jets fans have already considered the possibility that the Iowa State product is more a “bust” than a “project.”
That being said, the Jets are still high on the 2023 first-round pick. He’s looked strong in minicamp and has looked good at times in team sessions. Fans won’t be able to get a good read on him until the pads come on, but McDonald might be on the same kind of career path as a fellow first-round pick of the Jets, Jermaine Johnson.
From Year 1 to Year 2, Johnson increased his sack total from 2.5 to 7.5. That could happen for McDonald this season.
Xavier Gipson
Gipson’s quiet rookie season was highlighted by his game-winning punt return in overtime to give the Jets a Week 1 win over their rival, the Buffalo Bills. As an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin, Gipson’s roster spot is never guaranteed to this point in his NFL career, and he needs to continue to show he belongs.
KEEP READING: Is Aaron Rodgers’ Minicamp Absence a Distraction For Jets?
So far, though, the 23-year-old receiver has done that in offseason workouts.
Gipson remains a player who has consistently gotten open during minicamp and OTAs and could be in line for a big season with Rodgers back at quarterback.
