4 NY Jets players whose stock is falling after OTAs

The NY Jets have completed the voluntary portion of their offseason, and with mandatory minicamp canceled, that means the team won't reconvene for over a month until training camp begins in July.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that he felt comfortable canceling minicamp due in part to the work the team had already put in this spring. It's fair to say that a few players improved their stock during OTAs, but the inverse is also true.

We've already covered some of the biggest standouts from OTAs this spring. What about the players who saw their stock fall, at least a little, due in part to either poor performance or a variety of factors?

Let's take a look at four Jets players whose stock has fallen a little following this year's OTAs.

4. Bryce Hall, CB, NY Jets

Less than two full years ago, it seemed like the Jets had found a diamond in the rough and potential long-term building block in Bryce Hall. Now, Hall finds himself fighting for a roster spot, and he didn't do himself any favors this spring.

The former fifth-round selection was picked on quite a bit this spring, with his worst performance likely coming during the team's third open-media practice. Hall got off to a rough start and was beaten badly on an underthrown pass from Zach Wilson to rookie Jason Brownlee.

Wilson's pass fluttered in the air, but Hall misplayed it, allowing Brownlee to come back and make an excellent adjustment. Tracking has been an area of concern for Hall since entering the NFL. We saw that last summer with his difficult preseason showing.

Hall's lack of special-teams versatility and recent shaky performances haven't helped his standing with the team. He's very much on the roster bubble entering the summer.

3. C.J. Uzomah, TE, NY Jets

C.J. Uzomah's stock has fallen slightly during OTAs, but it's not necessarily due to anything he did. An apparent leg injury cut his OTAs short, but the Jets expect Uzomah to be on the field by the start of training camp next month.

Instead, it's what Uzomah's direct competition did that has his stock falling. Tyler Conklin was sidelined for all of OTAs with an undisclosed injury, allowing extra snaps for 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert.

Ruckert looked every part of a player who deserves to play a role in the Jets' offense in 2023. The former Ohio State standout was one of the stars of OTAs and arguably the most active receiver on the team this spring.

The Jets probably want to see if Ruckert's strong spring can carry over into the summer, but if it does, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field. That could be bad news for Uzomah.

Conklin's role in the Jets' offense is likely pretty secure. The 27-year-old hauled in 58 catches for 552 yards last season, finishing second on the team in both categories. He's very likely still the TE1 in this Jets offense.

If the Jets want to give Ruckert some snaps, it might have to come at the expense of Uzomah.

Aside from his minor leg injury, Uzomah's spring was relatively uneventful. His competition made some serious noise, however. Ruckert might just push Uzomah for playing time early in the season if he continues to impress.

2. Mekhi Becton, OT, NY Jets

Much like with Uzomah, Mekhi Becton isn't exactly to blame for his stock falling following OTAs. The former first-round pick has seemingly been putting in the work on and off the field to better himself this offseason.

Not only is Becton down over 50 pounds, but he's also been spending extra hours with offensive line coach Keith Carter in the film room. Becton has shown up motivated and dedicated to compete following two injury-riddled seasons.

Unfortunately, it might not even matter.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh all but handed the starting left tackle job to Duane Brown when speaking to reporters this spring. It might be a competition on paper, but it seems like the Jets are pretty set on Brown at left tackle if he's healthy.

That's not exactly an encouraging development for Becton, who has been very vocal about his desire to play left tackle in the past. In fact, Becton even partially blamed his injury last season on the Jets forcing him to play right tackle.

The good news (not really) for Becton is that he might not play right tackle, either. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt is reporting that Becton is far from a lock to start anywhere on the Jets' offensive line. In Rosenblatt's prediction, he has Brown and Billy Turner starting at tackle for the Jets.

Becton is expected to be 100 percent cleared in time for training camp, and while he may be given the opportunity to earn a starting job, it's evident that nothing is being handed to him.

1. Denzel Mims, WR, NY Jets

It's unclear why Denzel Mims wasn't in attendance for the Jets' OTAs this spring, but his absence certainly didn't help improve his stock. If anything, it had the exact opposite effect.

With Mims at home, a number of young wide receivers on the Jets' roster helped improve their own chances of making a roster. And if any of these players are to make the team, it'll very likely be at the expense of Mims.

Jason Brownlee, who the Jets handed the fourth-most guaranteed money of any undrafted rookie this offseason, put together an impressive spring, complete with a highlight-reel, one-handed grab.

Brownlee, fellow undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson, and second-year receiver Irvin Charles earned shoutouts from Aaron Rodgers as well. All three developed all-important chemistry with their new quarterback, while Mims was nowhere to be found.

Another undrafted rookie who made waves was Jerome Kapp. Signed following a successful rookie minicamp tryout, Kapp was one of the most active players on either side of the ball this spring.

Any of those players, most specifically Brownlee, have a chance to push Mims for that sixth wide receiver spot on the roster. Mims already finds himself on the roster bubble after hauling in just 19 catches over the last two years.

It's not fair to speculate about the reason for Mims' absence, but it is fair to suggest that his absence absolutely did him no favors.

While his direct competition developed chemistry with their new quarterback, Mims wasn't even at the team's facility. That doesn't bode well for his chances of making the 53-man roster this summer.