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

4. Ashtyn Davis, S, NY Jets

Based on Chuck Clark’s season-ending injury last June, it is safe to say that his health is, at the very least, questionable.

The hope is that he will be able to hold down the strong safety position all season. He is a talented player, who had an iron-man-like reputation prior to his injury, but an ACL tear is no joke, and even if he does stay on the field, Ashtyn Davis will likely have to take some of the snaps while Clark gets back into playing shape.

When the Jets drafted Davis in the third round in 2020, fans thought he could make a significant impact in the secondary. A hard-hitting menace at California, his NFL future seemed promising. But so far in his career, he has started only a handful of the 54 games he has appeared in.

Davis has battled injury and overall has had a mediocre impact at best. The talent still seems to be there, he just has to stay on the field.

While Davis probably hasn’t lived up to Jets fans’ hopes so far in his career, this season is his chance to make amends and become an important cog on a Super Bowl-contending team.

5. Will McDonald, DE, NY Jets

With no more Bryce Huff or John Franklin-Myers, the Jets could use a big year from Will McDonald. The former Iowa State standout should see significantly more snaps and has a great opportunity to prove why he was a first-round pick.

We all know that Robert Saleh can never have enough defensive linemen, so McDonald will have every chance to break out this season.

If the Jets' defense is going to live up to the hype, they will need to fill the holes left by Huff and Franklin-Myers. This makes McDonald's role absolutely crucial.

It's not hyperbole to say that he can be the difference between a really good defense and a great defense — and to win a Super Bowl, they will need a great defense.