5 NY Jets players who shined in the second preseason game

The NY Jets put forth a dominant display in the team's second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. The Jets routed the Panthers to the tune of a 27-0 final in a game that never seemed close.

Of course, it is only preseason, but it's always nice to see your team score a blowout victory. The Jets' starters and backups got the better of their opponent on Saturday.

From a dominant effort from the offensive line to a number of exciting offensive standouts, a large number of players on the roster made their presence felt this weekend.

Let's take a look at five Jets players who shined the brightest during Saturday's preseason game.

5. Mekhi Becton, OT, NY Jets

Mekhi Becton entered Saturday's game hoping to prove that he could withstand a more significant workload than the seven snaps he played in the team's preseason opener. He accomplished exactly that.

Becton was on the field for 27 of the Jets' offensive snaps before Robert Saleh finally decided to pull him in the second half. Saleh said after the game that Becton even wanted to play more snaps.

The former first-round pick was partially responsible for a sack in the first quarter but overall put together another very encouraging performance. It was a major step in the right direction for a player who is genuinely fighting for his Jets career this summer.

Perhaps this performance prompts the Jets to give Becton some first-team reps in practice next week. It would be nice to see him take over for the struggling Billy Turner/Max Mitchell.

4. Will McDonald, DE, NY Jets

The entire Jets defensive line feasted on Saturday, and that was with the team resting the likes of Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, and Al Woods. In reality, you could include a number of defensive linemen on this list.

Guys like Bryce Huff and Quinton Jefferson deserve shoutouts, but one player who continues to make plays this summer is rookie first-round pick Will McDonald.

McDonald recorded a sack on third down in the second quarter, bending around the left tackle to bring down quarterback Matt Corral and force a punt.

It was another promising performance from the rookie pass rusher. This Jets' defensive line is as deep as any unit in the league, and Saturday's game proved that.

3. Israel Abanikanda, RB, NY Jets

Another rookie who impressed on Saturday was fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda. Abanikanda led the Jets in rushing with 56 yards and a healthy 4.7 yards per carry.

The highlight of the evening was a breathtaking 26-yard run up the middle that came inches away from his second touchdown in two preseason games. The run included a nasty spin move that showcased the rookie's explosiveness and elusiveness.

Abanikanda is still a work in progress, but he's making a case to be involved in the Jets' running back rotation this season. The Jets can really use his big-play ability, especially with Breece Hall still working his way back from injury.

That one run displayed exactly why the Jets drafted him. Abanikanda has a chance to be a dynamic change-of-pace option this season.

2. Michael Carter, RB, NY Jets

Israel Abanikanda wasn't the only Jets running back to make the most of his snaps on Saturday. Michael Carter made his 2023 preseason debut and looked fantastic in the process.

Carter showed flashes of the player the Jets saw as a rookie, as the third-year running back finished with 19 yards and a 4.8 average to go along with a team-leading 34 yards on two catches.

Carter totaled a whopping 53 yards on just six touches, and, most importantly, he showcased the speed and elusiveness that he did as a rookie. The former North Carolina star broke four tackles in his limited snaps.

Former undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight has outplayed Carter for much of the summer, but the latter certainly improved his stock in Saturday's game. It was a vintage performance for the Jets' young running back.

1. Jermaine Johnson, DE, NY Jets

Jermaine Johnson was the best player on the field on Saturday. The Jets' defensive line abused the Panthers' starting and backup offensive line, and Johnson was a primary reason for that, at least early in the game.

The Florida State product finished with three tackles, a sack, and 2 QB hits on just 12 defensive snaps. Johnson barely played double-digit snaps, but he made his presence felt seemingly every time he was on the field.

The Jets have been running Johnson with the first-team defense for most of the summer, even when Carl Lawson was healthy. With Lawson missing time in camp due to a lingering back injury, Johnson is making a strong push to continue working with the starters come the regular season.

Johnson looks quicker, faster, and stronger than he did as a rookie. Expect him to take on a significantly larger role in his second NFL season.