New York Jets: 3 Standouts from Week 1 vs. Lions

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 10: Darron Lee #58 of the New York Jets intercepts the ball, runs it in for a touchdown in the second half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 10, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Darron Lee

Raise your hand if you though Darron Lee would make a list like this at any point this season before the season began. Ok, you can put your hand down if it’s up, because no one had that high of an expectation.

You may have wanted to see what happened last night, but no one really expected him to finally live up to being the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. After two seasons, many fans were already off the Lee train. They were ready to give up and hope that they Jets would replace him in 2019 with either a draft pick who could cover or a young veteran who could do the same. Then last night happened.

For one night — actually one half — Lee gave us a glimmer of hope. For the most part last night, the Jets ran an atypical 2-4-5 nickel package. They did blitz a lot with the linebackers, but Lee was used primarily in coverage. After an inauspicious and quiet beginning, things turned around for Lee, and he got his first career interception, and he returned it for a touchdown. Then he added another one for good measure.

Next. 2018 NFL QB Power Rankings: Week 2. dark

According to PFF, he allowed 11 receptions on 13 targets, but only allowed 70 yards. The most important stat of all was that he only allowed around 2.7 yards after the catch per reception — after allowing 7.1 on average in 2017. That shows much improved tackling in space, and to go along with the two interceptions, he has to be the standout player in this game.

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