New York Jets Stock Watch: Risers and fallers following 15-12 victory against the Carolina Panthers

The New York Jets won their second preseason game 15-12 against the Carolina Panthers.  It was a game full of field goals for both teams, with Panthers only punching in a meaningless touchdown as time expired.

This was obviously a game set up for the coaching staff to evaluate the bottom half of the roster. Pretty much every starter didn’t suit up for New York, and even a lot of backups like Tyrod Taylor didn’t see the field.

So with that being said, lets take a look at how some of the Jets players fared.

Three Players Who Hurt Themselves

Andrew Peasley, QB

When I watched Peasley the thing that stood out to me more than anything was the throws he didn’t make. He played like he was afraid. He bailed on the pocket way too soon and was far more willing to use his legs than his arm whether a receiver was open or not.

When he did throw the ball, it was in the vicinity of receivers but not necessarily on target. He missed a few easy throws for first downs including one to Braelon Allen. He also missed a throw on what would have been a touchdown to second year tight end Zack Kuntz, leading him out of bounds in the end zone when he was wide open.

At the end of the day, Peasley finished the game 7 for 11 for only 33 yards but he left a lot of yards on the field. His only saving grace was the up and down game for Martinez.

Olu Fashanu, OT

While Fashanu was pretty impressive in his first game with the Jets against the Washington Commanders last week, he played predominantly at right tackle against the Panthers and he struggled. Aside from being called for a holding penalty, he was over matched often as he tried to get his legs under him.

This was my fear with Fashanu when the Jets drafted him. He has only played left tackle in his career and the transition to right tackle is not as easy as many believe. He still has a long way to go if the Jets need him to start on the right side at all this year.

Jaylen Key, S

Mr. Irrelevant from the past year is playing like his namesake. In a year with so much excitement surrounding Quan’tez Stiggers and Jarrick Bernard-Converse is playing so well, you would hope to see Key making a leap as well in the defensive backfield. But Key looks lost for the most part and is constantly trailing the play and missing tackles. The last thing you want to see from a safety is him chasing the play.

Key is likely on the roster bubble, and I doubt he did anything tonight to help his case to make the roster. He may be headed for the practice squad.

Three Players Who Helped Themselves

Isaiah Davis, RB

Braelon Allen has cemented himself as the back-up running back to Breece Hall. Davis has likely earned the third running back spot on the roster. Davis runs like he was shot out of a cannon. The numbers weren’t sexy for Davis today, but anyone who watched the game saw a player that can handle work in the NFL.

Davis started training camp slowly and may have been working to make the practice squad. But he has come on lately as running back and can handle return duty as well. With Xavier Gipson still hurt, he is certainly getting a good look by the coaches.

WIll McDonald, Edge

If you can get to the quarterback, you will always have a role on any team. McDonald might not alleviate the absence of Haason Reddick or even Bryce Huff, but he is getting better and can still do what they drafted him to do – sack the QB.

McDonald still has a long way to go before he can be a three-down defensive edge, but he can certainly play a lot when the team has a lead and on third downs. McDonald got a sack on a third down pass play and ended the Panthers drive.

Brandon Codrington, KR

Codrington is lightning in a bottle as returner.  The little known UDFA rookie out of NC State had a kick return of 63 yards and two punt returns for 46 yards, including a 31 yarder.  With Gipson still out with an injury, he may be coming back to backup return duty.

With the new kick off rules in the NFL, the returner is going to major X-factor in games this season and the Jets may have found theirs.  Robert Saleh believes that the returners will be an important part of teams this season and Codrington can certainly turn a game around with his speed.