A week from today, the 2022 New York Jets season kicks off. After an exciting offseason with an active free agency paired with arguably the best draft in football, the Jets have an infusion of talent. Below, we will take a look at eight-season superlatives for the Jets in 2022.
Offensive Rookie of the Year:
Breece Hall, RB
The Jets’ second-round pick, Breece Hall, has a complete skill set and is poised to make a big, immediate impact. He is playing in a scheme that fits his dynamic traits best. It is well known how big and fast Hall is at 5-foot-11, 217 pounds with 4.39 speed. His vision, patience, one-cut ability, explosiveness, and contact balance are all top attributes of his running style. From there, in the passing game, Hall has natural hands and body control to reel in acrobatic catches.
Simply put, running backs are usually situated to be stat-sheet fillers as first-year players. Hall is a 21-year-old rookie primed to give the Jets well over 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2022.
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Defensive Rookie of the Year:
Sauce Gardner, CB
The Jets top pick had a dominant college career. Sauce Gardner was not targeted all preseason in three games. He has the mindset, competitiveness, confidence, and work ethic needed to be a shutdown corner. Gardner will win with his remarkable height, length, speed, and physicality. He was drafted fourth overall to be an elite difference maker. His pedigree indicates the jump to the NFL game should be more than manageable. Anticipate Gardner doing so from the jump for the Jets.
Comeback Player of the Year:
Carl Lawson, DE
It was one tough blow last summer when the Jets lost Carl Lawson for the 2021 season. However, he has come back so far and given a glimpse of still being the same dynamic pass rusher. Lawson should not only be one of the Jets’ best defensive players but top players across the entire roster. His speed, power, technique, and arsenal of moves should all be on display this year. Expect roughly seven sacks and 50 pressures from Lawson in 2022. If so, he will certainly be this team’s comeback player of the year.
Underrated Addition:
Jordan Whitehead, S
In the busy Jets offseason filled with splashes, the signing of strong safety Jordan Whitehead has been one move to quietly fly under the radar. The Jets needed a safety direly. He provides at least one known commodity for the position group entering 2022. His presence physically, along with his toughness and attitude, should pay dividends for a Jets defense that needs it. Whitehead is 25 and likely entering his best years as a free agent signing for the Jets. All year long, Whitehead should make plays against both the run and the pass in the box for the Jets.
Breakout Player of the Year:
Tyler Conklin, TE
For the first time in a while, the Jets have a multitude of tight ends to have confidence in. The likely leader in the passing game will be Tyler Conklin. He offers great route running and reliable hands. Last season was his first time as a featured receiving target, and he produced well. Conklin had a strong camp and preseason. His impact should be consistently felt in this passing game. At 27 years old, with even more opportunities, Conklin seems primed to be a breakout player for the Jets in 2022.
Offensive Player of the Year:
Laken Tomlinson, LG
The big-ticket free agent signing for the Jets this offseason was Pro-Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson. He has spent his last five years in the offensive system the Jets run. It should only make the transition in year one with the Jets that much more seamless. Tomlinson provides an incredible amount of reliability in terms of his availability.
Not only will he hardly miss even a practice, but Tomlinson can be a dominant presence in the trenches. Tomlinson will give the Jets great consistency as both a run and pass blocker. He is set to be one of the Jets’ best players this year.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Quinnen Williams, DT
The runner-up for MVP here, Quinnen Williams, seems ready to break out in year four of his career. He had a dominant camp. Williams had a healthy offseason. Now, in year two of this scheme that fills his skills perfectly, Williams should make his impact felt significantly. He is playing for a big new contract. Not only should his dominance show up on the stat sheet, but it should be consistently noticeable every game.
Williams has tremendous talent, and it is time for him to be the player the Jets drafted him third overall to be. Following his strong summer, Williams should have a career year in 2022 and be a top player for the Jets.
Most Valuable Player:
Elijah Moore, WR
In his second year, Elijah Moore is poised to give the Jets great production and be the best player on the team. The ending to his rookie year was exceptional. He picked up right where he left off this summer with a terrific training camp. The 22-year-old wide receiver is sound technically running routes and catching the football. Moore also offers speed, versatility, gadget ability, and great athleticism.
Despite his smaller height, Moore is capable of winning anywhere on the field. He seems primed to have a season in which he posts over 1,000 receiving yards. Moore will be the main focal point of the passing game and the Jets 2022 MVP.