New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson (82) celebrates after running a punt return back for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in overtime of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Early returns on the New York Jets 2023 draft class are less than satisfactory compared to the previous year’s.Â
Of course, judging any draft class based on the historic selection of players from the Jets 2022 class will be hard to do. A year after selecting multiple Pro Bowl or All-Pro talents in the previous year, Gang Green hoped that this current cast of players wouldn’t have to be relied on as heavily as others before them.
That certainly hasn’t been the case through the first stages of the NFL season. At the midway point of the year, multiple of New York’s 2023 class have had to hit the field in prominent roles.Â
While most have not made the kind of impact many Jets fans were hoping for, there are still some diamonds in the rough. Today, we break down which of New York’s 2023 classes have surged and struggled through the first half of the NFL season.Â
Will McDonald – Grade: C
A lot of analysts, fans, and reporters have been disappointed with the way McDonald has been used, or with his selection in general. While New York could’ve selected a wide receiver, offensive lineman, or any other position outside of consistent strength, they chose to double down at the edge rusher position.Â
After a strong preseason, it’s been a relatively quiet 2023 season for McDonald. He has just half a sack and has been a healthy scratch in several games. The team is still very high on his skillset and for good reason, but the team needs him to play more for the remainder of the year to determine just how good this pick can be seen in future years.Â
Joe Tippmann – Grade: B+
Tippmann has been a saving grace for the Jets offensive line – a group that has surprisingly been more injured than last year. Tippmann’s…
Read the full article here
