Jets' Training Camp Countdown: Role of the Rookies

How much will Gang Green's rookies contribute in 2023?

The Jets Country Training Camp Countdown, a series of nine questions, runs from July 10 through 18, counting down the days until rookies and veterans report to the New York Jets' facility on July 19.

Not every draft haul contains Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. 

By uncovering multiple gems in their star-studded 2022 class, the New York Jets set a near-impossible standard to repeat at the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Jets made seven selections this past April with four of the picks coming in the Top 150. There are multiple potential contributors among the group of draftees, but none are as highly-touted as Gardner and Wilson were coming out of college.

What roles will the Jets' rookies serve in 2023 and which members of the group will earn significant playing time? 

There is a lot more to be learned about the Green & White's rookie class during training camp, which will provide opportunities for first-year pros to impress the coaching staff and carve out roles for the season ahead.

NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella calculated rookie "impact" scores and stats projections for all four AFC East teams and Gang Green's 69 mark ranked second in the division. The New England Patriots posted a 71 score to top the quartet. The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills registered a 68 and 67.5, respectively.

"I don't see a lot of high impact [rookies this year], but the Jets only had the Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Rookie of the Year, so who am I to sit here and knock Joe Douglas?" said Serritella during a guest interview on the Jets Country Podcast.

Serritella projects the Jets' first two picks to make a noticeable contributions this fall.

Second-round center Joe Tippmann is the lone potential Week 1 starter from the class. The No. 43 overall selection will have an opportunity to unseat 30-year-old veteran Connor McGovern for the first-team spot this summer.

"[Tippmann] he’s a guy that’s an unbelievable communicator. Very intelligent, quick grasp of the offense there in Madison and able to control the huddle," said general manager Joe Douglas after drafting the 6-foot-6 interior lineman. "That means a lot, the center has to be the core of the interior, core of the offensive line, so has to be able to communicate, take control."

First-round selection Will McDonald IV will certainly fit into the team's defensive plans, but he projects as a rotational player in Year 1. With veteran edge rushers John Franklin-Myers and Carl Lawson in line for first-team reps, the rookie defensive end will likely see the majority of his snaps as a situational pass rusher.

Jets' first-rounder Will McDonald at OTAs / © Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

"I love where he’s at right now," said Saleh about the No. 15 overall draft choice during the final week of Phase 3 OTAs. "He’s got a long way to go, but you guys know as we rotate, if they dress on gameday, they’re going to play at least 20 [snaps]. He’ll be part of the rotation."

McDonald can benefit from adding some physical mass onto his 230-pound frame.

"You look at his height, weight and then you see him and you’re like, ‘Wow, he just feels bigger.’ There’s no doubt in an NFL program with an NFL training table, he’s going to get another 10-15 pounds," said Saleh during rookie minicamp.

Fourth-round offensive tackle Carter Warren needs to show he's fully healthy after a knee injury ended his 2022 season at Pitt. The Garden State product offers versatility, but is likely headed for a reserve role as a rookie considering the Jets' logjam at tackle.  

Fifth-round running back Israel Abanikanda, who was teammates with Warren at Pitt, won the Atlantic Coast Conference rushing title last year. The Brooklyn product will battle Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight for backup reps behind Breece Hall.

"You were three deep at running back, you already have returner filled [with Mecole Hardman], so I didn't understand that pick," said Serritella, who highlighted Abanikanda as "arguably the fastest kid in the draft."

QB Aaron Rodgers interacts with RB Israel Abanikanda at OTAs :: Twitter / @nyjets

Sixth-round draft choice Zaire Barnes is a long shot in the competition for the third linebacker spot that the unsigned Kwon Alexander manned in 2022.

"He’s going to come in here and get an opportunity to compete for that third spot and contribute on special teams and see where he takes it," said Saleh after the Draft's completion.

Serritella envisions the Western Michigan product "sticking" on defense in some capacity.

"This guy [Barnes] was making plays all week long at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, flying to the football. We lined him up at all three linebacker positions," said Serritella, who served as a scout and media consultant for the senior all-star game.

LSU defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse, a late sixth-round selection, possesses enough versatility to potentially find a way into the field. Serritella projects Bernard-Converse to see time at nickel back, but the Practice Squad is also a possibility for the No. 204 overall pick.

There may not be room for seventh-rounder Zack Kuntz on a roster that features three locks at the tight end position Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah and Jeremy Ruckert. The physical freak could be forced to start the season in a developmental role.

The Jets have signed a handful of undrafted free-agent rookies who should be in contention for one of the final roster spots come cutdown day. 

Florida safety Trey Dean, whose draft stock fell due to a slow 40-yard dash, could be a preseason surprise while undersized Pitt defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre should garner some attention.

A pair of UDFA rookie receivers earned a shoutout from quarterback Aaron Rodgers following the last OTAs practice.

"There’s been some young guys that have been really impressive I think in the camp. You always got to temper expectations because there’s no pads on, there’s no contact," said Rodgers. "I would say 16 [Jason Brownlee] and 82 [Xavier Gipson] really had nice camps as rookies."

In a receivers' room loaded with proven veterans, Gipson and Brownlee have at least succeeded in being noticed. The former features above-average acceleration and proven return ability, which helps his case for a highly-coveted roster spot.

Serritella's Rookie Stat Projections

Will McDonald, EDGE, Iowa State 
(Round 1, No. 15 overall) 
Projection: 15 games played, 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL

Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin 
(Round 2, No. 43 overall) 
Projection: Expected to start all 17 games, barring injury.

Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
(Round 4, No. 120 overall) 
Projection: Active for 12 games.

Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
(Round 5, No. 143 overall)
Projection: Will be on standby in case of injuries, 450 total all-purpose yards (rushing/receiving/returning).

Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan
(Round 6, No. 184 overall) 
Projection: 10 games played, 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3.0 TFL.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse, DB, LSU
(Round 6, No. 204 overall)
Projection: He could be the main backup by default, 10 games played, 16 tackles.

Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
(Round 7, No. 220 overall) 
Projection: Practice Squad.

Projections provided by allaccessfootball.com

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