NY Jets Training Camp Roster Battles; 6 Players to Watch

We have a great poster in our forums. Well technically we have many great posters, but one that I want to spotlight night now. @Sarge4Tide handles all of the NY Jets Roster updates for JetNation. That roster dedication makes him a must read when it comes to breaking down the roster.

Sarge posted this in the forums and it is worth checking out.

6 Jets Players Who Would Be Cut Today But Can Earn a Roster Spot

You can break an NFL 90 man roster into 5 broad categories:

1. Absolute Locks to Make the Team
2. Players Very Likely to Make the Team
3. Players on the Bubble who Seem Likely to Make It
4. Players on the Bubble who Seem Unlikely to Make It
5. Longshots

By my count, there are 6 players in Category 4 who can move up with a good training camp.  For the purposes of this discussion, I am not including Izzy Abanikanda since he is the most obvious player and has been talked about extensively

1.  Jason Brownlee WR
   The subject of almost daily glowing practice reports and acrobatic catches on social media and he certainly looks the part of an NFL WR.  Played A LOT of snaps in the Jets last 3 games of 2023 and had a nice TD vs the Commanders. Right now, he’s at best the #5 WR and probably #6 behind Xavier Gipson.  With special teams ace Irvin Charles also in the mix, Brownlee is going to have to play his way onto the roster with a strong preseason.  Best case scenario for him is beating out Gipson if the Jets find another viable punt returner at another position.
2. Kenny Yeboah TE
   Conklin and Ruckert are locks at TE.   Yeboah is a solid veteran, core special teams player, good blocker, and can catch a pass.  The wildcard is 2nd year player Zack Kuntz.   He’s a giant at 6-8 and is rumored to have developed a strong rapport with Arron Rodgers during the off season.  If Kuntz shows he can’t be a reliable blocker or if Yeboah has a big pre-season, who knows?
3. Eric Watts DL
   People raved about the UDFA out of UCONN in the off season and mini camp.  Is he the real deal?  Is he big enough and strong enough to contribute on an NFL defensive line in 2024?  The Jets d line looks pretty stout and there are solid vets like Jalyn Holmes and Bruce Hector also fighting for a spot.  Watts is a true “feel good” story so far, but the clock might strike midnight for him unless he shows out in the pre-season.  Worst case scenario is the practice squad, best case scenario is beating out a vet to earn a spot.
4. Zaire Barnes LB 
   2023 draftee who looked good in the preseason but got hurt, missed a lot of the season, played on special teams in a few games then got hurt again.  We saw the potential last year, but with the improved play of Jamien Sherwood and Sam Equavoen being a strong special teamer, Barnes is fighting for a #5 LB spot which might not even exist.  Vets Chazz Surratt and Marcelino-McCrary Ball will also be in the mix.  It will be a difficult path for Barnes, but he is still in with a chance if he can stay healthy.
5. Jaylen Key S
   Mr. Irrelevant from the draft is the classic “tweener” – a bit too slow to be a safety and a bit too small to be a LB.  But he’s tough and a good tackler.  I’m sure the Jets would love for him to end up on the practice squad.  But, he will have plenty of opportunities to play in the preseason and if he can turn some heads, look good on special teams, and maybe contribute at LB, he could sneak into the very last roster spot.
6. Jarrick Bernard-Converse DB
   There were times at LSU when JBC looked like a 1st round pick as a CB.  He’s got good length and natural cover abilities.  But then he suffered a foot injury and his stock dropped.  He’s another tweener – not quite a CB and not quite a S.  He has some versatility and still has potential.  Came off of the injured list and played in the Jets last 8 games of 2023, almost exclusively on Special Teams.  We will watch him closely this preseason to see where he plays.  He might be battling CFL alum Qwan’tez Stiggers, another S/CB hybrid for the final spot in the secondary.