Jenkins impressed in daily battles with Becton
No one has seen more of rookie tackle Mekhi Becton on the Jets than veteran outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins.
The two square off daily at training camp. Jenkins schools the first-round pick on some plays and then gets swallowed up by the 6-foot-7, 370-pounder on others. What does Jenkins think of Becton?
“He’s got the tools to handle everything,” Jenkins said. “Once he mentally knows he can dominate everyone that lines up against him, it’s going to be a scary sight for people going against him.”
The Jets took Becton with the No. 11 overall pick to shore up their offensive line and protect Sam Darnold’s blindside for the next decade. Becton has had ups and downs in training camp as any rookie does, but he has put together more good days than bad.
“I think early he kind of came out the blocks great,” coach Adam Gase said. “Once we got into some of those exotic fronts, then it started getting cloudy for him.
“I think it was great for him to go through. He’s probably only going to see some of this stuff one or two times a year. He got the full gamut thrown at him this training camp. Now, we’re going back on the upward swing where all the terms are hitting him the right way. He’s able to play faster. He’s showing improvement again.”
Jenkins has been impressed by Becton.
“He’s a strong guy. For his size, he moves pretty well,” Jenkins said. “If you don’t bring it every play, you’re going to get thrown out of theclub.”
➤ The Jets and LB Avery Williamson recently agreed to restructure his contract, a source confirmed. Williamson took a pay cut from $6 million to $3.5 million with $1 million in guarantees. Williamson previously had no guaranteed money left on his three-year contract.
His salary can go up to $5 million if he hits incentives. The Jets clear $3.75 million in cap space and save $3 million in cash. For Williamson, he now has guaranteed money and won’t have to worry about his roster spot. Williamson has largely been working with the second-team defense since returning from a knee injury. If he remains a backup, this is a more
reasonable price.
The Jets now have about $34 million in salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap.
➤ The Jets released kicker Brett Maher, ending their kicker competition. Maher had been battling Sam Ficken, last year’s kicker, for the job.
The move does not necessarily mean Ficken will be the kicker against the Bills on Sept. 13. There will be a lot of player movement in the next week as team’s trim their rosters to 53 and the Jets could pick up another kicker. But, for now, Ficken is the guy.
Maher had a shaky training camp that ended with him going 2-for-4 on field goals in Sunday’s practice at MetLife Stadium. Ficken made all four of his fieldgoal attempts Sunday.
The Jets released Maher to clear a roster spot for wide receiver Donte Moncrief, who officially signed with the team Monday.
➤ The Jets claimed DB Zane Lewis off waivers from the Cardinals. Lewis is an undrafted free agent out of Air Force.