2017 Jets dark horse candidates..

BacktoQueens · Aug 14, 2017

101GangGreen101 said: ↑

I'm going to go with ArDarius Stewart. With Enunwa out, Jets need a receiver that can generate yards after the catch. I like this kid's skill-set, I think we will see him more next preseason game.
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Yeah definitely interesting prospect. Tough gritty kid.
Was he the guy that stiff armed the defender straight to the ground?

We could use some fire in that WR corp..
I'd be happy if he were simply a good role player year 1. it's tough for rookie WR's, especially in WCO.

101GangGreen101 · Aug 14, 2017

BacktoQueens said: ↑

Yeah definitely interesting prospect. Tough gritty kid.
Was he the guy that stiff armed the defender straight to the ground?

We could use some fire in that WR corp..
I'd be happy if he were simply a good role player year 1. it's tough for rookie WR's, especially in WCO.
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Yes indeed, that was him.

tbruner12 · Aug 14, 2017

NCJetsfan said: ↑

Good idea for a thread (as opposed to some other threads we've seen around here lately). It's early, and things can change quickly with injuries or play in the rest of TC and preseason, but at this point I have a number of dark horse candidates that I think are capable of winning or and will win spots on the final roster.

I like all three of your selections as well as Firsker and Donahue. In fact, Donahue is my first selection to make the team.

Making the team (in no certain order)

#1) Dylan Donahue, OLB
He was only a 5th round pick and most (all?) of us had never even heard of this kid, but the Jets' CS supposedly loves him. I read in one article that Greene knew about him and urged the Jets to draft him. He's been flying around practices in OTAs, minicamp and now training camp. I think he not only makes the team, but becomes a designated pass rusher, and once he learns how to cover, I would not be surprised to see him be a full-time starter. Since he was a draft pick some people might say that would make him a lock to make the team, but with the Jets' need at OLB and with their having Corey Lemonier, Freddie Bishop and Frank Beltre, all with experience, I think it was much less of a sure thing, and Donahue could have gotten caught up in a numbers game, but he has earned his spot so far

#2 Chris Harper, WR
I had never heard of him before, but he's been having a great training camp, impressing the coaches and making plays. He's one of the WRs with some NFL experience that actually seems to be making some plays in TC (Myles White is, but Marquess Wilson and Charone Peake don't seem to be, and Robbie Anderson doesn't seem to be doing much). With Anderson struggling, Enunwa dropping a number of passes and now with a recurring neck injury, Harper could wind up being the #1 WR, or at least getting a lot of opportunities. I think he will have a breakout year and be very productive.

#3 Ross Martin, K
He had a good TC last year, but collapsed at the end. The Jets liked him enough to sign him to a contract over the winter, however, and he's looking better than Catanzaro in TC. He worked hard to strengthen his leg over the off season, and if he can continue to be more consistent and accurate, I think he has an excellent chance of beating Catanzaro out for the kicking job.

#4 Lucky Whitehead, WR
Until the Cowboys foolishly released Whitehead and the Jets signed him, I thought that Frankie Hammond, Marcus Murphy, or Romar Morris would probably make the team as a return man. Now, I expect Whitehead to be the guy. He's had some problems with fumbles, but is fast, experienced, and a good returner. Hammond and Murphy still might make the PS, but with the numbers being as tight as they are, and the Jets having so many good young players with potential, I think they'll be hard pressed to make the team.

#5 Connor Harris, ILB
He is the top collegiate tackler of all time (or something like that), a NJ local, and the Jets supposedly like him a lot. According to reports, he's been practicing with the 2nd string, getting some reps with the starters, and looking pretty good. I think he may have a good future with the Jets.

#6 Lawrence Thomas, DL
Thomas actually made the final roster last year, and was playing so well he was part of the rotation, but was injured early and spent the season on IR. Unless he is outplayed by one of the veterans FAs the Jets added or Claude Pelon, or gets injured, I expect Thomas will make the roster again.

#7 Shamarko Thomas, S
I had never heard of this kid before TC started, but have seen positive comments about him in several of the TC reports. He's making some big plays, and has some talent. Adams and Maye are locks as is Rontez Miles, and previously, I thought that Doug Middleton or Ronald Martin would be the 4th S, but I think Thomas has a real shot to unseat both of those two and win the 4th S spot on the team.

#8 Mike Pennel, NT
This kid has talent, and is supposedly fast and athletic for his size. He supposedly has cleaned up his act regarding substance abuse, so he definitely stands a real shot to make the team. It could come down to a numbers thing if he doesn't make it. I doubt he'd clear waivers and make it to the PS, but even if he did, he'd likely get signed off of it.

#9 Spencer Paysinger, ILB
He's a dark horse candidate because I think he won't make it because of his age and because of numbers, but he probably deserves to make the team. He's a pretty good player, good STs player, and has experience. The Jets would have to cut Demario Davis or Bruce Carter (another STer) or try to sneak Connor Harris on the PS and hope that no one signs him. I think he probably deserves a spot on the team, but will be surprised if he makes it. I can't see the Jets keeping 5 ILBs, and can't see their cutting any of the others, unless it's Carter.

#10 Anthony Firkser, FB
The Jets plan on keeping a FB. Julian Howsare is the incumbent, but is underwhelming. The newly-signed Algernon Brown is a rookie UDFA just signed and playing catch up. Firkser can block and catch the ball, and has experience playing TE as well. I think he's the favorite to make the team if for no other reason than his flexibility to play a couple of positions. He'd probably have to play himself off the team at this point.

Honorable Mention: Jason Vander Laan, TE
He was a college QB, and as a UDFA last season (if memory serves me correctly) he impressed the Jets enough at TE to keep him on the PS. I've read in several articles that the Jets like him a lot. With ASJ being suspended the first two games, Vander Laan may have had a chance to make the roster at least for the first two weeks, but with the addition of Chris Gragg, those chances may be greatly diminished. Leggett will make the team and probably Eric Tomlinson, as he is a good blocker and has experience. If Anthony Firkser makes the team as a FB, then that makes it even less likely that Vander Laan makes the team since Firkser has some experience and ability as a TE. I haven't heard anything about Laan's abilities as a blocker, but he must be a pretty good receiver. I don't think the Jets will keep more than 3 TEs (ASJ, Leggett and either Tomlinson or Gragg, plus Firkser), but I suspect that he will be kept on the PS and has potential for the future.

Players improving their level of play, getting more playing time, and possibly starting

#11 Josh Martin, OLB
The CS evidently likes him a lot. He has been playing with the starting unit a lot in OTAs and now TC ahead of Jenkins and Mauldin at times. I definitely see him making the team again, seeing more action at OLB, and even having a solid shot at starting.

#12 Juston Burris, CB
Burris improved quickly last year, and Kacy Rodgers said during the offseason that he should have played Burris a lot more last season than he did. According to reports, he looks even better this year, and has a shot to beat out Buster Skrine for the #2 CB spot. I hope that he does. IMO he's already better than Skrine. Skrine isn't that good. If the Jets cut him following TC, they'd incur a $2 million dead money hit on the cap, but would save $6 million. I'm not sure he's worth the $2 million, let alone the $6 million. If Roberts, Williams or any of the other CBs can play slot CB or if the Jets can pick up a camp cut that can play the slot well, I'd halfway like to see the Jets cut Skrine.
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Damn good post dude!!!

BacktoQueens · Aug 26, 2017

Any more predictions before tonight's game?

No one had predicted McDougle. He might be the biggest surprise.
I'm still waiting to see if Pennel will earn a roster spot. If we keep playing Nickel as a base, might be hard to justify keeping him.

2017 Jets dark horse candidates..

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