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Which Jets Have Stood Out in Training Camp?

Jamal Adams, WR Corps and Rookie DL Nathan Shepherd Impressed in Early Parts of Camp

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Throughout training camp, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange, Ethan Greenberg and Olivia Landis will each give their answers to a series of questions regarding this year's camp.

Today's question: Which Jets Have Stood Out in Training Camp?

EA: Jamal Adams is the most obvious answer. He is constant motion who knows only one speed — go. Adams loves every aspect of the game and you can hear him from Madison when the Jets are on the field. The second-year safety, who changed up his diet in the offseason, appears a little bit quicker this summer. And while he is in better shape, you have to attribute most of that to his eyes are quickly diagnosing what is in front of him. Remember that scene at MetLife in Week 9 last year against the Bills when Adams and the defense were dancing during a timeout? I anticipate many more of those occasions in 2018 because this guy is going to be a catalyst for this unit and this team. He has special energy and he wants to be great.

Defense Honorable Mention: ILB Darron Lee

While the backs have been impressive and there is an interesting battle taking place at tight end, Quincy Enunwa is consistently starting to flash. Limited to individual drills during the spring, Enunwa has resumed team activities in the summer and No. 81 has been explosive. In the offseason, Enunwa was as dedicated as anyone and captured an Iron Jet award for his work in the strength & conditioning program. After missing a year of action, Enunwa again looks like a guy who is going to be a matchup nightmare. How many corners in this league will be able to handle the strength of this 6'2", 225-pounder? And I don't think you are going to want to throw a safety or 'backer on this guy because he'll just run circles around most. Josh McCown sees some Anquan Boldin in Enunwa and remember this is a target who had 58 receptions, 857 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2016. Like Adams, Enunwa is an energizer. He is a quieter guy, but the crowd feeds off his energy. I'm awfully encouraged by Q's start to camp.

Offense Honorable Mention: RB Bilal Powell

Best Snapshots from Practice No. 4 During Camp

RL: A number of veterans have looked decent but I'll go to the rookie class and say that I've been impressed with DL Nathan Shepherd. At 6'4" and 315, he's a big space eater on the D-line and he looks like he's got the athleticism to push the pocket and provide some pass rush as well. Fourth-year vet Leo Williams has noticed, too, of course, having told Shepherd, "Now that I see it, I need to see it all the time." I would hope to see Nate with his strength and physicality continue to show why he was a steal in Round 3 out of Fort Hays State.

EG: I think receivers Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse and Quincy Enunwa have all flashed at times. In terms of Anderson, you see the great speed and the ability to separate. Kearse can come down with the ball despite defenders in good position and Enunwa looks well on his way back to the ascending player we saw in 2016. It's early, so it's difficult to pinpoint a player or two, but I've been impressed with Jamal Adams. Adams has all the tools to be a force on defense and he's a man who is clearly on a mission out there. He's loud, he's fast and he could take a big step this season. Honorable mentions: TE Neal Sterling and CB Parry Nickerson.

OL: I'm going with Chad Hansen. Coming into spring ball, the second-year receiver not only looked physically different (slightly bigger, faster, etc.), but you could actually see a change in his confidence level. I know spring ball is just shorts and a t-shirt with no pads, but Hansen impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp. Let's not forget he spent time during the summer catching balls from Rams QB Jared Goff, which can only help his cause. I think Hansen is going to have an impressive season, and he's a guy to keep an eye on during training camp.

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