CHARLOTTE — In last weekend’s preseason win against the Commanders, Joe Tippmann was the only Jets starter who played.
None of Gang Green’s projected starting unit, including Tippmann, participated in Saturday’s preseason game against Carolina. Thirty-one Jets players did not dress, and Tyrod Taylor, who did, was the emergency quarterback.
The Panthers rested 38 players, including starting quarterback Bryce Young and backup Andy Dalton.
With cutdown day on Aug. 27, Saturday provided another opportunity for young players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Here is the second edition of the Jets preseason stock up and stock down.
STOCK UP
WILL MCDONALD, DE
In the second quarter, on a 3rd and 12 on the Panthers’ 28-yard-line, McDonald put a spin move on Panthers tackle Ricky Lee and brought down quarterback Jack Plummer to register a six-yard sack.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the Haason Reddick situation, the Jets need McDonald to have a breakout sophomore campaign. Reddick was acquired by the Jets in late March, but he did not attend mandatory minicamp and has requested a trade after not showing up to training camp on July 23.
Last season, in a rotational role, McDonald finished with 14 tackles and three sacks. Even if Reddick does report to the Jets eventually, having a variety of pass rushers who can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks is never a bad problem to have.
BRAELON ALLEN, RB
Allen followed up his 54-yard performance against the Commanders with another standout game against the Panthers. He finished with 27 yards on eight carries. He also caught two passes for 12 yards.
If fans look at Allen’s stats, they are nothing outstanding. However, the Jets used him in short-yardage situations while Isaiah Davis started the game. This is noteworthy because Allen is a downhill runner who runs north and south through open holes.
The Jets have an excellent three-headed running back system with Breece Hall, Allen, and Davis in the backfield. That will serve them well later in the season when the weather gets colder, especially with a late-December trip to Buffalo.
BRANDON CODRINGTON, CB
To begin the second half, Codrington registered a 63-yard kickoff return that put the Jets on the Panthers’ 32-yard line. Gang Green could only mustard a 38-yard field goal by Austin Seibert.
At North Carolina Central, Codrington had experience returning both kickoffs and punt returns. He averaged 32.4 yards per kickoff return and 18.8 per punt return in four seasons for the Eagles.
It’s unlikely Codrington will make the 53-man roster, but he could be a good developmental player on the Jets’ practice squad.
STOCK DOWN
ANDREW PEASLEY, QB
Peasley had a strong performance in his first preseason game against the Commanders, but he did not continue that same play against the Panthers.
After playing just the first half, Peasley completed 7 of 11 passes for 33 yards. He also rushed for 25 yards on four rushing attempts.
Peasley faked the handoff to Allen on a 4th-and-2 play at the Panthers’ 33 but threw the ball at his feet. The pass went incomplete, and it was a turnover on down for the Jets.
Peasley also had an opportunity to give the Jets the lead late in the second quarter, but tight end Zack Kuntz couldn’t keep his feet in bounds. Gang Green had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
Peasley and Adrian Martinez are competing for the Jets’ third quarterback spot, which will likely be on the team’s practice squad. Jordan Travis, who the Jets selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is still on the active/non-football injury list as he is still healing from the leg fracture he suffered at Florida State last November.
Next week’s preseason finale against the Giants could determine who will be the Jets’ third quarterback this season.
MICHAEL CLEMONS
To begin the game, Clemons missed a tackle on Panthers running back Mike Boone. He finished the night with just one tackle. Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich told reporters earlier this week that he has liked what he has seen from Clemons and is making a case for a third-down role.
It remains to be seen if Clemons can be an every-down player, especially after also missing a tackle on a zone read against the Commanders last week.
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