The Jets are wrapping up training camp. The regular season is now less than three weeks away.
Most of the Jets’ starting lineup is set. This camp has not featured as many position battles as in years past, but there are still a few questions to be answered before general manager Joe Douglas cuts the roster down to 53 players next week and before they face the Bills on Sept. 11.
Let’s take a look at five areas that remain unsettled entering the final days of camp:
Right tackle
Can Mekhi Becton take this job in the final week of camp?
Becton had been working at left tackle as the coaching staff let him build confidence with his surgically repaired right knee. Last week, Becton began playing right tackle with the backups and logged two quarters there in the preseason game against the Buccaneers. This week, Becton will see first-team reps at the position and is expected to start the final preseason game with the Giants.
If Becton plays well, the job will be his.
This was not the plan. The Jets gave Billy Turner and Max Mitchell every opportunity to win the job, but both played have poorly in camp. It is now clear that Becton is the better option, though I don’t think the coaching staff fully trusts him still.
Right tackle is really the only starting position I see on the roster that is unsettled. Duane Brown will be the left tackle despite missing most of camp.
It will be interesting to see whether the Jets cut either Turner or Mitchell if Becton does end up at right tackle. The Jets have some depth in the interior of the line, but not as much at tackle.
Third running back
The addition of Dalvin Cook has made this a crowded room. We know Cook and Breece Hall will be the lead backs for the Jets. It also feels like a safe bet that rookie Israel Abanikanda is not going anywhere, even if he does not have much of a role during the regular season.
The roster question is going to be whether to keep Michael Carter or Zonovan Knight.
After the Buccaneers game, it feels as if the job is Carter’s. He did not suit up for the game, an indication the coaches did not feel the need to see more reps from him for evaluation.
Knight played, fumbled and could be the one whom the Jets deem expendable. The club surely would like Knight to stick on their practice squad; he has had some good moments in camp. We’ll see, however, if another team claims him should the Jets cut him loose.
Sixth wide receiver
It is clear who is at the top of the depth chart with Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb having job security.
Corey Davis is an interesting one because his salary ($10.5 million) is too high for a backup, but you have to think the Jets are working on him to take a pay cut before the season gets here. I thought Davis would be gone a long time ago, but now we are so close to the season, it feels as if he will be a part of the team.
That would give the Jets five wide receivers, and of that group, only Hardman is a special-teams contributor as a return man. So, the sixth receiver is going to have to be someone who cannot just be a reliable backup but also can play special teams.
Undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee got off to a strong start in camp after a solid spring, but he has cooled off lately. Still, Brownlee has shown potential, and Aaron Rodgers has praised him, which should help him.
Xavier Gipson has come on strong lately both as a receiver and a return man, and his versatility may help him win the spot.
Malik Taylor suffered an injury last week, but had been making plays before that and has a history with Rodgers.
Finally, Irv Charles is a player who impressed last year in training camp and had a nice game against the Bucs.
Perhaps the most pertinent question, which I don’t know the answer to, is whom special teams coach Brant Boyer would prefer to have on the roster. I think that will ultimately decide this job.
Fourth cornerback
We all know how strong the top three cornerbacks are for the Jets. Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II form a great trio, but there isn’t much depth behind them.
Brandin Echols, who would be the most likely to play if one of those three were injured, will be suspended for Week 1. He won’t count toward the 53-man roster.
That leaves a battle for the fourth corner spot. Bryce Hall was a starter in 2021 and has played a lot of special teams, but I think the Jets have seen enough from him to move on. Jimmy Moreland is who I think will grab this fourth corner spot. He has played 37 games in the NFL and has had a strong training camp.
Fourth safety
Tony Adams and Jordan Whitehead are the starters at safety, and Adrian Amos is likely the No. 3. That leaves Ashtyn Davis and rookie Trey Dean fighting for the fourth safety spot. Davis, a 2020 third-round pick, has value as a special-teams player, and he made some plays in the preseason game with the Buccaneers.
Dean has had a strong camp and has done some good things in the preseason games. Still, I give Davis the edge and think the Jets could try to stash Dean on the practice squad.
Want to catch a game? The Jets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.
Keep calm and carry on
The Jets are planning to start Aaron Rodgers in the preseason finale against the Giants on Saturday. I’m sure this is going to cause some panic for Jets fans, but everyone should follow Rodgers’ advice and: R-E-L-A-X.
Rodgers surely wants to play in this game. The Jets would not force him into it if he did not want to suit up. Rodgers may feel he wants to go through one dress rehearsal in his new stadium and get some butterflies out before he has to play in a real game there on Sept. 11 against the Bills.
I would not expect Rodgers to play more than two series, and he may only play one if he can get in the number of plays he and the team are looking for.
I’m sure the coaches are going to put him in position to get the ball out of his hands quickly if he is dropping back. Think screen passes and quick slants.
Jets fans have scars. I get it. But they should just enjoy watching their new quarterback on Saturday and not have their hands over their eyes, expecting the worst.
Stat’s so
A look at the Jets’ career coaching wins leaders lets you know how bad this franchise has been for much of its existence.
Robert Saleh is 11-23 as Jets coach. He needs three wins to tie Sammy Baugh for 10th on the all-time coaching wins list at 14.
Here is the list of Jets coaching career wins leaders and their overall records (regular season only):
1. Weeb Ewbank (1963-73): 71-77-6
2. Joe Walton (1983-89): 53-57-1
3. Rex Ryan (2009-14): 46-50
4. Herm Edwards (2001-05): 39-41
4. Walt Michaels (1977-82): 39-47-1
6. Bill Parcells (1997-99): 29-19
7. Bruce Coslet (1990-93): 26-38
8. Todd Bowles (2015-18): 24-40
9. Eric Mangini (2006-08): 23-25
10. Sammy Baugh (1960-61): 14-14
Source: Pro Football Reference