Five Jets Players Ready to Break Out in 2024
The Jets are looking to prove the doubters wrong in 2024. Many on the roster are looking to break out and have a career year. It’s crucial that these guys step up to try and put New York back on top of the AFC East. Here’s a look at five Jets ready to break out this upcoming season.
5. Tony Adams
The young Jets safety steps into year three after a major improvement last season, starting all 15 games he played for New York. Tony Adams has the opportunity to take yet another leap, with safety Jordan Whitehead leaving for Tampa Bay. The bulk of the safety group now falls onto Adams’ shoulders as the lone returning starter for the Jets. The potential and opportunity are both there, now it is up to Adams to do his part surrounded by one of the best secondaries in the NFL.
4. Breece Hall
One can argue Breece Hall has already had his breakout, finishing second in total scrimmage yards by a running back last season behind only Christian McCaffery. That’s the reason for him being left out of the top three in this list, as Hall’s season is set up to smash his numbers from last season. For starters, he is another year removed from an ACL tear that limited him in the first few weeks of last year. Furthermore, there’s more attention taken off Hall with Aaron Rodgers back under center, adding a pass threat to the Jets offense that was not there last year. To finish it off, the Jets’ offensive line ranked in the bottom third in 2023, and now come into this season as a top-five unit according to Pro Football Focus. Hall could put up numbers that have not been seen by a Jets running back since Curtis Martin in 2004.
3. Javon Kinlaw
Javon Kinlaw has had a rough start to his career after being drafted 14th overall in 2020 by the 49ers. He was drafted when Head Coach Robert Saleh was the defensive coordinator in San Francisco and now the duo is back together in New York. Many players have found success on Saleh’s defenses, especially when that player is lined up next to Quinnen Williams. Last year, Quinton Jefferson had the best year of his career in the 13 games he played next to Williams. Playing two years next to Williams also rejuvenated Sheldon Rankins’ career, another former first-rounder. Kinlaw clearly had the potential on draft day and looks to finally hit his stride, now reunited with Coach Saleh.
2. Will McDonald IV
The Jets’ first-round draft pick in 2023 didn’t see a whole lot of time last season. This was a similar case to Jermaine Johnson II’s start to his career in 2022 after the Jets took him in the first round. Johnson followed that first-year learning experience by making a Pro Bowl in 2023. Will McDonald IV looks to do the same, showing major flashes in minicamp and craving a bigger role. With Haasan Reddick’s contract dispute continuing, McDonald might get an even greater chance at showing his abilities. If McDonald follows Johnson’s blueprint on a year two leap, he could make a major name for himself on an elite defense.
1. Garrett Wilson
Many thought Garrett Wilson’s takeoff was going to come last year, but his opportunity was quickly limited after Aaron Rodgers went down with an Achilles injury on the first drive of the season. Even with subpar quarterback play, Wilson has managed back-to-back 1000-yard seasons to start his career. He had one of the highest target rates in the league, along with a large amount of incomplete air yards, meaning he was being thrown the ball a ton, but many of his potential yards were never converted mainly because of the quarterback throwing to him. With a healthy Rodgers, there is no ceiling on Wilson’s season, and he is poised to leap into stardom.
