5 NY Jets who are already turning heads at OTAs

The NY Jets are already over halfway through their OTA schedule for the 2024 season with just four spring practices remaining before mandatory minicamp in a couple of weeks.

The Jets have held six different OTA practices to this point, and that's given us enough time to identify some early winners of the spring. Of course, it's always best not to put too much stock in spring practices.

That being said, it is still important for players to make good first impressions, especially if this is their first season with their new team. That is indeed the case for the majority of the players on this list.

Let's take a look at five Jets players who have turned heads through the first two weeks of OTAs.

5. Eric Watts, DL, NY Jets

The Jets have a number of very intriguing undrafted rookie defensive linemen on their roster, and perhaps none are more intriguing than former Connecticut standout Eric Watts.

The Jets gave Watts a whopping $245,000 in guarantees upon signing, the most of any undrafted rookie on the roster. He's quickly proving why he has a real chance to stick around past this summer.

Watts has been a regular force working with the second and third-team defense throughout OTAs, even beating rookie first-round pick Olu Fashanu for a would-be sack earlier this spring.

Fellow undrafted rookie defensive lineman Braiden McGregor also had a strong practice on Friday, but it's Watts who has been the most impressive. He's someone Jets fans should familiarize themselves with before the hype train really takes off this summer.

4. Kenny Yeboah, TE, NY Jets

Kenny Yeboah has been the somewhat forgotten man in the Jets' tight end room, but after the team didn't make any notable changes to the position in the offseason, he has an opportunity to earn a real role in 2024.

Yeboah has been one of the most impressive players on offense for the Jets this summer, with the highlight being a 60-yard touchdown thrown to him by Aaron Rodgers on Thursday. The fourth-year tight end has worked quite a bit with the first-team offense, sometimes ahead of Jeremy Ruckert.

Yeboah has stuck around as a special-teams regular for the Jets and remains a favorite of special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Barring injury, he feels like a safe bet to make the 53-man roster at this point.

If Yeboah continues to impress like this, we might be talking about him as a genuine contributor alongside Tyler Conklin in the Jets' offense. He's outperformed Ruckert this spring.

3. Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, NY Jets

Friday's practice was a Qwan'tez Stiggers day. The rookie cornerback was outstanding in coverage all day, including a highlight-reel pick-six off of Tyrod Taylor in which Stiggers jumped a check-down attempt to rookie running back Braelon Allen.

Stiggers also made a few plays on Thursday, locking up Allen Lazard on multiple red-zone attempts. The former CFL standout ran stride for stride with Lazard, knocking away a would-be touchdown on a beautiful back-shoulder fade from Rodgers.

It's become increasingly apparent that Stiggers is already beloved by his teammates on defense. His teammates rushed the field to celebrate with him following his pick-six on Friday.

Despite his lack of experience, Stiggers has looked the part thus far. The Jets may have found an under-the-radar gem in the unlikeliest of places. Robert Saleh has proven he knows how to identify defensive talent.

2. Will McDonald, DE, NY Jets

One of the players the Jets are relying on to take a huge leap forward in 2024 is second-year pass rusher Will McDonald. While he hasn't necessarily been lighting it up this spring, he has shown flashes.

McDonald has consistently gotten the better of second-year tackle Carter Warren when matched up with him, and although he hasn't fared as well against Tyron Smith, that's probably to be expected.

With Haason Reddick not in attendance, McDonald has gotten a lot of work with the first-team defense, and he hasn't looked out of place. The Iowa State product has added some muscle to his previously thin frame and doesn't seem to have lost a step with his agility.

The Jets are counting on McDonald to help make up for the losses of Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers this offseason. He's already off to an encouraging start this spring.

1. Braelon Allen, RB, NY Jets

It's typically expected that rookies just entering the NFL will be working behind the incumbent veterans on the depth chart, at least during the offseason program. That hasn't been the case at running back.

With Breece Hall temporarily sidelined due to a minor injury, it's been rookie Braelon Allen who has received the majority of reps with the first-team offense, and he's made the most of the opportunity.

Allen has flashed his upside as a pass catcher while breaking off a couple of long runs in practice. He's notably working ahead of Israel Abanikanda, who is quickly plummeting down the depth chart.

Fellow rookie Isaiah Davis and new signing Tarik Cohen have received just as many, if not more reps than Abanikanda over the last few practices. Meanwhile, Allen remains the odds-on early favorite to be the Jets' primary RB2 behind Hall.