Monday morning, the New York Jets released their first unofficial depth chart for 2022. The first depth chart released is usually something to take very little from. The Jets did not assign first-team designations to any of their draft picks. However, there were a few surprising players to see listed with the starters.
New York Jets offense:
The current starting offense for the Jets does now have one big, looming question. The starting right tackle replacement for Mekhi Becton is a massive unknown. Hopefully, the team is able to agree to a contract with Duane Brown.
From there, the starters are fairly self-explanatory. Starting up front, George Fant, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, and Alijah Vera-Tucker are all obvious. The starters at the skill positions around Zach Wilson are Michael Carter, Nick Bawden, Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Braxton Berrios, and CJ Uzomah.
Breece Hall and Max Mitchell were listed with the third team and Garrett Wilson, the second. As mentioned above, the first depth chart is not a final set-in-stone lineup by any means.
Some notables with the second string are Tyler Conklin, Denzel Mims, Tevin Coleman, and Jeff Smith.
Joe Flacco was listed as the backup, with Mike White as the third-string quarterback. Ty Johnson is currently the fourth running back above La’Mical Perine and Zonovan Knight. At tight end, Trevon Wesco was placed above Kenny Yeboah and Lawrence Cager.
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New York Jets defense:
There were two listed starters defensively that jumped out. At defensive tackle, Solomon Thomas and Marcell Harris at linebacker were both surprises to see with the starting defense.
Fourth-overall pick Sauce Gardner was listed alongside Bryce Hall. The rest of the defense was pretty much to be expected.
Starting up front, Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers are at edge. Quinnen Williams is, of course, alongside Thomas at tackle. With Harris at linebacker are two obvious starters in C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. Outside of Gardner and Hall, the Jets’ defensive backfield is to be expected with DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Jordan Whitehead, and Lamarcus Joyner.
Some second-stringers on the defense are Jacob Martin, Vinny Curry, Sheldon Rankins, and Nathan Shepherd up front. Shepherd is ahead of second-year defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall. Talented young players Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff are listed with the third team. Both should have important roles, however.
On the second level, the three second-stringers are Kwon Alexander, Jamien Sherwood, and Hamsah Nasirildeen, no real surprises. Core special-teamer Del’Shawn Phillips is with the third team.
The second-team secondary consists of Brandin Echols, Isaiah Dunn, Javelin Guidry, Jason Pinnock, and Ashtyn Davis. Joe Douglas added all these players during the 2020 and 2021 drafts. Another integral special teams player, Justin Hardee, happened to be with the third team as well. Lastly, at safety, the Jets have two third-teamers to feel good about in Elijah Riley and Will Parks.
New York Jets special teams:
The lone special teams battle in camp for the Jets, kicker, currently has Eddy Pineiro and Greg Zuerlein both listed as starters. It will be worth watching this continue to play out as the preseason looms. Punter Braden Mann, long snapper Thomas Hennessy, and Braxton Berrios as the starting kick and punt returner are no surprises.