Rookie safeties get star reviews

According to cornerback Morris Claiborne, rookie safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are to the Jets defense this year what Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott were to the Cowboys offense last season. Claiborne would know. Playing the last of his five seasons in Dallas last year, he had a front row seat to see the massive importance Elliott and Prescott had for the Cowboys in their first season together. He sees a lot of similarities in the lift the Jets are getting right now from their two freshmen, from the energy they bring in practice to the big plays they make on Sunday.

“Both of these guys can have the impact those guys had on the offensive side of the ball,” Claiborne said.

The two Jets rookies, selected in the first two rounds of the draft this year, have made plays all over the field and have helped to anchor a defense that lost cornerstones like Darrelle Revis, David Harris and Sheldon Richardson from last year’s team.

“You got two rookies out there in their first year and to take on the assignments that they’re taking on this season and the way they’ve been playing has been unbelievable,” Claiborne said.

GROUND GAINS

The Jets are among the most prolific running teams in the league after four weeks. Following Sunday’s monster performance by RBs Bilal Powell (163 yards, including a 75-yard TD run) and Eli McGuire (93, with a 69-yard TD), the Jets are sixth in the NFL in rushing.

The Jets are also third in the league, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

“It’s still a work in progress,” coach Todd Bowles said. “Both of those guys are going to play … We’re making progress every week.”

NOT SO SAD SACKS

Through four games, defensive linemen Mo Wilkerson and Leonard Williams have combined for zero sacks. This is not a point of concern, Bowles said, because they have opened things for linebackers to make tackles and they’ve played well against double-teams and held their own against the run.

“I’m not bothered by it,” Williams said. “It’s only four games, so there’s a long season to go. I know when they come, it’s going to come in bunches. Watching film, I’m still getting back there and the ball’s just coming out. It’s a matter of a second here or there.”

BAN OVER

WR Jalin Marshall returns this week from his four-game suspension for PEDs. Bowles said he has not made a decision yet on where he’ll fit in against the Browns.