Top 5 sustained silver linings over NY Jets’ first two games

Through two games, the acquisition of Briggs is quickly turning into a steal. On just 48 defensive snaps (87th among DT), Briggs has recorded five defensive stops, tied for the fifth-most among defensive tackles.

Briggs was acquired for his run defense, but he has displayed some unexpected ability as a pass rusher, too. Briggs has recorded three pressures on 22 pass-rush snaps, including a sack and a hit against Buffalo. In fact, Briggs’ sack and hit represented the Jets’ only two takedowns of Josh Allen.

Once a team overflowing with defensive line talent, New York finds itself pining for depth across the defensive front. Previous general manager Joe Douglas allowed multiple core members of the unit to walk and failed to replace them. Douglas’ replacement, Darren Mougey, did not make significant investments into the unit’s depth during his first offseason with the team.

If Briggs keeps playing like this, the Jets may have discovered an unexpected stud to help restore their dilapidated defensive line.

3. Armand Membou’s instant formidability

Seventh-overall pick Armand Membou was fully expected to undergo growing pains as a rookie starter at right tackle. A rough slate to begin the season was only supposed to make things tougher.

Instead, Membou is already playing like one of the best tackles in the NFL. Through two games, he has earned an 81.6 overall grade at PFF, placing fourth among all tackles and second among right tackles.

While it may be a little premature to say that Membou is a top-five offensive tackle in the NFL, there is no doubt that the 21-year-old looks well ahead of schedule. Despite facing players like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Joey Bosa, and Greg Rousseau in his first two NFL games, Membou has yet to allow a sack or commit a penalty, while his run-blocking has been excellent.

The next challenge for Membou is to perform on the road. New York’s first two games were at home, which benefits offensive linemen due to the lack of opposing crowd noise to disrupt communication (although there were plenty of visiting fans in each game).

Over the next two weeks, Membou will have a chance to show that he can sustain his hot start away from MetLife Stadium. The Jets will visit Tampa Bay for the Buccaneers’ home opener this week, where Membou’s primary matchup will be Jets legend Haason Reddick. In Week 4, New York will take the Monday night spotlight in Miami.

4. Josh Myers holding the fort down

Alijah Vera-Tucker’s season-ending injury paved the way for Josh Myers to start at center. While Joe Tippmann projected to fill in nicely for Vera-Tucker at right guard, the concern was whether Myers would be a liability in the middle.

So far, Myers has avoided dragging down the Jets’ offensive line. He has yet to commit a penalty or allow a sack, and he allowed just one pressure in each of the Jets’ first two games.

Through Week 2, Myers has earned a decent 66.7 overall grade from PFF, which ranks 12th among 31 centers. In both games, Myers had grades in the mid-60s as both a pass and run blocker. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but the Jets will take that from a backup.

If Myers sustains this performance for a full season, the Jets’ offensive line can still be one of the NFL’s best despite the loss of Vera-Tucker.

5. Austin McNamara’s excellence

Second-year punter Austin McNamara looked stellar in the preseason. So far, he has carried that performance into the regular season.

Among 32 punters, McNamara ranks 10th in net yards per punt (43.6) and sixth in average hang time (4.69 seconds). Opponents are averaging just 5.5 yards when returning his punts, which ranks sixth-best.

McNamara has consistently set up his coverage team for success through his hang time and placement. If he keeps this up, he should be in New York for years to come.