Position Battles To Watch This Jets Preseason
Preseason football, as I remind you every year, has all the predictive value of tarot cards. While it’s nice to see certain unsung players shine in the miniature spotlight, the results, at the end of the day, are irrelevant.
For NFL coaches, the exhibitions simply provide more data points for which they can use to make roster decisions, just like the joint practices that are becoming more prevalent. Come to think of it, I’d rather those were televised—at least you’d get to see the starters play.
The Jets are among the teams that will sit many of their regulars, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, for all or virtually all of the preseason games. The starting 22 plus the specialists are pretty much set in stone, barring training camp injuries.
However, if you’re a fan who enjoys getting into the weeds at the bottom of Gang Green’s 53-man roster, here’s a few position battles to watch this preseason starting on Saturday when New York hosts Washington:
Wide receiver:
Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh could alleviate some of the congestion if he opts to take seven into the season. If he doesn’t, there might be a few surprising cuts who would have to pass through waivers before they could land on New York’s practice squad. Garrett Wilson (stud), Mike Williams (hopefully healed), Allen Lazard (sunk cost), and Malachi Corley (third-round pick) are all locks. Xavier Gipson, despite his severe comedown following last season’s opening night walkoff punt return touchdown and a relatively quiet camp hampered by an injury, seems to be safe as the leading slot receiver and return man. Irv Charles will also likely make it as a punt coverage gunner. That leaves Malik Taylor, a veteran with a history with Rodgers and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and sophomore Jason Brownlee needing to show something this preseason to solidify a spot. Each has had periods where they have alternatively flashed and been invisible, according to media reports from practices. I think Taylor, given his experience, has more potential to produce a splash play here and there than Brownlee, but the Jets are thought to be higher on Brownlee’s development due to his size. I don’t know that either would be claimed on some other team’s top 53 should both be cut, so the resolution might come down to General Manager Joe Douglas’ intel and/or gut (shudders).
Linebacker:
The Jets’ base defense is nominally a 4-3, but they’re in nickel coverage so often that they really rely on just two linebackers—C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. Jamien Sherwood steps in when a third linebacker is useful on run downs. The rest of the LB room consists of depth players and special teamers. How many of those are needed? One? Three might be excessive. That means Zaire Barnes, a 2023 sixth-round pick, Chazz Surratt, a Saleh favorite, and sixth-year veteran Sam Eguavoen might all be playing a game of musical chairs this month. Barnes suited up for four games during his rookie season without ever seeing a defensive snap. And his special teams work was uneventful as well. Surratt’s snap count (9) wasn’t anything to write home about, but his speed was at least put to use on the coverage units, as he contributed six tackles. As a vested veteran, Eguavoen wouldn’t have to go through waivers to return to New York if cut, nor does he have any guaranteed money on his 1-year contract. It seems to make sense to initially classify him as an odd man out.
Cornerback:
Like with linebacker, the Jets boast one of the best starting cornerback trios in the NFL. Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and slot corner Michael Carter II ranked third, 17th, and 12th, respectively, in ProFootballFocus.com’s defensive grades last season among corners who played at least 500 snaps (not that they mean as much as they used to). They also managed to stay relatively healthy, missing a combined six games. They’ve been so reliable and durable the last two seasons that backups were an afterthought, though Brandin Echols performed decently in a pinch (since-departed former 2020 fifth-round pick Bryce Hall did not). I believe the Jets will keep one additional corner in reserve, with Qwan’tez Stiggers, a fifth-round pick with an amazing story, said to be in the lead for the fifth CB role. Stiggers’ father’s death in 2020 led to his dropping out of college. He returned to football a few years later, first with an indoor league and then last season in the CFL, where he was an All-Star as a rookie. The Jets beat writers have all praised Stiggers’ football IQ and instincts, which would seem to give him the upper hand. But wait, another 2023 fifth-round pick, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, may have a rebuttal. He’s also made some impressive pass breakups in camp, per reports. Isaiah Oliver’s conversion to safety might have helped unclog a potential logjam, but I can’t see Saleh carrying all these corners unless Carter’s ankle injury is more serious than the team is letting on. Let the best man (men) win.