5 NY Jets who are fighting for their future jobs After week 18 matchup will take place with Team Management consideration
These five Jets have a lot to play for on Sunday
The NY Jets as a team don’t have much to play for other than pride in their 2023 season finale against the New England Patriots this Sunday. Sure, it would be nice to finally end an eight-year losing streak against their division rivals, but the Jets have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
The only tangible impact Sunday’s game will have on the future of both franchises is that the matchup will help determine where both teams select in the 2024 NFL Draft.
For the players, however, there’s always more at stake. Players don’t care about draft position — they want to win and play the best game they can to improve their own stock. That’s especially true for the five players on this list.
Let’s take a look at five Jets players who are quite literally fighting for their future jobs in Sunday’s Week 18 matchup.
5. Carter Warren, OT, NY Jets
Jets rookie offensive tackle Carter Warren will make his fifth NFL start when he takes the field this Sunday. The Jets never expected Warren to play this early in his pro career, but a slew of injuries has given the 2023 fourth-round pick a golden opportunity.
To this point, Warren has mostly struggled. He’s allowed 19 pressures and five sacks in five games (four starts). His 46.2 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 76th out of 82 offensive tackles to play at least 300 snaps this season. That’s a worse grade than both Max Mitchell and Mekhi Becton.
None of this should be surprising, given that not only did Warren miss time this summer and fall with an injury but he’s also being asked to play a position he didn’t really play in college. It was always going to be an uphill battle for him this season.
Still, Warren has a chance to finish out his rookie season on a high note and perhaps convince the Jets that he can be counted on as a swing tackle option in 2024. Right now, he’s likely just competing for a roster spot next summer.
4. Ashtyn Davis, NY Jets
Ashtyn Davis has been one of the Jets’ most surprising success stories this season. The former third-round pick was seen as a roster-bubble player in each of the last two summers, and it was somewhat surprising to see him stick around in 2023.
The Jets valued Davis’ versatility on special teams, but he’s proven this season that he deserves a role on defense. The Cal product has developed a knack for the big play, racking up two interceptions and three fumble recoveries in just 16 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps this season.
Davis is set to be a free agent in the offseason, and his breakout 2023 season might have earned him some extra money. Perhaps that money comes from the Jets, who decide to re-sign him in the offseason.
Davis will have an opportunity to put a stamp on what has been an impressive season for the California native in Week 18. It’s a safe bet to assume that he’ll find a way to maximize his snaps.
3. Bryce Huff, DE, NY Jets
Speaking of breakout seasons, Bryce Huff has earned himself a lot of money this year. The Jets have seemingly done everything to replace Huff in their defense, but he’s proven this year that he’s irreplaceable.
Huff has developed into a true three-down edge rusher, posting a career-high eight sacks and 60 total pressures this season. He’s gone from situational pass rusher to an every-down starter in 2023.
Huff’s production has slipped a little in recent weeks, however. After recording four or more pressures in seven of his first eight games, Huff hasn’t reached that mark in a game since Week 9.
Still, Huff remains in line for a massive payday this spring. He will have one final opportunity to prove to the Jets that he’s worth that money this Sunday.
2. Israel Abanikanda, RB, NY Jets
Israel Abanikanda will be on the Jets’ roster in 2024 — that much is pretty much certain. He’s not necessarily fighting for a roster spot on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot at stake for the rookie running back.
The Jets have elevated Abanikanda to their primary RB2 role in recent weeks, giving the rookie fifth-round pick an opportunity to prove that he can handle that role next season. To this point, the results have been shaky.
Abanikanda has shown off his speed and big-play ability, but he’s also had ball security issues and displayed plenty of inconsistencies as a runner. Right now, it’s hard to imagine the Jets trusting him with their primary backup running back job in 2024.
Abanikanda has an opportunity to make one last case for the role this Sunday, however. An impressive, mistake-free performance could go a long way toward improving his stock entering the offseason.
1. Jordan Whitehead, S, NY Jets
The Jets’ defense remains one of the best units in the NFL, with legitimate Pro Bowl-caliver players at defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, and cornerback. Their safety room, however, leaves a lot to be desired.
Jordan Whitehead exemplifies the inconsistencies shown by that unit this season. No safety in the NFL has missed more tackles than Whitehead (20) or given up more touchdowns than Whitehead (seven).
Many of the Jets’ issues at safety have been masked by stellar play from their cornerbacks, but it’s still a position the team might look to upgrade this offseason.
With Whitehead set to be a free agent, he’ll be looking to make one last impression on the team before he hits the open market. Who knows, maybe a strong final game could convince the Jets to re-sign him despite his struggles this season.
