Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: Which Jets player is primed for a breakout season?
EA: Breece Hall. He put together an extraordinary sophomore campaign, totaling 1,585 yards from scrimmage against all odds. A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hall returned from a torn ACL and meniscus and rushed for 994 yards while his 76 receptions and 591 yards led all backs in the NFL. He posted those numbers despite quarterback instability and an offensive line that was forced to start 13 different line combinations due to injury. Not cleared to participate in practice until late August, Hall's workload increased down the stretch as he averaged 20.8 touches the final eight games including a career-high 39 touches in a Week 18 win over the Patriots. He told reporters this spring that he's a lot leaner, healthier and his knee feels a lot better. Aiming to become an All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Hall said 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is the best in the league and sets the standard. With Aaron Rodgers returning to action, a fortified offensive line and Mike Williams getting paired with star Garrett Wilson (not to mention Tyler Conklin's potential), the healthy Hall is poised to inflict serious damage in Year 3.
EG: It's hard to quantify what a breakout season looks like for an offensive lineman, but I'm going with center Joe Tippmann. Tippmann started 14 games as a rookie last season – four at RG and 10 at center, which is where he played in college. The 2023 second-round pick out of Wisconsin improved as the season went on. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PWFA) All-Rookie team after he allowed 3 sacks throughout the season, according to Pro Football Focus. Tippmann's 71.6 offense grade ranked No. 7 among centers who took at least 50% of the snaps over the last three weeks of the season. After being able to train for one position this offseason unlike the pre-draft process, I think Tippmann is primed to help improve the Jets offensive line. Tippmann seems more confident, stronger and ready to become more of a presence in the huddle in Year 2, snapping to Aaron Rodgers
CH: While Garrett Wilson has already had back-to-back successful seasons with the Green and White, I think he is going to reach another level this season. Over the past two seasons, Wilson has caught 7 touchdowns from four different quarterbacks. Even more impressive, he's played with six quarterbacks in his two NFL seasons and has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in both. Aaron Rodgers and Wilson have obvious chemistry. Everyone saw it last year in training camp and they picked up where they left off in OTAs this year. When asked about Wilson in OTAs, Rodgers said: "I like to just temper expectations with everything, but he's got all the makings of a star receiver. We feel like if we can both stay healthy that we can accomplish a lot this year." Rodgers has played with plenty of talented receivers in the past (Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and others) and Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer, could help Wilson reach a new level of production this season.
JP: With a full season under center expected from QB Aaron Rodgers in 2024, I am circling tight end Tyler Conklin. Over his first two seasons with New York, Conklin has been a notable contributor in the pass game despite uneven quarterback play. He's accounted for 1,173 receiving yards and 119 receptions – both second most on the team over that span. In Green Bay, receiving tight ends like Conklin found success with Rodgers. In 2020, Rodgers' third MVP season, Robert Tonyan finished with 11 touchdown receptions, the fifth-most in the league and second most on the team. In 2011, Rodgers' first MVP year, Jermichael Finley had 8 touchdown catches, 12th-most in the league and third-most among TEs. In addition, last offseason Conklin said he spent time studying Finley, Tonyan and other Green Bay TEs to build familiarity with the future Hall of Famer. No doubt that in 2024 Rodgers and Conklin will rekindle the connection they had at least year's training camp and this time will get to extend it into the regular season.
