New York Jets: 3 Players to watch vs. Lions in Week 1

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Sam Darnold of USC after he was picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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FLORHAM PARK, NJ – AUGUST 07: A New York Jets helmet at NY Jets Practice Facility on August 7, 2011 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

2. Nathan Shepherd

There are going to be two rookies on display in this game. One is the man who’s getting all the buzz — and we’ll get to that in the final slide — and the other in Nathan Shepherd. Nathan Shepherd has a very important task in 2018, become a fearsome defender early.

As ESPN’s Rich Cimini pointed out earlier this spring, Leonard Williams will likely be getting double-teamed a lot this season, because he’s “a marked man.”

"Williams will be a marked man, constantly drawing double-teams from opposing offenses. He’s the only impact player in the front seven, making it easier for teams to focus on him."

There’s one way to change that. Shepherd needs to step up and makes defenses play a pick your poison game with him and Williams.

That’s going to be tough, because he’s a rookie, and Williams is the veteran with a good track record. Even though it’s easier said than done, it’s not impossible. Shepherd has gotten some attention from the media this summer in his play during the preseason. That undoubtedly means that coaches are paying attention.

If Shepherd can make an impact early in this game, it may change how the Lions and rest of the league attacks this defense. The Jets want to be able to create pressure up the middle, and taking double-teams away from Williams will be a key catalyst in that, and Shepherd’s performance can also drive that.

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