As they get ready for their first preseason game under coach Aaron Glenn on Saturday night in Green Bay, the Jets are well into training camp.
A number of the most crucial roles have been decided. However, a number of players are still vying for rotation positions and, in certain situations, employment.
What is the current situation before the first preseason game? Here’s a look at how we envision things turning out, position by position.
Quarterback (2)
Justin Fields started
Tyrod Taylor is the backup.
Brady Cook and Adrian Martinez are likely to be cut.
It should come as no surprise that the top two positions on this list have been set for months. The Jets will probably enter September with just two quarterbacks on the roster, and Taylor is among the league’s top backups. However, they’ll probably make an effort to keep Cook and Martinez on the practice squad.
Running back (5)
Beginning with Breece Hall
Depth: Andrew Beck (FB), Kene Nwangwu, Isaiah Davis, and Braelon Allen
Lawrance Toafili and Donovan Edwards are likely to be cut.
We still anticipate Hall to be the best option out of the backfield, not only as a runner but also as a receiver, even if Allen and Davis are both displaying a ton of promise and his workload will undoubtedly reduce. Davis’ adaptable approach and intensity will provide him plenty of play in what is probably going to be a run-heavy offensive attack, while Allen’s workload will probably grow in the red zone and in scenarios requiring short yardage. Despite being labeled as a running back, Nwangwu is probably going to be the kick returner on the squad. Edwards is a possibility for the practice squad.
The tight end (3)
Mason Taylor started
Depth: Stone Smartt, Jeremy Ruckert,
Neal Johnson and Zach Kuntz are likely to be cut.
With his strong hands and persistent blocking, Taylor is already displaying some of the potential that led to his selection in the second round in April. Because of his relationship with Fields, which dates back to their time at Ohio State, Ruckert is perhaps a more effective weapon. Kuntz is a good practice squad candidate who has clearly improved going into year three and may challenge for a roster place.
Wide receiver (6)
Tyler Johnson, Josh Reynolds, and Garrett Wilson are the starters.
Depth: Jamaal Pritchett, Arian Smith, and Allen Lazard
Xavier Gipson, Dymere Miller, Quentin Skinner, Brandon Smith, Ontaria Wilson, and Malachi Corley are likely to be cut.
With nothing fixed behind Wilson as the obvious No. 1, this camp was a chance for an untested receiver to soar up the depth chart. However, it simply hasn’t occurred over the first two weeks. After missing OTAs due to an injury and not making an impression during training camp, Corley, who was selected in the third round by the previous administration a year ago, looks to be in danger of losing his roster place. Lazard’s experience and Pritchett’s potential as a punt returner probably earn both the nod for roster berths, even though Brandon Smith and Gipson are on the bubble.
Line of attack (9)
John Simpson (LG), Joe Tippmann (C), Alijah Vera-Tucker (RG), Armand Membou (RT), and Olu Fashanu (LT) are the starters.
Depth: Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Josh Myers, and Chukwuma Okorafor
Liam Fornade, Marquis Hayes, Leander Wiegand, Kohl Levao, Samuel Jackson, and Carter Warren are likely to be cut.
With four of the five starters back and the newcomer, Membou, selected in the top 10 of the April NFL Draft, the Jets’ line is a strength for the first time in a long time. Although Fashanu and Membou still have a lot to prove, they both appear at ease and physically prepared, which is encouraging as the Jets hope they develop into pillar blockers. Additionally, the Jets have seasoned backup depth at every o-line position thanks to Myers, Okorafor, Newman, and Mitchell.
Line of defense (9)
Starters: Jermaine Johnson (DE), Byron Cowart (DT), Quinnen Williams (DT), and Will McDonald (DE)
Depth: Tyler Baron, Leonard Taylor, Jay Tufele, Derrick Nnandi, and Michael Clemons
Braiden McGregor, Kingsley Johnson, Phidarian Mathis, Michael Fletcher, Fatorma Mulbah, Payton Page, and others are likely to be cut.
As Johnson recovers from a ruptured Achilles, the Jets will probably start the season with at least ten defensive lineman on the field. Cowart has the early advantage to start alongside Williams, but Tufele and Nnandi are still in the running. After a great start to camp, Page is on the roster bubble. If he doesn’t make the 53 first, he will undoubtedly be a practice squad target. McGregor is no different.
Linebacker (5)
Quincy Williams and Jamie Sherwood are the starters.
Francisco Mauigoa, Jamin Davis, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball in depth
Boog Smith, Ja Markis Weston, Jackson Sirmon, and Zaire Barnes are likely to be cut.
After Sherwood and Williams, McCrary-Ball appears to be the best depth option and has been a bright spot in camp. The Jets intend to include rookie Mauigoa in an experienced room, and Davis adds veteran depth.
Cornerback (7)
Starters: Michael Carter (slot), Brandon Stephens, and Sauce Gardner
Depth: Kris Boyd, Isaiah Oliver, Qwan Tez Stiggers, and Azareye H. Thomas
Jordan Clark, Bump Cooper, and Jarrick Bernard-Converse are likely to be cut.
Although Stephens has shown a lot of promise during camp, whether he recovers from a poor season in Baltimore will depend on his consistency. Thomas might push for rotational time during the season since he seems to be making rapid progress in his rookie training camp. Boyd may not be able to start the season on the roster due to a potentially significant shoulder injury. Under a new coaching staff, it’s also evident that Stiggers is moving up the depth chart.
Security (4)
Starters: Tony Adams and Andre Cisco
Depth: Jarius Monroe, Malachi Moore
Tanner McCalister, Mario Goodrich, and Dean Clark are likely to be cut.
The front-runners for the position are Cisco and Adams, both of whom have impressed in camp. Moore s push for a starting job likely won t be able to withstand the oblique injury that took him off the practice field last week, but he s still going to have a meaningful depth and special teams role.
Special teams (3)
Austin McNamara (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS), and Nick Folk (K) are the starters.
Harrison Mevis is likely to be cut (K).
Folk quickly took the lead in the kicking competition after the Jets signed the 40-year-old free agent last week, and he had a strong week of practice. With his booming leg and a ton of promise, Mevis may be difficult for the Jets to keep on the practice squad. However, Folk should be the favorite because he has topped the NFL in field goal percentage for the past two years.
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