NY Jets: 3 players who earned larger roles in 2021

The NY Jets weren't able to find a lot of success in 2020. That's probably even a bit of an understatement.

After starting the season with an abysmal 0-13 record, the Jets somehow managed to rattle off two wins in their final three games to finish 2-14. It was the second-worst season in franchise history.

To make matters worse, instead of a host of promising young talent looking to prove themselves, the Jets still trotted out players like Chris Hogan, Frank Gore, Henry Anderson, and Bradley McDougald for far too much of the season.

It was difficult to watch.

Still, there were a few young players who managed to shine, albeit in limited playing time. Players like Denzel Mims and Bryce Hall proved that they could be future starters at their respective positions when given the chance to start.

But those two players were given opportunities and are each projected to be Week 1 starters this season. The following three players weren't afforded those same opportunities and aren't guarantee to be given them this year.

Which Jets players played well in limited action last season and earned more snaps in 2021? We take a look at three candidates.

3. Bryce Huff, DE, NY Jets

Despite a very poor roster, only one undrafted free agent made the Jets' initial 53-man roster in 2020. But that one player was perhaps the most notable of them all.

Memphis edge rusher Bryce Huff earned a spot on the roster and, before long, found himself as part of the pass-rush rotation. After being a healthy scratch in each of the first two games, Huff would go on to play in the final 14 games of the season.

The undrafted rookie finished with two sacks, four QB hits, and four tackles for loss seeing the field for only 25 percent of defensive snaps.

It was an encouraging rookie season for Huff, one that leads many to believe that he could be a mainstay as part of the defensive end rotation under new head coach Robert Saleh.

Huff won't be handed any opportunities, however. He'll be part of a revamped defensive front featuring players like Carl Lawson, Vinny Curry, and John Franklin-Myers.

The 23-year-old will have to earn his snaps this summer as he competes for playing time in the defensive end rotation.

Given how efficient he was a year ago, Huff should be afforded every opportunity to receive significant playing time in 2021.

2. Javelin Guidry, CB, NY Jets

Another undrafted rookie, Javelin Guidry received far fewer opportunities than his teammate Huff did in 2020. In fact, he really only received anything resembling significant playing time in three games.

But in those three games, Guidry shined.

The speedy cornerback finished with an excellent 73.1 Pro Football Focus grade that would have ranked as the team's best cornerback by a wide margin if he qualified.

His 76.5 pass coverage grade would have been the 12th-best grade out of any cornerback in the NFL if he played enough snaps to qualify. Guidry also amazingly led the team with four forced fumbles despite playing more than seven snaps in just three games

Guidry was excellent in 2020, and he could be primed to receive more playing time this season.

The Jets pretty much ignored the cornerback position in the offseason waiting until Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft to address it. That's good news for a player like Guidry who likely won't have to compete with a veteran for playing time.

His primary competition will come in the form of fifth-round pick Michael Carter II who will compete with Guidry for the starting nickel cornerback job in training camp.

Unless the Jets sign a veteran like Brian Poole, it looks like it will be Carter and Guidry fighting it out this summer.

Given Guidry's stellar play last season, he deserves the first crack at the starting job.

1. Ty Johnson, RB, NY Jets

The Jets finished the 2020 season in the bottom-10 of all teams in rushing yards and yards per carry. And if it wasn't for Ty Johnson, they would have ranked even lower in both categories.

Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Jets in early October and would finish the year as the team's most productive and efficient running back.

In 11 games, Johnson carried the ball 54 times for 264 yards and a touchdowns averaging an excellent 4.7 yards per carry. Compared to his teammates, it was night and day.

Veteran Frank Gore averaged a miserable 3.5 yards per carry while rookie La'Mical Perine was hardly any better averaging just 3.6 yards per attempt. Johnson, however, was different.

The former sixth-round pick was explosive and dynamic, breathing new life into the Jets' running game late in the season.

Whereas Gore and Perine underperformed (in terms of expected rushing yards) given their situation, Johnson exceeded his projections.

He'll be tasked with competing for snaps as part of a crowded rotation in 2021 alongside the returning Perine and offseason additions Tevin Coleman and Michael Carter.

But Johnson has the potential to be the star of the group. And considering how well he played in a poor offensive system a year ago, hopes are high for Ty Johnson this season.