Three Individual Winners from 2023 Jets' Preseason

Summertime success boosts outlook for offensive tackle, edge rusher and safety

Author:
Ralph Ventre
Publish date:
Aug 31, 2023 4:56 PM EDT

In this story:

The dog days of summer are over for the New York Jets and all of the attention turns to the Monday Night Football season opener.

Before officially flipping the page to "games that count," however, it's an appropriate time to take quick look back and identify the biggest winners, individually speaking, from the six weeks of training camp that transpired.

There were plenty of players who flashed during the preseason with a number of them winding up on Gang Green's 53-man roster. From undrafted rookie receivers Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson to former No. 2 overall draft pick Zach Wilson, multiple success stories emerged from the summertime practice sessions and exhibition games.

In particular, Jets Country has selected the three stars of the preseason. With their status on the team at stake, these individuals were seemingly hungry and focused upon arriving at training camp. They've significantly boosted their stock heading into the 2023 regular season.

Here are Jets Country's three biggest individual preseason winners.

Tony Adams, S

One year ago at this time, Adams was hoping to beat the odds and land a roster spot as an undrafted rookie. Now, he's in line for the starting free safety reps that belonged to Lamarcus Joyner in 2022.

Adams spent much of the summer with the first-team defense, even receiving starter treatment when it came to playing in preseason games. The second-year safety did not appear in any of the first three exhibition contests before opening the preseason finale on the Jets' top unit along with All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.

"When Chuck [Clark] went down [with a season-ending injury], he [Adams] really went to another level," said head coach Robert Saleh. Had a lot of excitement going into training camp for him. Thought it'd be good to see him compete. He competed and he's earned that job."

Adams proceeded to earn the job even after Gang Green signed eight-year starter Adrian Amos in June. Saleh, however, isn't surprised to see the former undrafted prospect achieve starter status.

"I felt coming out of training camp last year that if we lost Tony, we'd all be sick. That’s the honest to goodness truth," said Saleh on Thursday.

Adams was active for the final six weeks of his rookie season, showing the staff his potential in NFL game settings. The Illinois product made his first pro start in the 2022 regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Mekhi Becton, RT

The behemoth bookend was the team's biggest unknown heading into training camp.

After six weeks of work, and four preseason games, Becton will have the chance to start his first regular season appearance since the 2021 opener.

"As of now, yes, he is our starter [at right tackle]," said Saleh following the 32-24 win over the New York Giants on August 26.

Having missed a second consecutive season due to right knee problems, Becton initially attacked the comeback trail surrounded by uncertainty. He took an encouraging first step by losing over 50 pounds prior to OTAs, but then a minor controversy arose in the spring.

While working his way into playing shape, the 2020 first-round draft pick found himself in a bit of a public spat with Saleh over his desire to play left tackle as opposed to flipping to the right side. Saleh said if Becton wanted the spot, he would have to "go earn it."

Once training camp hit, however, Becton showed a willingness to take right-tackle reps with the assumption that veteran Duane Brown would slide into the starting left spot upon returning from PUP.

Consistently ramping up over the four-game preseason schedule, Becton impressed on the right side during Preseason Game No. 3 before earning a start there for the finale. According to TruMedia, the 6-foot-7 bookend allowed only one pressure in 11 pass blocking snaps against the Giants.

"Mekhi's had a great training camp," said Jets' general manager Joe Douglas on Thursday in Florham Park. "It's been really awesome to see Mekhi go through this August, watching him bounce around. The energy that he had prior to the Tampa Bay game, I knew he was gonna have a great game. It was good to see him just go out and do what he does and look like rookie [year] Mekhi again. Everyone that was here for rookie Mekhi saw what he can do."

As a rookie in 2020, Becton earned positive reviews for his play. He started 13 of his 14 appearances at left tackle.

RT Mekhi Becton hugs QB Aaron Rodgers during a NFL Preseason game against the Giants — Mekhi Becton (77) hugs Aaron Rodgers (8) during an NFL Preseason game on Aug. 26
© Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Jermaine Johnson, DE

The 2022 first-round draft pick was arguably the Most Outstanding Player over the course of training camp.

After a ho-hum rookie season, during which he made 2.5 sacks in limited snaps, Johnson set out to change the narrative this year and seems to be succeeding.

"I didn't see the Jermaine I know on film last year to be quite honest," said Johnson back in July. "It's pretty simple — work your butt off this offseason, be consistent. Work hard and make sure that's not the case next season."

Johnson showed up to his second NFL camp in prime physical condition.

"I don’t know if you guys have noticed, he looks massive in a good way. He looks explosive, he’s very powerful," said Saleh.

It didn't take long for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to recognize the progress made by Johnson, either.

"He's bigger, stronger, faster. That young guy right there took the initiative this offseason to get way better. I for sure know he's going to have a breakout year," said Williams on check-in day.

Quick and strong off the snap, Johnson racked up countless pressures during summertime practices and recorded sacks in preseason games against the Panthers and Giants.

"He’s made plays in games; he’s made plays in practice. He looks fantastic. I am excited for him to get into the regular season," said Saleh ahead of the preseason finale.

Johnson sounded pleased with his training camp performance but not satisfied.

"It went good. I feel like I made my statement. Still, what have I done? That's how I look at it. We're all very excited for this year," said Johnson.