5 NY Jets players who can step into a bigger role in 2024

Heading into a highly anticipated 2024 NY Jets season, there are multiple players who could see an increased role. Every successful team has wild card pieces that improve from one year to the next.

Some you see coming, and some you don't. Some turn into superstars before your eyes, and some simply make an impact that you didn't think they would.

It's imperative for the Jets to have some of these performances. Coming off a 7-10 season, last year's production alone won't cut it. There will need to be some leaps taken from 2023 to 2024, as there is for every team that wins.

For the Jets to get where they want to go, they will need some of those breakout performances. Let’s take a look at five players, in no particular order, who could take a significant leap this year.

1. Israel Abanikanda, RB, NY Jets

This may come as a surprise being that many have questioned Israel Abanikanda’s future in New York. But depending on how things play out, Gang Green may need him to take on at least some of the collective rushing load.

We’ve obviously seen Breece Hall get hurt before, and we truly have no idea what rookies Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis will bring. Whether Abanikanda has to increase his carries due to an injury, or just because it turns out he is the best option at RB2, it is possible that he will need to step up his game this season. 

The Jets were high on him coming out of the draft, and it's hard to judge a season in which he only appeared in six games. We have to remember that this is still a 21-year-old kid. And it appears internally that the Jets still have some confidence in his potential.

Coming off of injuries and only 22 carries for 70 yards last year, there is nowhere to go but up. I'm not saying it's a guarantee that he will play a big part in this season's hopeful success, but don't be surprised if he is getting meaningful snaps and making somewhat of an impact.