FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets open their 2022 training camp Tuesday at the Atlantic Health Training Facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. Here's a closer look at some of the storylines:
The biggest question: Can quarterback Zach Wilson thrive within the structure of the offense? Wilson, who struggled from the pocket in what coach Robert Saleh called a "rough" rookie year, must learn to play consistently in the Jets' West Coast-based offense. He can make off-script plays, no doubt about that, but they don't want him to rely on that. The entire offense is based on precision and timing, not improvisation. The coaches are optimistic that Wilson will improve because they believe he has a greater command of the scheme.
The 2021 No. 2 overall pick was outplayed by the opposing quarterback in at least 10 of 13 starts. You can’t win in the NFL with a weekly disadvantage at the most important position. The Jets are hoping Wilson can duplicate Josh Allen's career trajectory. The Buffalo Bills star had a hard time as a rookie in 2018 (10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, 52.8% completion rate), but took a significant jump in his second year (20, nine, 58.8%) and helped Buffalo to the playoffs.
Wilson's rookie numbers were similar to those of Allen: nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 55.6%. Typically, quarterbacks that struggle that much as rookies don't skyrocket to stardom. Allen was an outlier; the Jets' entire rebuilding plan hinges on Wilson being able to do the same.
What is the most compelling position battle? Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton vs. himself (and George Fant). Becton, the third-year tackle, has “transcendent” physical ability, according to Saleh, but he’s a question mark because of durability and weight issues. If the 2020 first-round pick comes to camp in shape, and his surgically repaired knee is sound, he has the ability to lift the offensive line to a higher level.
Becton, who has played only eight complete games in two seasons, must gain the trust of the coaching staff. He also may have to switch positions, from left to right tackle, which could hinge on a potential battle with Fant at left tackle. But the real competition is Becton’s ongoing fight to fulfill his immense potential.
Training camp will be a success if ... their top draft picks win prominent roles. It would be an upset if cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson aren't Week 1 starters. That's why they were drafted fourth and 10th overall, respectively. The internal hope is that defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (26th) also nails down a significant role, if not a starting job.
The 2022 and 2021 draft classes are the foundation, and those picks need to be on the field. Wilson has the easiest path to a starting job; Corey Davis and Elijah Moore are the only wide receivers ahead of him. Gardner must overtake incumbent Bryce Hall, but that shouldn't take long. Johnson should have a niche as a situational rusher but plays the run well enough to compete for playing time in the base defense.
What's the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? The workload split between incumbent RB Michael Carter and rookie Breece Hall creates the most fantasy intrigue. The coaching staff prefers a committee approach, so don’t expect a one-man show. Hall has the talent to overtake Carter as the RB1 -- and probably will at some point -- but don’t expect that to happen quickly. Hall’s patient running style (think Le’Veon Bell) was wildly successful in college, but there will be an adjustment as he gets accustomed to the faster pro game. Once Hall finds his rhythm, he should take over as the primary ball carrier. He’s bigger, faster and a better receiver than Carter. Both are held in high regard by the organization, but the internal feeling is that Hall -- with three-down potential -- can be special.
Camp prediction: Receiver Denzel Mims will be traded before the regular season. Despite an encouraging offseason, the 2020 second-round pick is no better than fourth on the depth chart among outside receivers. Because he doesn’t play special teams, Mims doesn’t have game-day value unless he’s part of the receiver rotation. Right now, he’s not. He’d probably be the odd man out on game day, barring injuries. So the question becomes: Do they stash him on the roster as insurance, which wouldn’t make him happy, or do they try to get something in a trade? They probably wouldn’t get much; the New England Patriots got only a 2024 seventh round pick for 2019 first rounder N'Keal Harry. Mims would bring back more than that because he has two years left on his rookie contract, but probably not much more. The Jets will talk him up this summer, hoping to raise his trade value.