4 young NY Jets that should see more playing time in 2021

3. Jonathan Marshall, DT, NY Jets

Another rookie the Jets should give more snaps to on defense is 2021 sixth-round pick Jonathan Marshall. Marshall has played in just two games this season being rendered a healthy scratch in the other 11 games his team has played.

Instead, the Jets have primarily leaned on Nathan Shepherd to be the team's primary backup defensive tackle. Shepherd has been a regular part of the rotation receiving 30-40 percent of snaps per game.

He's just behind the likes of Folorunso Fatukasi and Sheldon Rankins when it comes to playing time which, given his lackluster performance for much of the year, is probably a mistake.

Although he's been better as of late, the former third-round pick has a woeful 46.8 Pro Football Focus grade that ranks 106th out of 125 qualified interior defensive linemen. And seeing as he's a free agent at the end of the season anyway, it's hard to justify playing him as much as the Jets are.

Now, it's far from a guarantee that Marshall will be an upgrade. The former Arkansas standout is athletically gifted, but he remains a raw overall talent. The Jets have seemingly viewed this year as a developmental season for their young defensive tackle.

The strategy makes sense, but why not throw him out there and see what he's got rather than continue to play an underperforming player in Shepherd who won't be back next season?

The Jets should give Jonathan Marshall a chance to make a name for himself over the final month of the season.