The competition level at One Jets Drive is about to get cranked up a notch.
New York begins its preseason slate against the crosstown rival Giants on Thursday night. With the beginning of the preseason comes added intrigue, as players fighting for roster spots will take the field against other competition to be evaluated.
Not only are roster spots up for grabs, but starting jobs are as well. There aren’t any high-profile position battles entering the preseason, but the Jets still have a handful of key decisions to make. The next four weeks will go a long way in determining who starts in Week 1 and who opens the season planted on the bench.
Here are four starting jobs up for grabs to keep an eye on throughout the preseason.
Tight End
Whether or not there’s much of a competition for the starting tight end spot is up for debate. Ryan Griffin brings experience and the pass-catching ability the Jets need with Chris Herndon suspended for the first four games of the regular season, but don’t sleep on Trevon Wesco’s ability to beat out the veteran.
Wesco is primarily a blocker, which puts him at a disadvantage when it comes to filling Herndon’s shoes temporarily. However, the Jets believe he has the skill set to develop as a receiver and contribute as one possibly as soon as this season.
If Wesco can go out and impress with his route running and hands throughout the preseason, he has a shot at beating out Griffin. Even if he doesn’t, this is a battle worth remaining locked in on until the regular season begins.
No. 2 Cornerback
Trumaine Johnson is locked in as New York’s No. 1 corner, but there is plenty of uncertainty opposite of him.
Darryl Roberts is the safe bet to begin the season starting opposite of Johnson in the secondary. However, undrafted free agent Kyron Brown has made a strong impression on the coaching staff early in camp. If he continues to produce as he has in practice throughout the preseason, he will give Roberts a serious run for his money.
Experience will likely play a role in New York’s decision here. Roberts has plenty of that, as well as a new three-year contract. Brown won’t go down without a fight, though.
Kick/Punt Returner
Replacing All-Pro return man Andre Roberts is no easy task, but the Jets do have some talented pieces in place to make up for some of Roberts’ lost production.
Greg Dortch currently has the upper-hand in the battle for the kick returner job, while Trenton Cannon seemingly has a comfortable lead in the punt returner competition. However, one muffed kick or one fumble on a return could change the trajectory of everything.
Evaluating inexperienced return men is a game-by-game process. The Jets will need the whole preseason to decide who will begin the regular season as their starters at those two spots.
Kicker
Yes, Chandler Catanzaro is New York’s only kicker in training camp right now. That doesn’t make him exempt from any competition, though.
Unlike everyone else on the team, Catanzaro is essentially competing against himself right now. He can redeem himself in the preseason after a rough first two weeks of camp, but he can also dig himself into a deeper hole. If that happens, the Jets will be left with no choice other than to add another kicker to the mix.
Make or break time begins on Thursday night for Catanzaro. If he wants to remain in place as New York’s starting kicker, he can’t afford any misses.
