The New York Jets season has not started the way the organization hoped but Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are immediately getting it done.
The start of the 2017 season hasn’t gotten off on the right foot for the New York Jets. Gang Green has lost their first two games and has been outscored 66-32 in those contests.
When a team isn’t doing well, it’s very easy to point out the areas that need improvement. However, lost in the Jets’ struggles is the encouraging play from their young safety tandem.
Hey, it’s time a positive is discussed. Let’s forget about that dark cloud circulating Florham Park, New Jersey for the time being.
The Jets were in need of secondary help and looked to the NFL Draft to help fill the vacancy. With their first two picks, they selected Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, two of the most talented safety prospects in the draft class.
When they drafted Adams and Maye, the hope was that they would develop into a formidable duo over time. Luckily for the Jets, it didn’t take long for them to make their impact in the NFL.
After impressing the Jets’ coaching staff during training camp, Adams and Maye were named the team’s starting safeties. In limited action, both players have shown why the organization believes they have bright futures ahead.
PFF gave #Jets S Jamal Adams an 83.0 grade, and Marcus Maye an 81.4 grade.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 18, 2017
Adams and Maye were both very impressive in the Jets’ loss to the Oakland Raiders. In Week 2, both players ranked among the top 12 graded safeties, according to Pro Football Focus.
A positive takeaway from the #Jets game. The play of Jamal Adams: 55 snaps, 0 missed tackles. 27 coverage snaps. 0 targets.
— John Gatta (@PFF_JohnGatta) September 18, 2017
Jamal Adams has shown why he was worthy of being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. His 83.0 grade on Sunday ranked 8th among all NFL safeties and he was very good against both the run and in coverage.
Adams had four tackles (three solo) against the Raiders and did not miss any tackles over his 55 snaps. The Raiders didn’t test the young safety, as he was not targeted over his 27 snaps in coverage.
After struggling a bit in Week 1, Maye was very good in his second NFL game. His 81.4 overall grade on Sunday ranked as the 12th-best among his position.
Like Adams, Maye played 55 snaps on defense. He led the team with seven tackles (six solo) and also did not miss a tackle.
Unlike Adams, Maye got work in coverage. The former Florida Gator was solid, as he allowed just one catch for 16 total yards over 28 coverage snaps. Maye was very good in coverage situations, which is definitely promising for Gang Green.
The early-season play of Adams and Maye is very encouraging for the Jets. Of course, it’s just two games into the season, but it’s very promising to see how well they have both started their NFL careers.
In a season that has had a lot of negatives thus far, the rookies are a bright spot that can give fans some hope for the future of the franchise.
