The Leftovers - Preseason 2017 (Pt. 4)
During preseason we've been looking across the other rosters around the league at how some of the players who've been on the Jets roster over the past couple of seasons are faring. This will enable us to get an early idea about whether letting these players go was a mistake or a well-timed move.
Ahead of today's final preseason games, let's check in on how those ex-Jets to have played in preseason so far are getting on.
We'll start with the highest profile players and work our way down the list:
Ryan Fitzpatrick - QB - Tampa Bay
On the face of it, Fitzpatrick didn't fare too badly in Tampa's 13-9 loss to the Browns, completing 7-of-11 passes for 55 yards. However, he lost a fumble and was almost intercepted by a dropping lineman on a dump-off pass. It's been a poor preseason for Fitzpatrick so far, but the Bucs will be counting on Jameis Winston to start 16 games anyway.
Brandon Marshall - WR - New York Giants
Marshall missed the Jets game with a shoulder injury. He hasn't really made any contributions yet in preseason, so it will be interesting to see if he will hit the ground running when the real games start.
Eric Decker - WR - Tennessee
Decker also missed this week's game due to an ankle issue. Like Marshall, he's done nothing so far this preseason.
David Harris - LB - New England
Harris got the start and had a productive performance against the Lions, leading the Patriots with five tackles and a quarterback hit. He had one bad play though, taking a bad angle out to the flat and not getting out in time to prevent an 18-yard catch and run by Ameer Abdullah.
Breno Giacomini - OT - Houston
Against the Saints, Giacomini got the start at right tackle once again but really struggled with Harvey Langi and Cameron Jordan in pass protection as the Texans were shut out. With Chris Clark injured and Duane Brown holding out, Giacomini might end up starting on opening day, but he doesn't appear to be their first choice. The Texans' fourth preseason game has been cancelled so their preseason is over.
Calvin Pryor - S - Cleveland
Pryor remains stuck in a reserve role with the Browns and he had a couple of penalties in the Bucs game, including one on special teams. He had one tackle and a sack that was negated by a penalty.
Marcus Gilchrist - S - Houston
Gilchrist, like Pryor, is stuck on the second unit. He didn't contribute much in the Saints game and was unable to get over in time to prevent a 31-yard pass to Brandon Coleman down the sideline. The Texans' fourth preseason game has been cancelled so their preseason is over.
Nick Folk - K - Tampa Bay
Folk had a nice bounce-back in the Browns game, nailing all three of his field goals attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards. The job is his now that they've got rid of Roberto Aguayo.
Geno Smith - QB - New York Giants
Smith looked poor against the Jets, completing just 5-of-10 passes for 51 yards. That included a wobbly third down throw under pressure that was plucked out of the air by his receiver, who made it to the marker. At this stage, it's not clear where the three back-ups (Smith, Josh Johnson and rookie Davis Webb) stand behind Eli Manning.
Jarvis Jenkins - DL - Kansas City
Jenkins continues to be a decent reserve for the Chiefs, providing consistent contributions. In Friday night's game in Seattle, he had two tackles, including a run stuff at the line of scrimmage. He also had a quarterback hit and a pressure, but missed a tackle as well.
Mike Catapano - OLB - Houston
Catapano was signed by the Texans last week and only played a couple of series. He was blocked out of a running play but created some pressure with a bull rush. He was also called for holding on a special teams play. The Texans' fourth preseason game has been cancelled so their preseason is over.
Jeremy Ross - WR - Arizona
Ross has had a pretty good preseason for Arizona and he contributed again here with a 16-yard catch and two kick-off returns for 50 yards. However, his four punt returns netted just four yards. Could the Jets consider Ross for their return role if he gets cut?
Brandon Wilds - RB - Cleveland
Wilds did not play in the third preseason game and is considered a long-shot to make the roster.
Braedon Bowman - TE - New Orleans
On his only target, Bowman made a nice catch down the seam and then broke a tackle for a 34-yard gain down to the one-yard line, but it was negated by a penalty. He had a couple of good run blocks, although he missed his block on a play where his man almost made a tackle in the backfield.
Donald Hawkins - OL - Kansas City
Hawkins is continuing to have a tough preseason. He was only in for a couple of series on Friday night but was flagged twice - for a false start and illegal use of the hands - and beaten once in pass protection.
Troymaine Pope - RB - Indianapolis
Pope did not play in the third preseason game for the Colts. He's in contention for the fourth running back role, but the Colts just added another former Jet in Daryl Richardson that could challenge for that spot.
