Top five most valuable people for New York Jets in 2024

After the first season of the Aaron Rodgers era failed miserably, the pressure is on for the New York Jets to turn things around in 2024. While they aren't exactly off to the best start on this front following edge-rusher Haason Reddick's trade request , the Jets have the personnel to make plenty of noise this season.

Here are the franchise's five most valuable people for 2024:

5. Linebacker Quincy Williams

A former waiver claim, Williams — the brother of Jets star DT Quinnen Williams — made a name for himself in 2023 but somehow still remains one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL. Last season, the 27-year-old stuffed the stat sheet, racking up a career-high 139 tackles, 15 for loss, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception.

While Quincy's efforts were good enough to earn a first-team All-Pro selection and be named the Jets 2023 Curtis Martin Team MVP, he wasn't voted into the Pro Bowl Games. Some executives and coaches are still overlooking Quincy, given that he failed to crack ESPN's top 10 list of off-ball linebackers . Even so, Quincy's peers recognize his talent, as he was named the No. 32 player in the NFL's Top-100 list.

If he can put together another strong season, Quincy should receive the credit he has long deserved.

4. Running back Breece Hall

In an age where most teams lean on a running back-by-committee approach, Hall is one of the few true workhorse tailbacks left in the NFL. The 2022 second-round pick made an immediate impact for the Jets as a rookie, totaling 681 yards and five touchdowns in his first seven games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. At the time of his injury, Hall ranked fifth among running backs in receiving yards per game ( 31.1 ) and second in yards per touch ( 6.88 ).

Hall returned to the field for last season's opener against Buffalo, and while he dealt with some inconsistencies throughout 2023, he still finished with the fourth-most yards from scrimmage in the NFL (1,585) and scored nine touchdowns. Hall's strong finish to 2023 provides optimism for his outlook this season, as he amassed 507 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns over his final three games. With a revamped offensive line and perhaps the biggest quarterback upgrade a team could ask for, Hall could garner Offensive Player of the Year votes in 2024.

3. Cornerback Sauce Gardner

Since being drafted fourth overall in 2022, Gardner has arguably been the NFL's top cornerback and one of the driving forces behind the Jets allowing the second-fewest passing yards over the last two seasons ( 6,708 ). Considering he's the first cornerback since the AFL/NFL merger to be named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in each of his first two seasons, it's fair to say Gardner is on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory.

As pointed out by Pro Football Focus' John Kosko , Gardner, who has 31 career pass breakups, has allowed just 0.53 yards per coverage snap since 2022, the best mark among all cornerbacks. However, Gardner's dominance in coverage has led to opposing quarterbacks holding him in high regard and, in turn, targeting him less frequently. As a result, Gardner only has two career interceptions, both of which came during his Defensive Rookie of the Year-winning season.

Entering 2024, Jets HC Robert Saleh is pushing Gardner to pick off more passes, particularly since the two-time Pro bowler dropped a couple of easy interceptions last season. Gardner appears up to the challenge, and if he's successful, New York's elite defense could reach an even greater level this season.

2. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams

With future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald now retired, Quinnen has the chance to establish himself as the new best defensive tackle in the NFL this season. The Alabama product wasn't particularly dominant across his first three seasons, but he has developed into one of the top interior forces the league has to offer over the last two seasons.

Since 2022, Quinnen has generated 122 pressures, the third-most among defensive tackles behind only Kansas City's Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence II of the Giants. In that span, the two-time Pro Bowler has also collected 117 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Quinnen's stellar production is all the more impressive, considering he's routinely double-teamed by opposing offensive linemen. In fact, Quinnen drew a 70% double-team rate in 2023 and still managed to post a 15% pass rush win rate, the eighth-highest among defensive tackles.

1. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers, 40, is coming off an Achilles tear, which he suffered four snaps into his Jets regular season debut. The Jets don't need him to return to MVP-caliber form, but if they're going to snap the longest active playoff drought in North American sports ( 13 seasons ), they'll need Rodgers to be competent and effective. After all, the team still managed to win seven games in each of the last two seasons despite having a revolving door of lousy options at quarterback.

It's not easy to place expectations on Rodgers, especially since his last full season, 2022, was considered one of the worst of his career. The four-time MVP threw for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, though it's worth noting he played most of the year with a broken thumb. Even if Rodgers' 2024 production is similar to his 2022 totals, New York would surely take it, given that his 2022 output would've ranked fifth in Jets single-season history in passing yards and third in touchdowns.

With the experience and leadership he brings, Rodgers — the career leader in touchdown-to-interceptions ratio ( 4.52 ) — is much more than just a quarterback for New York. When speaking to reporters during a July training camp practice session, Saleh described Rodgers as “a coach on the field” because of how he holds his teammates to his high standards.

As long as he stays healthy, Rodgers is well-equipped to lead the Jets back to the postseason and perhaps even on a deep playoff run.