WR Arian Smith & S Malachi Moore Made Splash Plays Vs. Versus New Orleans

John Pullano

Throughout the season, NewYorkJets.com will provide a Stock Report focusing on the Jets' upcoming matchup.

This week's report features players and/or themes that are trending before the Green & White take on the New England Patriots.

📈Jowon Briggs

DLJowon Briggs, acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Browns before the season, has been one of league's best interior linemen this season.

Among defensive tackles, Briggs is No. 2 in pressure rate (13.4%), No. 3 in pass-rush win rate (15.2%) and No. 5 in pass-rush grade (82.4), according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, Briggs has 4 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 10 QB hits.

"I thought that was a really good move by our scouting department to bring somebody like that in," HC Aaron Glenn said. "He's a big man, he's strong, he's able to stop the run and what he's had the tick up in is his ability to rush the passer also."

Against the Saints in Week 16, Briggs sacked QB Tyler Shough and totaled 5 pressures. Since Week 10, he is tied No. 15 among all defensive players in pressures (26) and he's No. 4 among DTs behind the Buccaneers' Vita Vea, and perennial Pro Bowlers Jeffery Simmons and Quinnen Williams.

📈Rookie Standouts

The Green & White has had several first-year players step up into prominent roles this season, and in Week 16 SMalachi Mooreand WR/special teamerArian Smithproduced splash plays versus New Orleans.

Moore, on the Saints first offensive series, reached in and ripped the ball away from the Saints' Taysom Hill on a run play. The fumble was recovered by CBQwan'tez Stiggersand set up the Jets to take an early lead, 3-0, on a 29-yard field goal by KNick Folk.

"Malachi did a hell of a job," Aaron Glenn said. "Obviously, he got the strip, that's one thing that we talked about in the team meeting, the targets that we wanted to go after, and he did a really good job of identifying that and making a play."

Moore, a fourth-round selection in last April's NFL Draft (No. 130) from Alabama, has started 12 games for the Jets this season. In 15 total games, he has 84 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass defenses and 1 fumble recovery.

Smith, another fourth-round pick (No. 110), from Georgia, has had an inconsistent role on offense, but has found his footing on special teams. Last Sunday, Smith, playing gunner, pancaked Saints returner Dante Pettis after fielding a punt from the Jets' Austin McNamara. The tackle pinned New Orleans at its own 7-yard -line.

"You've seen steady growth with [Smith] on a consistent basis when you talk about a special teams perspective," special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said. "So, him making that play, I wasn't surprised, I don't believe he was surprised, I don't think a lot of people who are in our special teams room were surprised at all in regard to that."

📈Patriots' Run Game

Much of the media coverage surrounding the New England Patriots this season has been focused on QB Drake Maye and his breakout season, and justifiably. But the last 2 weeks the Pats have been dominant on the ground averaging 162.5 yards per game.

Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson leads the team with 776 yards rushing and 8 total touchdowns (7 rushing), despite only 4 starts.

In Week 15, Henderson rushed 14 times for 148 yards, a career-high, and 2 touchdowns. In Week 15 versus the Ravens, however, he exited the game in the first quarter with a concussion. His status for Sunday's game remains in question.

Veteran tailback Rhamondre Stevenson stepped in for Henderson in Week 15 and was effective, rushing 8 times for 51 yards and a score. In 12 games, Stevenson has run for 425 yards and 4 touchdowns (3.7 yards per attempt).

"We have belief in all of our guys," Patriots HC Mike Vrabel said. "We've got to focus on this week and going on the road to a great environment, going to New York City, play the Jets and unfinished business."