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Heading into the 2024 season, the Jets have made a series of moves to improve the state of their roster and overall depth, but are they ready to compete for a playoff spot?
In this series, we’ll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we’ll go in-depth at the special teams positions…
Projected depth chart
Starters: Kicker Greg Zuerlein, Punter Thomas Morstead, Long Snapper Thomas Hennessy
Other key contributors: Xavier Gipson, Ashtyn Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Irv Charles
Key additions/losses: Re-signed Zuerlein and Morstead. Captain Justin Hardee signed for the Browns in free agency.
Top Performers in 2023: Zuerlein made 92 percent of field goals and 94 percent of extra point attempts
2023 ranking via PFF: Zuerlein 5th out of 34 qualifying kickers
What Jets’ special teams have going for them
The Jets’ kicking game is enjoying a period of stability after several years of constant changes at the placekicker and punter positions. Re-signing both Zuerlein and Morstead, each of whom showed no signs of slowing down in their late thirties, means that this is one position the Jets won’t need to worry about – unless one of them gets injured.
The other special teams units have been strong over the past few seasons and that should continue with special teams coordinator Brant Boyer returning for an eighth season in the role.
Something to watch this year will be the new kickoff rules, which teams around the NFL believe will increase the importance of the return game in 2024.
Key concern for 2024: How will they replace Hardee’s contributions?
One move that could have wider-reaching implications for the Jets is the departure of their special teams captain Hardee. Over the past three years, he’s been the team’s best punt gunner but also made important contributions covering kickoffs and blocking on the return units.
Hardee was named as an All-Pro after the 2022 season, as he was among the league leaders in terms of special teams tackles. While his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-2024-position-breakdown-brant-130342815.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-06-09 13:03:42
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