New York Jets: Top 3 players who have to step up during training camp

Training camp is underway in Florham Park for the New York Jets. Here are the top 3 players that have to step up for the green and white.

The New York Jets are a week into their training camp, and some names have already stepped up to the plate. Guys like Brian Poole, Ty Montgomery, and Robby Anderson have shown their worth already through their play.

There are other players that the Jets hope will step up during camp but haven’t quite done so yet. The Jets need a strong season out of these players if they really want to be a playoff team come January.

Darryl Roberts

The Jets invested a lot of faith into Darryl Roberts this offseason by not re-signing Morris Claiborne. This allowed Roberts to step in and become a full-time starter in Claiborne’s place. If the Jets defense wants to be among the best in the league, they’ll need solid play from Roberts.

Roberts has had some great practices so far in camp. He needs to keep that play going on a consistent basis. He and Trumaine Johnson are the biggest wild cards on the Jets’ defense this season. If they perform at a high level, so will the entire defense.

We talk a lot about the Jets deficiencies at cornerback.

Well, Darryl Roberts had a solid practice today. PBUs and tight coverage on Robby Anderson & outside WRs.

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) July 29, 2019

Claiborne is still available in free agency if Roberts fails to play well enough to keep his role. If Roberts wants to keep his starting job, he’s gonna have to perform at a high enough level to do so. The starting spot is his to lose, and time will tell if he hangs on.

Any Tight End

The Jets lost Chris Herndon IV for the first four games of the season due to a suspension. Herndon was charged with a DUI and it involved aggravating circumstances. Now, the Jets starting tight end job for weeks one through four is wide open.

Trevon Wesco, Daniel Brown, Eric Tomlinson and newly signed players Ryan Griffin and Temuchin Hodges are currently what the Jets are rolling with at tight end. One of them needs to step up and take over the starting job.

As of right now, Griffin is the favorite to start for the first four weeks of the season, but that can change. The spot is anybody’s for the taking, and one of them need to step up and take the job. Sam Darnold needs a viable tight end option for the first quarter of the season.

Speaking of the hole at tight end, co Site-Expert Paul Esden was joined by New York Jets team reporter Olivia Landis to discuss that on The Jets Zone:

ICYMI on @TheJets_Zone, @nyjets team reporter @livlandisjets hopped on:– We talked breakout candidates for #Jets on offense, defense. – Why the CB depth isn't a problem. – Who will step up at TE w/ Chris Herndon MIA in 1st 4 games?#JetsCamp #TakeFlighthttps://t.co/gsSQ3JU1T8

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 18, 2019

Marcus Maye

Marcus Maye started camp off on the PUP list. This was disappointing because many expected him to be ready by now. Maye isn’t fighting for a spot, but he needs to remind the Jets why they drafted him in the second round of the 2017 draft.

Maye struggled to stay healthy last season, dealing with ankle, thumb and shoulder injuries. He underwent surgery on his shoulder over the offseason and has yet to reach 100% in his recovery. He doesn’t need to improve his play, but he needs to show that he’s recovered and ready to go.

Maye and Jamal Adams will hopefully be a force in the secondary together for years to come. That starts with Maye finding a way to be fully healthy and to stay that way. He’s already 26 years old and entering what should be the prime years of his career. Hopefully, he’s fully recovered and on the field by Week 1.