KD Cannon - WR - Los Angeles Rams
Cannon still hasn't had a chance to play on offense yet for the Rams. Maybe he'll get his shot tonight.
Austin Calitro - LB - San Francisco
Calitro has had a decent preseason for the 49ers and has certainly contributed more than fellow undrafted rookie Connor Harris has for the Jets. He had two tackles and a quarterback hit on Monday night. However, he missed his tackle on this touchdown:
Devin Street - WR - Houston
Street was already waived/injured last week.
Bruce Ellington - WR - Houston
Ellington started once again for the Texans and caught another four passes, albeit for only 29 yards. He wasn't used on returns. The Texans' fourth preseason game has been cancelled so their preseason is over.
Jordan Todman - RB/KR - Houston
Todman had a couple of nice plays in this game - an eight yard run and a seven yard reception. However, he was also stuffed for a five yard loss and ended up with just 15 yards on his five touches. He returned two kick-offs for 52 yards.
Jace Amaro - TE - Tennessee
Amaro is in a battle to make the roster and wasn't targeted in a reserve role this week. He missed one run block.
Trevor Reilly - OLB - Miami
Miami hasn't played since our last update. Reilly has been good on special teams so far, but has had mixed results in his conversion to an off-ball role on defense.
Tommy Bohanon - FB - Jacksonville
The Jaguars also haven't played since our last update.
Jarvis Harrison - OL - Tampa Bay
Harrison worked on the second unit where he missed a couple of run blocks and got beaten once for a pressure in pass protection. He is still listed as on the third unit.
Wes Saxton - TE - Buffalo
Saxton still doesn't have a reception or even a target in preseason. He only played a handful of snaps against the Ravens and had one play where he missed on a pulling block and his man stuffed the run for no gain.
Darryl Morris - CB - Indianapolis
Morris was already placed on injured reserve last week.
Jeremy Butler - WR - Buffalo
Butler still hasn't played yet for the Bills.
Raheem Mostert - RB - San Francisco
Mostert had a huge game on Monday night, starting off with an 87-yard touchdown on a dump-off pass that saw him cut back across the field and break a tackle to go the distance. He would later add 17 more on a dump-off pass and then had another 17-yard gain on a nifty run before finishing off the drive with another touchdown from four yards.
He ended up with four carries for 26 yards and a touchdown with two catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Darius Jennings - WR - Tennessee
Jennings had a couple of first down catches over the middle, netting 35 yards, and also had a good block on a screen pass against the Bears. He remains a long-shot for the Titans.
Kyle Friend - OL - Pittsburgh
Friend saw action with the third unit against the Colts and did well on a couple of double team run blocks. He also managed to avoid giving up any pressure in pass protection.
Jesse Davis - OL - Miami
Miami hasn't played since our last update. Davis has been struggling, although he's started two games.
Lawrence Okoye - DL - Miami
As noted above, Miami hasn't played since our last update.
Mike Liedtke - OL - Tampa Bay
Liedtke remains listed on the third unit but saw action with the second unit against the Browns. He gave up a sack and a pressure in pass protection but fared well as a run blocker.
Bernard Pierce - RB - Denver
Pierce was already released last week, having not played in preseason.
Shelby Harris - DL - Denver
Harris has been a revelation this preseason, but if he's "the one that got away" at least he plays a position that the Jets already have covered.
After two strong games to start with, he was even better this week, earning PFF's game ball:
Jerome Cunningham - TE - Tennessee
Cunningham played just two snaps for the Titans against the Bears. He hasn't been targeted yet in preseason.
Sean Hickey - OL - Miami
Miami hasn't played since our most recent update.
Titus Davis - WR - Chicago
Davis had his best game so far with three catches for 38 yards off the bench. However, he dropped his other target.
Dane Evans - QB - Philadelphia
The Eagles haven't played since our most recent update.
Barrett Gouger - OL - Los Angeles Chargers
Gouger made his debut off the bench and he didn't do too badly although he had a holding penalty on a running play.
Keevan Lucas - WR - Philadelphia
The Eagles haven't played since our most recent update.
Darius Victor - RB - New Orleans
Finally, Victor hurt his roster chances this week when he lost a fumble, but he did rush for 30 yards on eight carries, including this touchdown:
Of course there are still several recent departures who aren't currently with a team, such as Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis. We'll add these to the list if they get a deal.