Rookie Report | Pass Rushers Braiden McGregor, Leonard Taylor III Stand Out in Preseason Finale

Three of the Jets’ seven draft picks were in action Saturday when the Green & White defeated the Giants, 10-6, in their final game of the preseason. Below is a recap of how several first-year players performed.

DE Braiden McGregor & DL Leonard Taylor III (UDFAs)
The Jets duo of undrafted rookie pass rushers set the tone for a dominant evening by the Green & White’s defensive line Saturday. The team totaled 8 sacks,13 QB hits and 3 tackles for loss and allowed just 199 total yards of offense.

McGregor, who signed with the Jets out of Michigan after April’s NFL Draft, collected 2 sacks, 4 tackles, 3 QB hits and a TFL against Giants. Taylor, signed out Miami (Fla.), amassed 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits, 4 tackles and a TFL.

“[Taylor] has really come along the last couple weeks,” HC Robert Saleh said. “Obviously, he’s still a rookie, has a long way to go. But definitely over the last couple of weeks thought he’s done a really nice job.”

Mid-way through the second quarter, the Jets sacked Giants QB Tommy DeVito on three straight plays. Taylor registered a half-sack one play, and McGregor had a half-sack on the final two plays.

“I think [defensive line coach] Aaron Whitecotton does an unbelievable job with that group every year,” HC Robert Saleh said. “We feel like we’re always going to find ways to have depth and every year we’re going to have to let somebody go that’s a 53-man-roster-caliber player. But there’s some decisions to make on that front and a lot of guys made it difficult today. It was cool to watch all those guys get after it.”