New York Jets' Stock Portfolio: Two Up, Two Down heading into Dallas
The New York Jets triumphed in the face of adversity on Monday Night Football.
There were multiple performances that powered Gang Green to an overtime win over the three-time defending AFC East champions after losing their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback four plays into the game. From undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson to veteran safety Jordan Whitehead, there are at least five or six Jets worthy of game balls.
After re-watching the game tape, I produced the weekly Jets Country Stock Report advising investors on which individual performances to buy and sell.
The decision to buy or sell has been based solely upon what I've seen thus far from the player this year with an emphasis on Week 1 production. I attempted to put reputations aside and focus upon the individuals' on-field value at this exact point in time as the team prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.
It's only one game and there are at least 16 more to go, so the Jets Country portfolio will be re-evaluated weekly.
This first report of the regular season features linebacker Quincy Williams, running back Breece Hall, left tackle Duane Brown and slot receiver Mecole Hardman.
UP: Quincy Williams, LB 📈
Fresh off a new three-year contract signed in March, the veteran linebacker was flying around against the Bills' high-octane offense to the tune of 10 tackles and a key pass break-up. He earned an 89.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Williams had no problem keeping up with Buffalo's running backs in both run and pass defense situations. He thwarted two potential touchdown drives while dropping back in coverage.
With the Bills approaching the redzone in the first quarter, the Jets' battle-tested linebacker forced the field goal unit out onto the field. On 3rd-and-15, running back Damien Harris took a short pass and cut upfield toward the first down line but Williams dropped him two yards shy of the marker.
The 27-year-old Williams delivered again in the second quarter with Buffalo holding a 10-3 and facing a 2nd-and-13 from the Jets' 23-yard line. Quarterback Josh Allen attempted to hit Cook on a wheel route down the right sideline but Williams, who was step for step with the targeted receiver, knocked away the probable TD pass. The Bills subsequently settled for a field goal.
UP: Breece Hall, RB 📈
Only 10.5 months removed from tearing his ACL, the second-year pro turned in an awe-inspiring performance in his first game action since October 23, 2022. Hall gained 147 yards from scrimmage while totaling 11 touches in the win.
The explosive second-year pro was on the field for only 31 percent of the team's offensive snaps but managed to post the second-highest individual Week 1 rushing total in the NFL. He carried 10 times for 127 yards and added one 20-yard reception.
"Excited for him. He had a couple of big runs, a big screen. He is only going to get bigger, better, and stronger," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh.
Hall exploded for a 26-yard gain on the Jets' first play from scrimmage, breaking free off left tackle and reaching a speed of 20.21 mph during the run (NFL's @NextGenStats).
The 2022 second-round draft pick flipped the field in the second quarter, ripping off an 83-yard rush that brought the ball from the Jets' 4-yard line to the opponent's 13. It was the longest play of the week in the NFL with Hall covering 100.3 yards of ground. He reached 20.54 mph on the carry, achieving the seventh-fastest speed of any player during the season-opening slate of games.
DOWN: Duane Brown, LT 📉
It appears Father Time may have caught up to the 38-year-old bookend, who entered the season with more than 10,000 career NFL snaps to his credit. Brown spent almost the entire summer on the physically unable to perform list following offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
In his first game action since last year's Week 17 loss at Seattle (he did not play in the preseason), Brown showed some rust and looked a half-step slower. He was charged with allowing four pressures per TruMedia data and was beaten by Bills' defensive end Leonard Floyd for the sack that ended Aaron Rodgers's season.
Brown, the No. 26 overall pick in 2008 NFL Draft, courageously played 12 games through pain and injury in 2022 but a full recovery may prove too large of an ask for the sixth-oldest player in the league.
READ Week 2 Injury Report: No Changes for Jets, But Cowboys Add Starter to List
DOWN: Mecole Hardman, WR 📉
In one of the more surprising developments in Week 1, the Jets' speedy slot receiver didn't receive a single rep on offense on Monday night against the Bills. Hardman, who signed a one-year free-agent contract reportedly worth $6.5 million this past offseason, saw only one special teams snap in his Gang Green debut.
"Obviously with Aaron [Rodgers], there was a certain plan that was in place, and so when Aaron went down, we shifted gears to a different style of football," said Saleh on Wednesday. "A lot of the things that Aaron wanted to do was three receiver sets and once he was out of the game, we went to a different type of offense."
Rodgers's injury is not good news for Hardman and his role in the offense moving forward. Gang Green is likely to line up with two tight ends rather than three receivers more frequently now. Should the Jets employ a run-heavy approach led by Hall and Dalvin Cook, Hardman offers little value as a blocker.
It was initially thought the Hardman would play a part in the kick return game, but that role appears to have been seized by Gipson.
READ MORE:
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Jets Ink Familiar WR to Practice Squad, Send Rodgers to IR
FA Quarterbacks Available to Reinforce Jets' Depth Chart
Cruel Mix of Emotions for Jets' Fans at MetLife Stadium
Jets Lose Rodgers But Win Season Opener in Walk-off Fashion
