As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 21: Brandon Shell
Last year’s ranking: 24
Position: RT
Age: 26
How acquired: Selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft
Years left on contract: 2
2018 Salary Cap figure: $688,992
Looking back at 2017: Shell began to emerge at the end of the 2016 season, when he saw playing time due to injuries. He became a full-time starter in 2017 and fared pretty well.
Shell is not a dominant tackle, but he has the potential to be a long-term starter on the right side. He gave up six sacks in 2017, allowed one quarterback hit and gave up 16 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
Shell missed four games last season due to shoulder and neck injuries and a concussion. That leaves durability as a question for Shell, but it is too early to make any conclusions.
Penalties were a big problem for the Jets last year, but Shell was one of the cleanest players they had when it came to flags. He was only penalized twice all season and was not called for holding at all, a remarkable feat for a lineman.
PFF had him rated as their 44th tackle, 64th in run blocking and 38th in pass blocking.
Outlook for 2018: It is time for Shell to take the next step. Last season was his first full year as a starter. He showed a lot of promise, but the Jets hope he can now move toward being a dominant figure on their line.
The Jets’ offensive line was a disappointment last season and one of the areas they are hoping can improve this year. The Jets did not make many personnel changes (only at center), but they fired Steve Marshall and brought in Rick Dennison, hoping a scheme and coaching change can fix things.
We are only five players into our top 25, and three of the Jets’ starting offensive linemen are already off the board. That will give you an idea of what I think about the offensive line.
Shell could go a long way toward proving me wrong if he can stay healthy and make a leap in his third season.
