New York Jets: 3 Players with rising stock entering Preseason Week 3
There appears to be a great deal of optimism coming from New York Jets camp these days. Here are three players with rising stock as the regular season draws closer.
The 2019 NFL regular season is just around the corner. The New York Jets will have their annual dress rehearsal game, the third game of the exhibition slate, Saturday evening against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Starters on both sides of the ball are expected to play into the second quarter, perhaps the entire first half.
Gang Green is 1-1 as they welcome in Drew Brees and company. So far there has been a lot of optimism in Jets camp as they try to forget the brutal Todd Bowles era and move forward under new head coach Adam Gase. With that being said, let’s take a look at three Jets players with rising stock, a bull market if you will, right now.
3. Sam Darnold, QB
The USC product continues to make strides following his excellent last quarter of the 2018 campaign (six touchdown passes, one interception). It’s just preseason but Sam Darnold has looked poised and accurate in two games so far (9-for-12, 114 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions).
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The 6-3, 225-pounder has also made a pair of intermediate throws in very tight windows, something he did a scant four times last year. That’s significant because real franchise signal-callers can make that throw and Darnold sure looks like a franchise quarterback these days.
If he can remain healthy, his ceiling is extremely high. Darnold steps up in the pocket very well under pressure and his stock continues to rise as the season opener against Buffalo (Sept. 8) draws closer.
2. Ty Montgomery, RB
Le’Veon Bell will be, pardon the pun, the bell cow running back but Ty Montgomery was a very smart signing by the Jets. The former Packer and Raven will be a hybrid running back/wide receiver this season and may even get a snap or two at tight end while Chris Herndon is suspended.
Montgomery has looked sharp this summer as he paces the club in rushing yards and owns a 4.9 yards per carry average in 42 career regular-season contests. He’s also an excellent receiver (107 career receptions) and can pick up the blitz effectively. Montgomery will be an important component in New York’s offensive attack this season.
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1. Deontay Burnett, WR
The lanky wide receiver saw some action down the stretch in 2018 (10-143-0) and has a real opportunity to make the final 53-man roster. The former USC Trojan has caught six of his seven targets this preseason for 36 yards and a touchdown.
His stock is on the rise and he could wind up being fourth on the depth chart behind Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder.