For the first time this season, the New York Jets top four picks got on the field in extensive action to see what they could do. How’d that work out in Gang Green’s 30-28 victory?
Edge Will McDonald: The Jets top pick has been flashing of late, picking up a sack and a half over his previous two games. He played just 13 snaps against the Commanders with 8 of those coming as a pass rusher. He showed off his patented spin move and came away with two pressures on the 8 attempts. McDonald also lost a chance or two to the MetLife turf as his feet appeared to come out from under him once or twice.
C Joe Tippmann: Tippmann had another contest in which you could make the case he was the Jets best lineman on the day. Solid against both the run and the pass, Tippmann’s worst play of the day came on an errant snap. Other than that, another week with the Jets feeling as if they got it right with the Tippmann pick.
OT Carter Warren: After missing almost all of last season at Pitt and most of this season, expectations for Warren had to be tepid at best. Nearly two full years off before jumping on the field to learn on the job isn’t ideal. While he’s had some ups and downs through his first few starts, Sunday against the Commanders was probably his best work. Warren was solid in pass pro and got out in front as a lead blocker when the Jets ran it to the right. His 69.1 PFF pass blocking grade is his best through four starts. Limited sample size but encouraging results early on.
RB Israel Abanikanda: One of many players who should have seen the field much more this season, Abanikanda did not disappoint in his first game that wasn’t purely garbage time.
The rookie out of Pittsburgh carried the ball 9 times for 43 yards (4.8 YPC) and showed the explosiveness the Jets have been missing out of the backfield when Breece Hall isn’t on the field.
Expect big things from Abanikanda in the coming years as the rest of the Jets top four picks continue to see action.
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