NY Jets practice notes: Denzel Mims shows spark, Carl Lawson sets his table

Denzel Mims builds some momentum

Denzel Mims had himself a good practice on Tuesday as he attempts to climb his way up the New York Jets wide receiver depth chart.

Mims received some first-team reps as he rotated in and out with other receivers.

Denzel Mims seeing some time with the big team. Rotation early on.

Next play, Wilson took a shot deep in a non-one-v-one situation. Late, bad placement. Predetermined feel. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

Robert Saleh noted afterward that Mims has not fallen behind and is rotating throughout multiple levels of the depth chart, just as all of the wide receivers are, save for the current starting trio of Corey Davis, Keelan Cole, and Jamison Crowder.

Perhaps the Jets’ biggest highlight of Tuesday was a deep reception by Mims on a bomb from Mike White. Mims created separation one-on-one against Brandin Echols and gave White room to drop the ball in between the outside shoulder and the sideline.

Mike White with a dime down the right sideline to No. 11 who created separation 1v1. Outside shoulder, Mims gave him plenty of room between outside shoulder and sideline to make it possible. As far as verticals are concerned, Mims is more than fine.

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

Denzel Mims with a real nice deep catch from White. Beat Echols on a go. Mims’ best play of camp. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 10, 2021

It wasn’t all great for Mims, however. He dropped a pass that led to an interception.

Drops are typically not a huge issue for Mims, who only had one of them in his 2020 rookie season.

Sharrod Neasman intercepts a pass from Mike White that deflected off Denzel Mims’ hands. #Jets

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 10, 2021

Nevertheless, Saleh seemed to be happy with Mims’ performance.

Saleh on Mims: “It felt like he had a really nice practice today.” #Jets

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 10, 2021

Carl Lawson beats up Mekhi Becton yet again

Carl Lawson continues to manhandle Mekhi Becton. The young left tackle has not been able to stop the bleeding since it became apparent from day one that Lawson was a mismatch for him.

Lawson recorded three “sacks” on Tuesday. He is maximizing the unique luxury of facing the same opponent every single day, stacking moves upon moves to leave Becton thinking about a variety of different things that could be thrown at him.

Lawson has Mekhi guessing on a lot of plays. It’s what happens when a great EDGE has time, day in and out, to set his table—something they only get to do over the course of 60 or so plays in-season before it resets.

Great vs. great in this scenario usually favors the EDGE.

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

While Lawson continues to be the overwhelming victor in this duel, Becton has been showing signs of progress.

Becton with a great job on Lawson on the first play of teams. Run his way, used Lawson’s downhill path against him. Smarter, not harder. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

Another roller-coaster day for Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson continues to look like a typical highly-drafted rookie quarterback. He is not lighting the world on fire, but he is not completely lost, either.

The youngster is just going through the normal bumps of transitioning from college to the NFL, making some silly mistakes but balancing them out with flashes of the ability that made him the second overall pick.

Zach Wilson tries to find sideline, correct read, 3-step, batted down at LOS

Little later, finds lane to get to Moore 1v1 sideline. Clean, great timing.

The batted balls/deflections at LOS with Wilson is worthy of discussion until proven otherwise. Will take OL comfort/time.

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

The Jets finally saw a sign of life from their tight end room as Ryan Griffin snatched a touchdown bomb from Wilson (with Lawson again getting into the backfield).

Zach Wilson to Ryan Griffin for a long TD – but I think Carl Lawson would’ve had the “sack” before Wilson got the throw off. #Jets

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 10, 2021

Griffin’s great play was canceled out by a Chris Herndon breadbasket drop on a throw from Wilson, who made a good read and hit Herndon on the chest.

Chris Herndon with the good old breadbasket drop. Middle of field. Decent route, too. Read it well, both he and Wilson. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

Wilson closed out on a negative note as he attempted a risky throw on the move and missed short, serving up an interception for Marcus Maye.

Terrible decision by Zach Wilson to end teams. On the run, 25-30 yards out towards end zone. He can and should make this throw, but he has to miss high. Left it well short, Maye on the theft. Rusher in his face impacted things. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 10, 2021

It was a throw Wilson should have absolutely made, but the placement needed to be much different. In such a risky spot, the BYU product has to make sure he misses high in a situation such as this.

Ammendola stays hot, Naggar rebounds

Matt Ammendola followed up a solid Green & White Scrimmage with a 4-for-4 performance on Tuesday, with makes from 33, 42, 48, and 55 yards. Ammendola has made his last nine reported field goal attempts in practice dating back to Saturday’s scrimmage. His lone mishap on Saturday was a missed extra point.

Chris Naggar went 4-for-4 from the same distances. The rookie from SMU badly needed a perfect outing after missing three field goals on Saturday.

Injury updates

Wilson banged his hand on a teammate’s helmet when throwing but seems to be fine. Saleh says he “just has a little scratch.”

Robert Saleh says Zach Wilson’s hand is fine, “just has a little scratch.” Says they need to be a little more careful around the QB. #Jets

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 10, 2021

Special teams anchor Justin Hardee limped off the field with a trainer and is being evaluated for a hip strain.

Saleh says Hardee is being evaluated for a hip strain. #Jets https://t.co/TWXuRkrbbg

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 10, 2021

Alijah Vera-Tucker, Ronald Blair, Jabari Zuniga, and Bennett Jackson sat out of today’s practice. Quinnen Williams, Kyle Phillips, Ashtyn Davis, and Saquan Hampton remain on the Reserve/PUP list. Vinny Curry is on the Active/NFI list while Alex Lewis is on the Exempt list.

Speaking of Big Q, he was spotted on the field, off to the side Tuesday, doing some light work. It appeared like his speed was anywhere from 25 to 50 percent while still favoring his surgically repaired foot.

While Williams’ progress shouldn’t be described as anything abnormal, the third-year interior defensive lineman still has some time to go before he’s ready to roll at full speed.

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