FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- A look at what's happening around the New York Jets:

1. Maye's day: When the Jets traded Jamal Adams, it was widely assumed Bradley McDougald -- acquired in the deal -- would step into the strong safety role. After all, he played the position with the Seattle Seahawks, so it seemed natural.

Except defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, always thinking outside the box, might have a better idea. He might give Marcus Maye, Adams' longtime tag-team partner, a shot at the gig.

A lot can happen between now and opening day on Sept. 13, but Maye, 27, has shown in early training camp practices that he can be more than a deep safety. He's doing a little of everything -- blitzing, covering and ranging sideline to sideline. He has had some fun battles with tight end Chris Herndon, breaking up passes and showing man-to-man coverage ability.

"There's nothing you can say that he doesn't do well," Jets coach Adam Gase said.

With Adams on the roster, Maye was the other safety, often lining up 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. In 2019, he was a free safety on 816 out of 1,024 snaps (80%), according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The Jets' 2017 second-round pick played in the box on 125 snaps, with nearly half of those coming in the two late-season games that Adams sat out because of an ankle injury.

Blitzing was a foreign concept for Maye, who rushed the passer four times and had zero sacks. He's big enough (6-foot, 207 pounds) and fast enough to be an effective blitzer, but does he have the instincts? That's what made Adams so good. Maye hasn't had the opportunity, so it's hard to say.

Williams likes to cross-train players at different positions in camp, so this doesn't mean Maye will be a full-time replacement for Adams. At the very least, it will make the Jets less predictable on defense by having interchangeable safeties. (McDougald played both spots in Seattle.)

"You don't know if he's [blitzing], you don't know if he's going to the middle field, you don't know if he's going to the half field, you don't know if he is going to play underneath coverage," Gase said of Maye.

Say hello to the new Marcus Maye.

2. Did you know? Maye will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. If he re-signs with the Jets, he would be only the third second-round pick since 1984 to get a fifth season with the team. The others: Linebacker David Harris (2007 to 2016) and quarterback Kellen Clemens (2006 to 2010).

A truly staggering factoid.

3. 'End' game: For a change, the Jets have legitimate hope at tight end. Herndon returns from a suspension- and injury-ruined 2019 season, Trevon Wesco is one of the team's most improved players and Ryan Griffin -- the group's leading receiver last season -- returned to practice Saturday after spending time on the physically unable to perform list as he recovered from ankle surgery.

"I love that room," Gase said.

To maximize the talent, Gase will have to dust off some of his old game plans because his recent track record as a playcaller suggests his passing game is geared more to wide receivers than tight ends.

In 2019, the Jets finished 28th in tight end receptions (44) and used the "12" personnel grouping (one RB/two TEs) on 112 snaps, 30th in the league, per ESPN Stats & Info. research. From 2016 to 2018, when he coached the Miami Dolphins, Gase's tight ends finished 32nd in receptions (150) and utilized the "12" grouping on 413 snaps, 29th.

To be fair, Gase hasn't had pass-catching threats since 2015, when he was the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator. With Martellus Bennett and Zach Miller, the Bears finished ninth in catches (91) and 13th in snaps (257) out of the "12" look. As the Denver Broncos' coordinator in 2013 and 2014, Gase, with the dangerous Julius Thomas, ranked tied for ninth in catches (164) and 14th in two-tight-end snaps (443).

If the Jets' tight ends turn out to be the strength of the offense, it's on Gase to get them on the field as much as possible. The versatile Wesco also has the ability to line up in the backfield, which creates a wrinkle.

4. Yannick update: Despite the rumors, sources say the Jets aren't going to trade a premium asset and pay defensive end Yannick Ngakoue a $17.9 million salary in 2020 -- the amount of his unsigned franchise tender with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It wouldn't make any sense for a potential one-year rental.

Me? I'd consider it if Jacksonville pays a chunk of his salary and deals him for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 fifth-rounder -- i.e. the Leonard Williams deal. But if you're going down that road, the better option would be Jadeveon Clowney. Because he's a free agent, it would be straight money, no trade compensation.

In case you're wondering, I don't think the Jets are interested in Clowney, either.

5. Fantasy alert: Slot receiver Jamison Crowder made a career-high 78 receptions last season. Now that he has had a year in the system, his total should exceed 90, according to receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. Can he do it? Sure, if he has another 14-catch game, like he did in Week 1.

6. Pitcher to catcher: The injuries and lack of depth at wide receiver have created a great opportunity for Jeff Smith, a former undrafted free agent who appeared in one game last season as a rookie and caught one pass before an ankle injury. Smith has an interesting background because he began his college career as a quarterback for Boston College. In fact, he was an all-state quarterback at Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, Florida.

Smith struggled at BC, completing 27 of 82 passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, so he was moved to receiver as a sophomore. His 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash might have had something to do with it, too.

By default, Smith is practicing with the Jets' starting unit, but he has made some plays. No doubt, his development was hurt by the cancellation of offseason practices, but his skill set intrigues the Jets' coaches. Offensive assistant Hines Ward, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star, said Smith needs to work on the mental side of the game. Ward said Smith puts too much pressure on himself, resulting in bad body language.

In the past, the Jets have succeeded with former college quarterbacks. Remember Brad Smith, the receiver/kick returner in the late 2000s? Their most celebrated conversion was Tim Tebow in 2012, but, quite honestly, I still don't know what they tried to do with him.

6a.: Little-known fact: Ward played quarterback one season at the University of Georgia and passed for 413 yards in the Peach Bowl.

7. Hurting rookies: Three members of the Jets' nine-man draft class have yet to step on the field, and another hasn't returned after getting hurt on Day 2. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. I suspect the lack of a structured offseason conditioning program is affecting most players, especially rookies, who were left to train on their own with only remote supervision from the team.

Wide receiver Denzel Mims (hamstring), defensive end Jabari Zuniga (quadriceps) and cornerback Bryce Hall (reserve/COVID-19 list) still haven't participated in practice. Zuniga dealt with injuries in college, so it's fair to raise an eyebrow. Hall still is recovering from a college ankle injury, which required surgery. Once he is removed from the COVID-19 list, he still won't be healthy enough to practice. Mims should be returning in the coming days and will have to play serious catch-up.

Let's not forget about guard Cameron Clark (shoulder), who got hurt after extending his arm in a drill and is listed as week-to-week.

Such is life in the new normal.

8. The last word: "[The Jets are] a team that I watched growing up. I'm a big fan of the history here and Joe [Namath], and, obviously, Wayne Chrebet, someone I've always looked up to and admired when I started playing this game." -- newly signed wide receiver Chris Hogan, born in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and a graduate of Ramapo High School, 35 miles from the Jets' facility.