By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The Jets held their 3-day rookie minicamp this week. Here are the big takeaways, including tidbits on John Morton and Jamal Adams.
Reviewing the Jets 3-day rookie minicamp
A caution label should be placed above any rookie minicamp observation, takeaway or attempt at analysis. These workouts consist of a handful of draft picks, a few undrafted free agents, and a ton of tryout players running around on a field two hours a day for three days.
Most of these guys won't have jobs in two or three weeks. The draft picks should look good. They're going up against an extremely low level of competition.
But this is the first football activity since December. So here are a few big-picture takeaways from the two camp practices open to the media.
Jamal Adams is undoubtedly talented
It was near impossible to watch rookie minicamp and not notice safety Jamal Adams. He was the best player on the field — and it wasn't close — whenever he was on the field. He made a tremendous play on a pass to tight end Jordan Leggett on Friday.
Leggett broke towards the sideline. Once Adams saw Leggett commit, he fired and broke underneath the route to bat the pass away. It was very impressive.
Adams' speed particularly stood out. He's unbelievably fast for a safety. The Jets could have a good one on their hands.
Kevin Greene bringing fire to Jets' defense
Dylan Donahue seems to have some ability
Of all positions at rookie minicamp, there's no harder spot to analyze than pass rusher. The Jets didn't draft a single offensive lineman. Guys like linebacker Dylan Donahue (fifth-round pick) are going up against tryout players who won't be employed in a week.
With that said, Donahue looked good, especially Saturday. He had a pair of sacks using first a speed rush, then a power move. The Jets have Lorenzo Mauldin and Jordan Jenkins penciled in as their starters at linebacker. If Donahue plays better than either during camp, he can push for playing time.
Lot to like about the young receivers
And not just ArDarius Stewart (third round) and Chad Hansen (fourth round). Undrafted rookie Brisly Estime looks really elusive as a returner.
With Brandon Marshall gone, and Eric Decker working his way back from offseason hip and shoulder surgeries, these young receivers have an opportunity to step in and play right away. Don't be surprised if they do.
Of the three, Stewart looks the most pro-ready. He had a good couple of days.
Dylan Donahue ready to show 31 other teams what they missed
Jordan Leggett needs some work
Jordan Leggett is a massive, massive man. He's every bit of his 6-5, 258-pound listing. But he needs some work. The physical ability is there, but his technique needs fine-tuning. Leggett dropped a handful of easy passes in the two practices open to the media. His route running was rough.
The Jets have an opening at tight end, especially with Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspension. If Leggett can develop, he could be the starter Week 1.
Jeremy Clark, Derrick Jones are really tall
Todd Bowles loves big, physical cornerbacks. He has two in Derrick Jones (6-2) and Jeremy Clark (6-3). Having seen them in person, both guys are massive. They can probably afford to gain a few pounds — they're lanky — but the size is definitely something you don't see often from cornerbacks.
All Jets need to earn their playing time, according to Bowles
John Morton is much more fiery than Chan Gailey
Chan Gailey drove Jets fans nuts last year with his sometimes cavalier attitude. He had a calm, southern accent. He never got too high, never got too low. None of this is bad, but sometimes it can be frustrating when there's a serious lack of production.
John Morton is nothing like that. He's a mad man.
Morton clearly rules with an iron fist, but also a warm heart. He jumped on the back of any player who messed up, but would then pull them aside and help them improve. He also never shied away from letting guys know if they were doing it right.
Again, this was just rookie minicamp. Morton could have an entirely different approach with accomplished veterans. We'll see. It's worth monitoring.
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