The preseason is finally over, and with that comes the final results of position battles across the Jets roster. Most of the starting jobs are locked up, but there are several backup jobs still to be filled by players who proved their worth during the four exhibition games before the regular season.
These players likely won’t play huge roles for the Jets, but their presence will be key in certain situations or if injuries strike the starters. At the end of the 2018 season, the Jets relied on a lot of reserve players to help Sam Darnold finish his rookie year strong.
From quarterback and defensive end to wide receiver and cornerback, here are eight Jets on the bubble who deserve to win their position battles after the 2019 preseason.
Luke Falk, third-string QB
Falk played well enough in the preseason to take the third-string job over Davis Webb. The former 2018 sixth-round pick finished 29-36 for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
In a perfect world, Falk will never see the field in 2019, or even the 53-man roster. But he’ll be solid insurance in case Sam Darnold or Trevor Siemian go down with an injury. His conservative play is exactly what you look for in a backup, whereas Webb tried too hard to force passes throughout the preseason and finished with four interceptions and no touchdowns.
Trenton Cannon, fourth-string RB, return specialist
Cannon may have won two position battles this preseason with his solid play on offense and special teams. The second-year running back outplayed Elijah McGuire for the Jets’ fourth running back spot and looks to have supplanted 2019 undrafted free agent Greg Dortch in the return game.
Cannon, who started the Jets’ preseason finale against the Eagles, ended up leading the team in rushing with 91 yards on 25 attempts. He also caught 10 passes for 57 yards. McGuire, meanwhile, finished with 76 rushing yards on 30 attempts.
Cannon has also been the Jets kickoff returner throughout the preseason and could take over punt return duties if the Jets decide to cut Dortch before the season.
Bronson Kaufusi, second-string DE
There are a few openings on the defensive line, and Bronson Kaufusi locked one of them up with an impressive preseason. Kaufusi was already having a nice summer, but his finale against the Eagles all but sealed his roster spot over Nathan Shepherd and Foley Fatukasi.
Kaufusi has been all over the field for the Jets and finished the preseason with seven tackles and one sack.
Frankie Luvu, second-string OLB
The suspension of Brandon Copeland left a void on the outside for the Jets, one that appears to be filled by Harvey Langi for now. But Luvu’s impressive preseason coupled with third-round rookie Jachai Polite’s disappointing summer should push Luvu up the depth chart and possibly into a starting job.
Luvu had a nice 23-yard fumble recovery against the Eagles on Thursday and he finished the preseason with 11 tackles and one quarterback hit. He should make the team over the likes of Tarell Basham, James Mosely and Polite (if the Jets decide to cut him).
Marcus Cooper and Tevaughn Campbell, CB depth
None of the Jets’ backup cornerbacks impressed too much this preseason, but Cooper and Campbell played well enough to make the team.
Cooper only joined the Jets two weeks ago but he had a nice interception against the Eagles and then a second near-pick later in the game. His veteran experience also gives him a boost over the rest of the group.
Campbell started a few times for the Jets this preseason and finished with nine tackles. He isn’t an inspiring backup, but he’s played better than Alex Brown, Arthur Maulet and Mark Myers.
Deontay Burnett, fifth-string WR
Burnett sealed his role on the Jets with another solid performance against the Eagles to cap off a great preseason in his second year. He hauled in 12 receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown on 14 targets.
The USC product played decently down the stretch for the Jets in 2018 and should be a nice backup behind Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder and Josh Bellamy. There’s a chance the Jets keep a sixth wideout, but Burnett is looking like the fifth-best on the roster right now.
Lachlan Edwards, punter
Both Lachlan Edwards and Matt Darr finished the preseason with 11 punts, and Edwards edged out Darr with an average kick of 46.6 yards (Darr finished with 46.0). They both had the same amount of kicks land inside the 20-yard line, but Edwards had a higher net total and a longer punt than Darr.
Edwards is also a better holder than Darr, for what it’s worth.
