Jets' kids are more than just all right, they're outstanding!

The kids have grown up very quickly.

Robert Saleh anticipated some “hair-pulling moments” from the Jets’ rookies this season, but even he didn’t know the impact they would have.

“If I had hair, I’d pull them out,” Saleh said before Week 1. “But you’re also going to have some ‘wow’ moments.”

The Jets’ young guys have produced way more wow than woe.

Cornerback Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, before he was injured, have been part of a rookie class that has played major roles in the Jets sitting at 6-3 at their bye.

Saleh admitted that the rookies have grown up a lot quicker than he expected. It’s setting the Jets up well not only for this season — they have a great shot at snapping their 11-year playoff drought — but for the future of the franchise.

“Yeah, they’re doing a fantastic job,” Saleh said. “They’re making plays, they’re opportunistic, they bring a lot of juice and energy. They’re not jaded to the NFL yet, so every first down is the biggest thing, every yard gain is the biggest thing. So young guys when you have that vibrant youth, they just bring a lot of juice, it’s contagious. Everybody gets it.

“You got C.J. Mosley being demonstrative, and as a veteran, which usually it’s ‘ho-hum, I’ve done this already,’ his personality has come out, which I love.”

The Jets’ mix of veterans and youth has worked out well. They have become an entertaining, exciting team after years of being just the opposite. Their offense was stagnant and predictable. Their defense repeatedly allowed explosive plays.

This season, the Jets are ranked seventh in total defense. They’ve also done a great job of closing games. They’re tied for the NFL lead, averaging 9.3 points per fourth quarter, and have given up only 2.9 points, tied for the second least.

The Jets rely heavily on the players from the last two drafts and have been committed to letting the young players get on-the-job training. It’s part of their  plan for developing a contender organically and building something sustainable.

Offensive lineman Aljiah Vera-Tucker led the offense in snaps as a rookie last season. Through nine games this year, Wilson leads all Jets skill players in snaps. Gardner has played all but 13 of the defense’s snaps. Hall likely would have been among the leaders had he not torn his ACL in Week 7. He played roughly 67% of the snaps in the three games before his injury.

Saleh said he learned from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll not to be afraid to play young guys. They will make mistakes, but the good ones can learn from them and grow because of it. The Jets' young players have done that.

“It’s been fun to watch them come in since April — how they’ve grown, how their confidence has grown,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “We’ve committed to playing a lot of young players and some teams wouldn’t do that. Coach Saleh and his staff have committed to doing that, and that’s a credit to them, but the exuberance, the energy these guys bring every week, you can feel it. It’s palpable.”

Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick, has been the constant and is a legitimate candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has been a game-changer for the Jets and has perennial Pro Bowler written all over him. He leads the NFL with 14 passes defensed and has two interceptions.

“I joke with him all the time: I didn’t have as much success my rookie year that he had his rookie year,” Quinnen Williams said. “He’s a baller, on the field and off the field. His attitude, the way he comes in, the different leadership things he brings. He’s going to be a baller for a long time and he’s going to be a great leader in the future. I’m just glad to have him on my team, for sure.”

Wilson, taken 10th in the draft, has 16 catches for 207 yards the past two games. His 42 grabs and 521 receiving yards rank second among rookies behind New Orleans' Chris Olave.

Hall, a second-round pick, was on his way to becoming a leader for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Despite missing the last two games and nearly three-quarters of the one before that, he ranks third among rookies in rushing, leads all first-year backs in receiving yards and is second in total touchdowns.

Rookies Jermaine Johnson, Max Mitchell and Micheal Clemons also have made an impact.

“They’ve been doing a great job,” Saleh said, “This bye week is perfect timing because it’s about the time when their college season usually ends. So hopefully we can help them take care of this so they don’t hit that rookie wall and we can keep ascending as the year goes on.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.