NY Jets: 3 storylines to follow going into training camp

The NY Jets and the rest of the NFL are just days away from the start of training camp.

Its been an odd offseason for the NFL and its fans over the last few months. But in less than a week, the NFL is planning on opening up training camps. The NY Jets are expected to start camp on July 28th with a two-game preseason the following month.

However, the league is debating whether if they should have a preseason at all. If they decide to not have a preseason it will make it more difficult for the coaches to determine who makes the 53-man roster.

As fans, we want football back for the love of the game but we also want it back so we can feel a sense of normalcy again. It’s a tough situation because the players come first and the NFL has to implement serious safety measures so we can have a regular season.

Right now the NFL is operating as scheduled with starting the 2020 regular season on time, so as we quickly approach the start of Jets football, here are three storylines to follow during training camp.

Next: 3. Which linebackers will make the roster?

3. Which linebackers will make the NY Jets’ roster?

It’s no secret that the Jets linebacker group is one of the best units on the team. It’s the one unit that has the most depth from top to bottom. In a recent article published by NESN.com, the Jets linebacker corps was ranked as the ninth-best going into the 2020 season.

In 2019, the young talent at linebacker prevailed and stepped up in Avery Williamson and C.J. Mosley’s absence. Upstarts like Neville Hewitt, James Burgess, and Blake Cashman became vital parts in the Jets defense that ranked seventh in the NFL last season.

While Mosley’s spot on the team is more than secure, Williamson’s job on the other hand is not. As of right now, Williamson is starting alongside Mosley on the depth chart but is coming off an ACL tear he suffered in the team’s preseason affair with the Atlanta Falcons last season.

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I’m not saying he can’t come back from an ACL injury — we have seen it done before in the NFL. But it is going to be an uphill battle for Williamson who could find himself a cap casualty if he doesn’t appear to be full strength

The Jets also acquired former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Onwuasor who started 12 games in 2018 and was a vital piece on special teams for the team.

Cutting Williamson will save the team around $6.5 million in cap space if they decide to go with one of the younger, cheaper options at linebacker.

Next: 2. Which wide receivers will rise to the occasion?

2. Which wide receivers will shine for the NY Jets?

One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been the lack of talent at wide receiver and that will continue heading into training camp.

After letting Robby Anderson walk in free agency, the Jets signed former first-rounders Breshad Perriman and Josh Doctson, while also drafting Denzel Mims with the 59th overall pick in this year’s draft.

The question that is lingering in Jets fans’ minds is who will step up and take Anderson’s place as the top outside receiver on the team?

Jamison Crowder is returning after leading the team in receiving yards out of the slot, but the Jets are still looking for an outside deep threat in the offense to help Sam Darnold.

Everyone is high on Mims already even though he hasn’t played a snap in the NFL yet, and he has the potential to become the next top receiver of the Jets.

Mims is a project and he’s got all the potential in the world, but he is going to have to work on his route-running as that is one of the weakest parts of his game.

Perriman is also an intriguing player because he was a former first-round pick that had a lot of hype around him back in 2015. Perriman snagged 36 balls for 645 receiving yards in only four starts with Tampa Bay last season.

He is a deep threat and a solid route runner and can quickly become one of Darnold’s favorite weapons if he can stay healthy.

The receivers that are on the bubble but can make an impact are undrafted rookies Lawrence Cager and George Campbell, Josh Doctson, Braxton Berrios, and Vyncint Smith who I think can be a breakout player for the Jets this season.

Next: 1. The Jamal Adams situation

1. How will the NY Jets/Jamal Adams situation play out?

This is the biggest story going into training camp as the Jamal Adams situation remains ongoing. Connor Rogers of Bleacher Report took to Twitter to report that Adams will report to camp on time despite the contract dispute.

As a fan, the hope is that he’s in the Week 1 lineup against Buffalo, but things between Adams and the team seem murky.

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The Jets still have Adams under his current rookie deal until 2022, but after being regarded by many as arguably the best safety in the league and coming off an All-Pro season, Adams wants to get paid.

Who can blame him — he deserves to get a contract extension especially after Myles Garrett and Chris Jones got big paydays this past week. But, Adams’ asking price is too high and it seems like the Jets want to hold off and wait at least until next offseason.

In my mind, Adams is the best in the league and he deserves to get paid eventually. This is the perfect situation for Adams — he is a player who is a natural-born leader, a player the Jets need in their locker room to change this losing culture into a winning one.

Unfortunately, Adams is still requesting to be traded and that deserves monitoring going into training camp.