The Jets open their 2025 preseason tonight in Green Bay. Let’s discuss some of the key players to watch.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has announced that the starters will be playing in this game for the Jets. He didn’t specify how long they will be on the field. I think we can make an educated guess that it probably will be for a maximum of a couple of series.
This gives us a chance for a brief look at the Jets’ new young tackle duo, Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. The combined ages of the Jets’ Week 1 starting tackles was 66 a year ago. This year it will be 43.
Youth was badly needed at the position, but with youth comes uncertainty. We won’t be able to judge Fashanu and Membou all that much based on a handful of snaps, but it would be a positive to see them hold their own, avoid major mistakes, and not look overmatched.
The Rest of the Draft Class of 2025
The Jets are not a team overloaded with depth so there will be opportunities for rookies to contribute. Second round pick Mason Taylor is out for this game with a high ankle sprain. Other rookies will have a chance to state their respective cases for playing time, though. Arian Smith and Malachi Moore are high on this list. Based on reports from training camp, Smith might have a tough time supplanting Josh Reynolds as the number two wide receiver. The coaching staff seems to like Reynolds quite a bit. However, Smith could still find his way onto the field during the regular season if he shows playmaking prowess in the exhibition games. The Jets have a lack of homerun threats on offense, which leaves open an opportunity. Moore, meanwhile is battling Tony Adams for a starting safety job. He likely will play deeper into the game against Green Bay second and third teamers. In a situation like that, it would be good to see Moore stand out.
A year ago in the preseason, it became clear that Leonard Taylor not only deserved a spot on the team but could contribute. He ended up getting 261 snaps, fourth most at the defensive tackle position for the Jets. It wasn’t just that Taylor was appearing in the box score. It was how he got his numbers, displaying legitimate ability to disengage from blocks using his technique.
These exhibition games are an opportunity for under the radar young guys to make the coaches take notice. In particular, I will be keeping an eye on wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett, whose name has come up over and over in training camp. He seems like a lock to make the practice squad at a minimum, but a strong preseason could bring him into the discussion for a spot on the 53 man roster.
The Rest of the Draft Class of 2024
Fashanu is penciled in as the starting left tackle, but none of his fellow 2024 draftees are projected for a big role on the team this year. That can be a dangerous thing when there’s a new head coach and new GM in town. Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey have nothing invested in these players.
Third round pick Malachi Corley’s roster spot is no lock. If somebody like Pritchett steals a roster spot, it could very well could come at Corley’s expense.
Corley was always a big project when the Jets traded up for him a year ago. It seemed like the Jets were starting from square one with his route running. He needs to show major strides. Again, this isn’t just about the box score. If he catches a bunch of five yard hitches against off coverage on plays where he’s the first read, it won’t be all that meaningful. Corley needs to display real progress in his route running.
Meanwhile Qwan’tez Stiggers has kind of been written off in some corners of the media after the Jets signed Brandon Stephens and drafted Azareye’h Thomas. However, there has been some buzz about his play in training camp. He might be the project of the last regime, but he certainly can earn a roster spot on his own merits with a strong preseason.
Based on how the Jets ran their offseason and some of the roster moves they made, it definitely feels like special teams capabilities will play a role in determining the last few spots on the roster. That’s a logical way to conduct business. A player buried on the depth chart at his natural position will probably only see the field on special teams.
This game is a chance for a player like Ja’Markis Weston to shine. There aren’t many rookies whose college coach outright said he would make the NFL for his ability to cover on special teams.
The Jets will also likely cycle through return men in this game to figure out who their best are. Training camp practices don’t offer much opportunity for kickoff and punt return reps.
The kicker competition will also be on display. You would have to think that Nick Folk is an overwhelming favorite over Harrison Mevis at this point. Above all else, Mevis can’t afford mistakes.