The New York Jets are entering the 2022 season with noticeably better talent on each side of the football. Some of these new players who have been added the last over two years have expectations to deliver on the stat sheet to help the Jets win more games. Below, 2022 stats for five Jets added from free agency and the draft over the past two offseasons will be projected.
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Elijah Moore: 80 catches, 1,050 receiving yards, eight touchdowns
Elijah Moore will play his second season as a Jet at 22-years-old. His rookie season was promising, especially the final six games he played. Last year, Moore played in 11 games and had 77 targets, 43 catches, 538 receiving yards (12.5 per catch), and five touchdowns. In 2022, if Moore plays in all 17 games, a fair projection would be 130 targets (7.7 per game), 80 catches (4.7 per game), 1,050 receiving yards (61.8 per game), 13.1 yards per catch, and eight touchdowns. Moore has the potential to be the Jets’ best player over time. This stat line would be great for Moore in year two.
Carl Lawson: 7.5 sacks, 45 total pressures
After a tough season-ending injury last summer, Carl Lawson is set to play his first season with the Jets at 27-years-old. Throughout the 2021 training camp, Lawson was reportedly the Jets’ best player. Coming off an Achilles tear is tough, but there should still be optimism with Lawson’s ability to rush the passer. In 51 career games, Lawson has 20 sacks with a season-best of 8.5 in his rookie year. Per PFF, Lawson had a tremendous amount of 64 total pressures in 2020. This season, if Lawson plays all 17 games, 7.5 sacks and 45 total pressures (2.7 per game) are fair to anticipate.
Sauce Gardner: four interceptions, 15 passes defended
The Jets selected Sauce Gardner with the fourth overall pick of the draft to make an instant impact. Gardner has all the qualities to do so. Despite not being thrown at a ton, Gardner consistently picked passes off in college (three every year) and had 16 passes defended in 33 games played. As a rookie, Gardner will make plays for the Jets’ defense. Playing opposite of another very talented and successful cornerback in D.J. Reed will give Gardner opportunities in coverage. Starting his career with four interceptions and 15 passes defended would be a big start Gardner’s career.
Breece Hall: 1,300 scrimmage yards, nine total touchdowns
Breece Hall has a complete skill set in both the run and pass game. He will have a substantial role in both areas from the jump of his rookie year. Having Michael Carter complement him will help keep Hall fresh throughout the season. By the end of the season, 1,300 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns are realistic stats for Hall to have. Over 17 games, 1,300 yards from scrimmage would equate to 76.5 per game. Hall should finish with roughly 900-1,000 rushing yards and 300-400 receiving. Expect about seven rushing touchdowns out of the nine total projected.
Tyler Conklin: 65 catches, 700 receiving yards, four touchdowns
One of the Jets’ most exciting free agency signings was tight end Tyler Conklin. He is coming off a breakout year after getting his first sizable opportunity as a receiver. Over his first three NFL seasons, Conklin had 43 total targets. Last year, he got 87. Conklin finished 2021 with 61 catches, 593 receiving yards (9.7 per catch), and three touchdowns. In 2022, Conklin should get 90 targets in the Jets offense over 17 games (5.3 per game). Hauling in 65 of those 90 targets for 700 yards (10.8 per catch) and four touchdowns would be a massive upgrade at tight end for the Jets.