Expectations have certainly been altered for the New York Jets' 2023 rookie class.
Nowhere has this change been more evident than with their second-round rookie.
Before the season began, Joe Tippmann was not expected to see the field at the start of his NFL career. He was behind veterans like Connor McGovern and Alijah Vera-Tucker on the depth chart, even with a surprisingly productive training camp.
Before the team had even gotten to the end of the first month of the season, though, Tippmann had not only started a game but was penciled in as a starter the rest of the way.
While some of the reasoning can be displayed in his improved play throughout the year, the big culprit as to why Tippmann has gotten so much playing time in 2023 has been the rash of injuries that the Jets have suffered along the offensive line.
Throughout the season, New York has gone through 13 different offensive linemen and 11 different combinations. The lack of continuity has been evident - especially late in the year.
It's also a fair reason to give why the team has gone through four different quarterbacks in 2023 — the same number as they did the year prior.
Safe to say, a lot has gone wrong for the Jets this season, as has been the case on numerous occasions during their active 13-year playoff drought. One silver lining though, at least for the coaching staff, has been the improved play of their rookie center.
"Tipp’s [Joe Tippmann] been awesome," said head coach Robert Saleh as the Jets prepare for their January 7 season finale against New England. "He’s improved every day. Obviously, he’s got great versatility. He can play guard, center, but his strain, his grit, his want to, his football IQ, his ability to get better every day the way he has."
The Jets have done a good job of securing starting-caliber players with their early-round draft picks in recent years. In 2022, the team had both the offensive and defensive rookies of the year from the same draft (Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner) with other standouts including Breece Hall and Jermaine Johnson also shining in their way.
The 2023 class wasn't meant to be as impactful as the previous group had been. With Aaron Rodgers in tow following an offseason of "will he, won't he?" New York was expected to improve the depth of the franchise with players like pass-rushing dynamo Will McDonald, Tippmann, and fourth-round rookie tackle Carter Warren.
McDonald has improved the more he has played (when he's been given the chance), Warren has surprised the coaching staff, and we already know just how good Tippmann has been.
Through 13 starts this season, the Wisconsin product has totaled a Pro Football Focus grade of an above-average 58.4. That score may not seem as dominant, but it doesn't take into account the lack of continuity he has played with along the line or the improved play snap-to-snap.
In total, the Jets know they have something special in their young center.
"I’m excited about his future," concluded Saleh. "I’ve said it before, he’s going to be a good one for a long time."
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