New York

Jets

Per Florio, the Jets’ interest is all about Breece Hall’s recovery from his torn ACL. Although Gang Green has publicly projected optimism on Hall’s status, the truth is it is still too early to know what Hall might be ready for come Week 1. There is also the Aaron Rodgers factor, with the team needing to be all in on what could be Rodgers’ first-and-only season with the team. It is also believed the Dolphins remain interested. Cook figures to sign near the beginning of training camp.

Fowler also reports “several teams in the AFC East are vying for Cook’s potential services.” The Jets have been projecting sunshine on Breece Hall’s ACL recovery, but signing Cook for the type of money he is likely to command would tell a different story. It’s also possible mercenary gunslinger Aaron Rodgers isn’t willing to bet on a sophomore ACL case at running back in what could be his final season. Cook to the Jets ultimately seems unlikely for a number of reasons, but it certainly cannot be dismissed out of hand.

The Jets selected Abanikanda with the 143rd overall pick in this year’s draft, further adding to an already talented backfield. Abanikanda broke out last season with the Pittsburgh Panthers, rushing 239 times for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding another 12-146-1 through the air. In Rosenblatt’s article, he mentions the team’s belief in Abanikanda as a reason why they could pass on veteran free agent Dalvin Cook. His quickest path to playing time is likely dependent on Breece Hall missing time to start the season, but it’s possible he climbs the depth chart over incumbents Zonovan Knight and/or Michael Carter in training camp. For now, we wouldn’t read too much into this. But this could be something worth remembering as we approach camp.

Lawson has looked more healthy this offseason after playing through his 2021 torn Achilles for parts of last season. The Jets restructured Lawson, who was set to make $15 million, and expect a rebound year from the 27-year-old pass rusher. On a Jets defense returning most of its starters, Lawson has a chance to top last year’s seven sacks if he stays healthy.

This was an unfortunate but likely outcome for Clark after the issue was previously reported to be “serious” and possibly season-ending. Clark played on nearly every defensive snap for the Ravens in each of the past three seasons. He was then acquired by the Jets via trade this offseason. After Clark went down, the Jets signed former Packers safety Adrian Amos to a one-year deal. Depending on the severity of the knee issue, Clark could be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

“He appeared to receive the most targets of anyone other than Garrett Wilson in team drills and it looks look the time the Jets gave him to develop in 2022 suited him well. He should play a bigger role this season,” writes Rosenblatt. Ruckert is behind Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah on the depth chart and probably won’t get a big enough share of the pie to be a fantasy target this year, but he’s worth monitoring in deeper dynasty leagues.

Not that this wasn’t spelled out via New York’s offseason moves, as they didn’t get rid of Corey Davis and also brought in Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, but Mims could be a trade candidate as we head into camp and/or last cuts. He did practice some at OTAs, but also missed the latter half for “unknown reasons.” Mims, entering the final year of his rookie contract, has a 42/676/0 career line in three seasons.

Hard to get too up or down on Knight’s prospects for this year given most teams don’t really run the ball in their offseason program anyway, but it’s not a great sign that Knight wasn’t practicing in full considering the Jets have been linked to Dalvin Cook and spent a fifth-round pick on Israel Abanikanda. Knight had some good games last season, but probably deserves to be looked at a little skeptically as a lock to contribute during whatever time Breece Hall misses/is ramping up during early in the year.

Jets coaches and players have expressed nothing but optimism about Hall’s recovery from a 2022 ACL tear. In May, head coach Robert Saleh said he’s “very optimistic” Hall will be ready for Week 1. The second-year back is unlikely to be a full go for Jets training camp next month, but could be ramped up ahead of the regular season. That doesn’t mean Hall would immediately take on a workhorse role in New York’s offense. He could be eased into action over the season’s first half, similar to how the Ravens handled J.K. Dobbins’ knee injury in 2022. The Jets could also be interested in signing Dalvin Cook if Hall isn’t going to be 100 percent this season. Hall’s redraft ADP could fall this summer if these reports continue to trickle out of Jets beat writers.

Acquired in a trade with the Ravens in March, Clark, 28, reportedly sustained the knee injury during New York’s minicamp. Rosenblatt said it appears to be a long-term injury that could cost Clark most or all of the 2023 season. The Jets signed former Packers S Adrian Amos shortly after Clark went down. The Clark injury is a blow to a Jets secondary graded by PFF as last season’s third best coverage unit.