Upon becoming a member of the Jets as an undrafted free agent final 12 months, Xavier Gipson managed to carve out a particular groups function. As his rookie season progressed, although, he additionally noticed elevated utilization as a receiver. That might have him in line for important snaps to start the 2024 marketing campaign.
Gipson served as New York’s major returner in 2023, and that function is prone to be his once more this season. The 23-year-old racked up 830 yards between his kick and punt returns, and his third-phase contributions have been in fact highlighted by his game-winning landing in Week 1. Within the latter half of the marketing campaign, Gipson grew to become an everyday on offense and that might stay the case within the fall.
Spring practices pointed to Gipson having a lead on the beginning slot receiver function over third-round rookie Malachi Corley, Brian Costello of the New York Submit writes. The latter established himself as a novel member of 2024’s extremely regarded receiver class particularly primarily based on his manufacturing after the catch. That ought to enable Corley to thrive within the slot, but when he takes time to acclimate to the professional sport Gipson may keep a first-team function. The S.F. Austin alum posted 221 yards on 29 receptions final 12 months.
That manufacturing got here from a forty five% offensive snap share, and an uptick in utilization (coupled with, in fact, a wholesome season for Aaron Rodgers) may result in a notable offensive output from Gipson. New York has Garrett Wilson atop the depth chart, and free agent signing Mike Williams will present the crew with a vertical menace. Whereas Breece Corridor is ready to shoulder a big workload within the backfield, a complementary function ought to await Gipson if he has a robust coaching camp.
The competitors for a first-team slot function will probably be value watching because the summer time unfolds. Even when Corley manages to win it, nevertheless, Gipson ought to nonetheless be capable of make an influence within the return sport. As his rookie season confirmed, a spot within the receiver pecking order can be cheap as nicely.
