5 NY Jets players who improved their stock at OTAs

The NY Jets are set to embark on a six-week vacation of sorts between now and the start of training camp in July after a successful series of spring practices.

The Jets held a total of 10 OTAs over the last few weeks, four of which were open to the public. The team was supposed to hold their mandatory minicamp this upcoming week, but Jets head coach Robert Saleh decided to cancel the event given the team's early start to training camp.

It's never wise to make rash judgments based on a few spring practices without pads, but OTAs do serve as the first real opportunity for players to make an impression.

A few players on the Jets' roster managed to do just that this spring. Let's take a look at five of the biggest standouts from the Jets' 2023 OTAs.

5. Jerome Kapp, WR, NY Jets

The Jets invited nearly 40 tryout players to their rookie minicamp last month, and of those nearly 40 rookies, only two were signed to contracts. One of those players was former Kutztown standout Jerome Kapp.

Kapp is one of a few undrafted rookie wide receivers looking to stick around with the Jets this summer, and he made a strong first impression during OTAs.

The Pennsylvania native didn't make any notable highlight-reel plays in the open-media OTA sessions. Instead, he was simply one of the team's most active and consistent offensive performers.

Kapp hauled in four catches in the team's final OTA practice on Friday, capping off an excellent spring for the rookie wideout. He's someone to keep an eye on this summer.

4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, NY Jets

It's hard to say that Aaron Rodgers' stock actually improved this spring, seeing as though the future Hall of Famer didn't really have anything to prove. But as far as first impressions go, Rodgers has nailed it.

Despite not attending voluntary OTAs for years in Green Bay, Rodgers showed up for all 10 Jets OTA practices this spring. Even while he was sidelined nursing a calf injury, Rodgers opted to help coach on the sideline rather than sit at home and rehab his injury.

On the field, Rodgers has wasted little time establishing chemistry with new No. 1 wide receiver Garrett Wilson (more on him later). He's praised a number of the team's young wide receivers, said all the right things to the media, and looked the part in practice.

It's still early days in Rodgers' Jets career, but even the most optimistic of Jets fans have to be at least a little pleasantly surprised by just how well things have gone to this point.

3. Jason Brownlee, WR, NY Jets

Jerome Kapp isn't the only undrafted wide receiver making a name for himself. Former Southern Miss standout Jason Brownlee popped up a few times this spring and also earned a shoutout from Aaron Rodgers himself.

Brownlee hauled in perhaps the catch of the spring on Friday, snagging a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone. The rookie wideout had his left arm pinned down by Jets cornerback Javelin Guidry, but he was still able to adjust mid-air to secure the Zach Wilson-thrown touchdown.

Brownlee very much fits a similar mold to that of fellow Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims. At 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, Brownlee was the leading receiver at Southern Miss for three consecutive seasons and one of the most high-profile undrafted signings the Jets made.

In fact, the Jets actually handed him the fourth-most guaranteed money of any undrafted player this year. The Jets clearly have high hopes for Brownlee, and his spring performance certainly helped boost his stock entering the summer.

2. Jeremy Ruckert, TE, NY Jets

With Tyler Conklin and later C.J. Uzomah banged up with minor injuries, Jeremy Ruckert was given ample opportunity to make an impact this spring, and he absolutely maximized that opportunity.

Ruckert was one of the most active players in the Jets' offense this spring. His best day might have come in the Jets' second open-media OTA session, where he hauled in four catches and nearly secured a big gain over the middle of the field if not for an errant Zach Wilson pass.

The Jets remain high on Ruckert, despite his quiet rookie season. It's not uncommon for young tight ends to take some time adjusting to the NFL. It's actually rare to see tight ends produce early in their careers, especially when they're buried on the depth chart as Ruckert was last year.

Even with Conklin and Uzomah, Ruckert might push for some playing time this season if he continues to impress. He was one of the spring's more notable standouts.

1. Garrett Wilson, WR, NY Jets

Garrett Wilson was the star of OTAs for the Jets — there is no question. Much like Rodgers, it's hard to say that Wilson necessarily improved his stock. After all, he's already penciled in as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.

What Wilson did, however, was remind everyone of just how talented he is while offering a glimpse of what he might be capable of in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense.

Wilson and Rodgers' chemistry was electric in the few practices they had together. The two connected for a beautiful toe-drag completion on the sideline during Friday's practice and hooked up for a back-shoulder fade in the corner of the end zone on Tuesday.

As Rodgers noted on Friday, Wilson seemed to have at least one 'wow' moment in each practice. The former first-round pick could be in for a monster second season if his performance this spring is any indication.