Seven cornerbacks? New York Jets’ 53-man projection after their preseason opener

The New York Jets are through 10 training camp practices (two of them joint) and one preseason game. There’s plenty of time to get a better feel about where the roster stands, who is most likely to stick around and who is on thin ice.

Here’s a stab at the 53-man roster in the wake of Friday night’s preseason opener against the Buccaneers:

Quarterback (2)

In: Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik
Out: Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook

Klubnik showed some poise in his debut. I was surprised he didn’t get more reps since he’s a rookie, but he’ll also get plenty of reps in the last two preseason games. As for Zappe and Cook, neither showed anything to indicate they’re serious threats to push Klubnik for the backup job behind Smith (who is day-to-day with ankle soreness, by the way).

I still wouldn’t rule out Darren Mougey adding a veteran quarterback to the room at some point, but I don’t personally find that to be the absolute necessity that others might. Bringing in someone like Will Levis wouldn’t seem to do much for the 2026 Jets.

Running Back (4)

In: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
Out: Andrew Beck, Chip Trayanum, Sam Scott

Hall will be the bell-cow, and Davis’s injury makes it likely Allen will emerge as the clear-cut No. 2 option behind him. Davis will still have a role, but Allen has had a good summer (again) and looked impressive in the preseason game, especially on a 31-yard touchdown run. The Jets like Beck both for his blocking and special-teams role, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he ultimately stuck around.

Wide Receiver (6)

In: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith
Out: Malik McClain, Caullin Lacy, Jamaal Pritchett, Cam Camper, DT Sheffield

Williams has clearly jumped ahead of Cooper on the depth chart. It’s far too early to panic, and Cooper showed some things in the preseason game that indicate his skill set is better suited for games than practices, where contact is limited. Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson did have an interesting quote about Cooper last week: “Omar is doing fine. I got on him because last week he had some pitfalls, and that’s being a rookie; it’s camp days. You’re not used to all the drag and the mundaneness of it. But that kid is going to be all right.”

As for the rest of the group, Patrick was playing with the backups on Friday. That usually isn’t a great indication for a veteran player, but this coaching staff does value the veteran presence he brings, and he can be useful as a blocker. There aren’t really any viable backup outside receivers currently in the room unless the Jets really believe in undrafted rookie Malik McClain, who has had some moments.

Smith’s issues with drops don’t appear to have healed with time. He had a drop on Friday that he deflected into the arms of a Buccaneers defensive back for an interception. His only shot at sticking around the roster is on special teams — and maybe the juice of being a fourth-round pick a year ago saves him.

Pritchett has played well both as a returner and receiver this summer, but I’m just not sure where his place is on the roster. Maybe a returner-needy team might be willing to trade a draft pick.

Tight End (4)

In: Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods
Out: Chase Curtis, Connor Hulstein

Sadiq should be back at some point in the next couple of weeks, and this tight end room will be full. I’m of the mind that Woods is safe at this point — both because of the way coaches talk about him and because he’s such a unique player. This feels like one of the best position groups on the roster — when was the last time you could say that?

Offensive Line (9)

In: Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Joe Tippmann, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Chukwuma Okorafor, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper
Out: Landon Young, Kohl Levao, Courtland Ford, Liam Fornadel, Marquis Hayes

I have serious concerns about the state of the center position if Myers goes down. The Jets could theoretically move Tippmann back over, but he hasn’t practiced at center all summer. Newman has been the primary backup and he’s had some snapping issues. I’m not sure what quality of center will be available on the waiver wire post-camp, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on.

Cooper flashed some serious potential on Friday, albeit with the third unit. He didn’t allow a single pressure or sack in 20 pass blocking snaps and PFF had him graded as the Jets’ best offensive lineman.

Defensive Tackle (5)

In: T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Jowon Briggs, Darrell Jackson
Out: Payton Page, Mazi Smith, Jack Heflin, Junior Tafuna, Ben Barten

Sweat was activated off the Non-Football Injury list and should return to practice in the near future, a boon considering his importance to the fabric of this defensive line. Jackson has flashed throughout the summer and could play a rotational role as a rookie even with four solid veterans ahead of him.

Both Page and Heflin have also had moments this summer and should stick around on the practice squad.

Outside Linebacker (4, plus one on PUP)

In: David Bailey, Will McDonald, Joe Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare
Out: Braiden McGregor, Kingsley Jonathan, Nathan Voorhis, Paschal Ekeji
PUP: Tyler Baron

This group has been banged up all summer, which is the main reason I nearly had McGregor sticking around yet again. Enagbare has been in and out of the lineup and Ossai has yet to practice. Bailey, if you haven’t heard, has looked like a budding star already. McDonald had a sack against the Bucs; it seems like Bailey is already drawing enough attention that it could clear the way for a nice season for McDonald.

Inside Linebacker (5)

In: Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Mykal Walker, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Out: Chase Wilson, Jaden Keller

This might be the most concerning spot on the roster depth-wise. Walker has made some plays this summer — he has intercepted a couple passes in practice — but both he and McCrary-Ball are primarily special-teams players. If either Davis or Sherwood were to go down, the Jets would be in trouble here.

Cornerback (7)

In: Brandon Stephens, Azrareye’h Thomas, Nahshon Wright, Jarvis Brownlee, D’Angelo Ponds, Qwan’Tez Stiggers, Mory Bamba
Out: Tre Brown, Jordan Clark, Samuel Womack

Seven cornerbacks is a lot — maybe too many — but Bamba showed enough on Friday night that I couldn’t keep him off. Sure, it was against the Buccaneers’ backups, but he flashed some real potential and his unique blend of size (6-2) and athleticism makes him especially intriguing. Bamba had two pass deflections and only allowed four receptions on 10 targets.

“I think some of the younger DBs showed up and he’s the one that really stands out,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said after the game.

Both Wright and Stiggers were out, which gave Bamba reps with the second unit. Clark also played well and will push for a spot on the practice squad again.

Safety (4, plus one on IR)

In: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore
Out: Jarius Monroe, Dean Clark
IR: VJ Payne

Belton clearly deserves to be starting over Cisco at this point. It has been a disappointing summer for Moore, who the Jets were very high on a year ago. He ran with the third-team defense on Friday and didn’t make a dent — he hasn’t stuck out much in practice either. His roster spot is still safe, but I’m not sure how much of a role he’ll have this season.

Payne was on a good track before an injury knocked him out for a few weeks. The NFL allows teams to designate two players for injured reserve prior to final cuts with a designation to return, and he feels like a candidate for one of those spots.

Special Teams (3)

In: K Jason Sanders, P Austin McNamara, LS Thomas Hennessy
Out: K Cade York

York and Sanders have gone back and forth. On Friday, York made two short field goals but the second was questionable while Sanders nailed a 47-yarder. Sanders was iffy in the joint practices but has overall been the better kicker and has a longer history of NFL production.