Robert Saleh has coached rookies who need a little time to realize they can play in the NFL.
“Usually with rookies, the first game they’ve got big eyes,” Saleh said Monday. “I remember I had a rookie in San Francisco make a tackle on a big-name player and he was like, ‘Man, I just tackled so-and-so.’ It was like, ‘No, he just got tackled by you,’ just trying to teach them that they belong.”
Saleh has had to give no such lessons to this year’s Jets rookie class.
“This group, it hasn’t been too big for them,” the Jets coach said. “They’ve rolled right in.”
It was clear after the NFL draft in the spring that the Jets had really done well. They walked away with players many considered to be the best cornerback in Sauce Gardner, the best wide receiver in Garrett Wilson and the best running back in Breece Hall. You could then add Jermaine Johnson, one of the top edge rushers. But the Jets’ rookie class has had a quicker impact than anyone could have expected.
Sauce Gardner celebrates during the Jets’ win over the Dolphins. USA TODAY Sports
There has been no rookie learning curve and it seems like each of them are having an impact every week. On Sunday, it was Gardner and Hall who stole the show. In Week 2 in Cleveland, it was Hall. Johnson has flown under the radar a bit more than the other three, but he has 1.5 sacks and 12 tackles, too.
“Shout-out to [general manager] Joe Douglas and Saleh,” veteran cornerback D.J. Reed said. “They’ve been sensational. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this where guys that are drafted are making this much of an impact so soon. Obviously, you look at Sauce and he’s playing at a Pro Bowl, All-Pro level. You look at Breece. You look at Garrett. You look at Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, you look at everybody and they’re playing at a very high level. It’s really exciting to see.”
Gardner was remarkable against the Dolphins. He opened the game with a blitz and knocked Teddy Bridgewater out of the game with his hit in the end zone that resulted in a safety. He later grabbed an interception and he was sticky in coverage all day. Pro Football Focus had him at a 34.2 passer rating allowed in coverage, which is less than if a quarterback threw an incompletion on every target.
The amazing thing is Gardner may not have been the best rookie in the game for the Jets. Hall had 197 yards from scrimmage. He became one of four rookies since the merger to record at least 100 receiving yards, 80 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in a game. The others are Alvin Kamara, Joey Galloway and Herschel Walker.
Breece Hall rushes during the Jets’ win over the Dolphins. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Garrett Wilson runs with the ball during the Jets’ win over the Dolphins. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
“As a group, this is one of the best rookie classes, and maybe the best, that I’ve ever been around,” veteran wide receiver Braxton Berrios said. “They come to work every day. They do everything right. They prepare the right way. Obviously, they are kind of years beyond their age as far as a football sense. They just continue to improve. They’re making the plays when they get the opportunity and I’m looking forward to watching them develop the rest of the year. They’ve been incredible.”
Wilson had a quiet day on Sunday but he leads the team with 23 receptions, is tied for the lead with two receiving touchdowns and is second with 282 receiving yards.
As exciting as the start has been for the rookie class, Saleh said they have plenty of room for improvement.
“They still have a long way to go, too. That’s what’s exciting about it,” Saleh said. “I’m being honest with everybody. They’re doing very well but I really, in my heart, believe they haven’t even scratched the surface of where they’re going to go as long as they continue that mindset, that selflessness they all have and that grind to continue to find ways to get better. It’s going to be a special group.”