The 2022 draft class for the New York Jets is already off to a strong start thanks to two of their three first-round picks, CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson, winning Rookies of the Year, marking the first time players from the same team claimed both awards.
The Jets hope their 2022 rookie class continues to take steps forward in 2023. One of those players is being viewed by Pro Football Focus as a potential breakout candidate this season.
PFF’s Jim Wyman recently came up with an All-Breakout team for 2023, players that can become household names this season. Among the players on the team is New York’s fourth-round pick from last season, defensive end Micheal Clemons.
Here’s what Wyman wrote about Clemons:
As a rookie fourth-rounder in 2022, Clemons didn’t start a single game but was effective when he did appear on the field. While not a finished product as a pass-rusher, as his 58.6 pass-rush grade can attest to, Clemons was very stout as a run defender, putting up an 86.4 run-defense grade and an 81.5 tackling grade. If Clemons can add some more pass-rush moves to his repertoire, he could form a dangerous edge trio alongside Jermaine Johnson II and Carl Lawson.
Clemons recorded 2.5 sacks as a rookie while playing in all 16 games as a rookie. He and Johnson could be set for bigger roles this season, even with Lawson sticking around and the Jets drafting Will McDonald in the first round this past April.
The top of the Jets’ 2022 class is already fun to watch. Clemons is hoping to add even more fun throughout the class.
