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FLORHAM PARK, NJ — The New York Jets will open training camp July 26 at the Atlantic Health Training Center in Florham Park. Is this the year they turn it around? Despite the NFL’s longest active playoff drought (11 years), the Jets fueled optimism with a strong offseason underscored by three first-round picks.
Coach Robert Saleh, 4-13 in his freshman season, is trying to change the loser culture. They have a coaching foundation and all three coordinators are returning. The Jets are the only team in the AFC East to boast such continuity.
They have tougher roster decisions than last year, which is good. It shows better depth at certain positions, meaning players like wide receiver Denzel Mims and cornerback Bryce Hall could attract trading interest.
Circumstances have changed. Instead of player development, the primary goal last year, they now need to put more emphasis on winning. This affects how they stack certain positions.
Our 53-man projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White
New year, different philosophy. The Jets were criticized last season for carrying two untested quarterbacks in the opening-day lineup — Wilson and White — and now have an experienced backup in Flacco, whom they re-signed after a midseason trade. Carrying three may be a luxury, but White, who achieved folk hero status with an epic performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, is considered a starting-level player by the organization.
RUN BACK (4): Michael Carter, Breece Hall, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson
Carter and Hall, a 2022 second-round pick, are the only true roster locks; they represent the present and future of the position. Coleman, Johnson, La’Mical Perine and undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight are fighting for third and fourth place respectively. Perine, a holdover from the previous coaching staff, needs this last chance.
Full-back (1): Nick Bawden
Bawden and Trevon Wesco both played well this spring, but the ultra-physical Bawden comes out on top.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Garrett Wilson, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith, Denzel Mims
Will Mims get another chance or will he be the last in a long line of Jets failures in the second round? He’s slipping through for now, but he shouldn’t take it easy because it could go either way. Usually they have six receivers, five of which are attracted for games. Special teams where Smith has an advantage over Mims is a consideration for the WR5 job. Moore and Garrett Wilson, a first-round pick, have star potential.
TIGHT END (3): CJ Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert
This is one of the most improved areas in the team. They spent a combined $25 million in warranties on Uzomah and Conklin, then capitalized on a third-round pick for Ruckert. That means the top three jobs are locked unless there’s an injury.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): George Fant, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Conor McDermott, Dan Feeney, Nate Herbig, Max Mitchell
The ideal number is eight, but Mitchell complicates matters because he’s a fourth-round pick given at least a year to develop. Former third-round pick Chuma Edoga looks like the underdog. The Becton Fant Decision – Which One Will Move to the Right Tackle? — will be one of the top stories at camp.
DEFENSE LINE (9): Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson II, Sheldon Rankins, Jacob Martin, Solomon Thomas, Nathan Shepherd, Michael Clemons
It’s a rotation-heavy line that has been loaded with free agency and draft and set up a numbers game that will result in two or three legitimate players being eliminated – ie Vinny Curry and Bryce Huff. Lawson, returning from surgery on his left Achilles tendon, could start camp on the PUP list but should be ready for Week 1. Clemons will have a hard time seeing the field, but he’ll go nowhere in fourth-round selection.
LINEBACKERS (5): CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Jamien Sherwood, Marcell Harris
This is the weakest area in the team. Mosley and Williams are doing well but things are tricky behind them. For now, Nasirildeen, a collegiate safety who played just 28 snaps as a linebacker last season, is the third starter. Sherwood, recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, could start camp on PUP. They’re looking for better depth.
CORNERBACK (7): DJ Reed, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, Bryce Hall, Javelin Guidry, Justin Hardee
Last year’s starters – Echols and Hall – are this year’s backups, which should tell you something about the overall improvement in position. Look for the Gardner-Reed tandem that opens from the outside. Gardner, a first-round pick, needs seasoning, but he’s too talented to remain on the bench. Carter is favored in the slot. Isaiah Dunn, on the bladder, impressed coaches in the spring and could challenge Hardee, who makes his living on special teams.
SECURITY (3): Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis
Whitehead, Joyner and Davis seem settled. The question is will they keep Jason Pinnock who was outstanding in the spring. Pinnock, a converted cornerback, is still learning the position. Joyner, 31, stays because of his experience and man-to-man reporting skills, despite not intercepting a pass in four years.
SPECIALISTS (3): Greg Zuerlein (Kicker), Braden Mann (Punter), Thomas Hennessy (Long Snapper)
Zuerlein and incumbent Eddy Pineiro did well in the spring and will bring their “neck-to-neck” competition into camp, according to special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Where have we heard that before? Every year, regardless of the kickers, it becomes a mess.
