Robert Saleh feels Javon Kinlaw could be positioned ‘to do something remarkable’ with the Jets.

Javon Kinlaw has made it through training camp and preseason healthy in what is a potentially major milestone for the New York Jets.

Signed by the Jets this offseason as a free agent, the 6-foot-5, 319-pound Kinlaw had 25 total tackles and a career-high 3.5 sacks in 2023 in 17 games with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a first round pick out of South Carolina in the 2020 NFL draft.

This is a potential bounceback season for Kinlaw, who ended each of the 2021 and 2022 seasons on Injured Reserve. He played in every game last year for the 49ers, but stringing together consecutive seasons of regular snaps would be important for his career.

For head coach Robert Saleh, this has been a terrific offseason for Kinlaw. “Knock on wood for him, he’s felt good all of camp,” Saleh told reporters on Saturday.

“He’s taken every single rep. He feels like he’s in a really good place both physically and mentally. And because of the fact that he’s been able to take all these reps, we’ve been able to assist him really hone in on his game. When you’re in and out of the lineup, you’re just playing, you’re not locking on a technique or anything.

To his credit, he’s found a way to get himself healthy and he’s bought into everything that we preach on the d-line with regards to technique and all that stuff. Really looking forward to watching what he does this year. I think he has a chance to do something spectacular for himself.”

‘McKinleys ain’t no quitters!’ – Takkarist McKinley had a solid performance in the Jets preseason finale
After a more ‘regular camp,’ New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sees a like-minded group

As a rookie in 2020, Kinlaw has 33 total tackles and 1.5 sacks (as well as an interception) in 14 games. Similar output alongside Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams would be important for the Jets.