The Jets released their first unofficial training camp depth chart on Sunday. Compiled by the team's communications staff, the offensive and defensive units are represented with 12 players – 21 (2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR) and 11 (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) personnel packages are accounted for offensively in addition to base 4-3 and nickel packages (5 DBs) for the defense.
Justin's Job
When the Jets host the Steelers to open regular season play, Justin Fields is slated to become the team's fifth different starting QB to start Week 1 over seven seasons. After sustaining a dislocated toe two practices into camp, Fields just completed a full week of team reps over five practices and was especially sharp in situational work on Friday. He's listed as QB1 and is followed by Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez and rookie Brady Cook respectively.
"I think Justin's done a really nice job a week into camp," OC Tanner Engstrand said. "He's absorbing and digesting all the information as we get through it a second time. We had it in OTAs and now we have it a second time. He's doing a really nice job mentally and you're seeing some of the product on the field. We're making some plays, but then we're not making some plays. That's going to happen in training camp as we're going through the installation, but he's had a nice camp so far."
Center Competition
HC Aaron Glenn is stressing competition at every turn and there is an interesting battle brewing at center. Joe Tippmann (6-6, 313), a second-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2023, started 31 games in 33 appearances in 2023-24. He is listed with the first team on the depth chart.
"I think just keep competing," Tippmann said. "We brought Josh [Myers] in, so now I have that competition each and every day. It's something that's only going to make me better – pressure makes diamonds. So, just being able to keep that in my mind, know that it's an open competition and that I'm going to have to keep battling every day for that position."
Josh Myers (6-5, 310), a college teammate of Fields and TE Jeremy Ruckert at Ohio State, signed with the Jets in free agency after starting each of the 56 regular-season games he appeared in with the Packers from 2021-24.
"I focus solely on what I can control, so I try not to worry about any of that stuff and just show up every day as prepared as I can – as physically ready, as mentally ready, and just try to bring my best every single day, kind of take it one day at a time," Myers said. "And then however it unfolds is how it unfolds."
Check out the top photos from a rainy second week of Jets training camp at the Atlantic Health Training Center.
Membou and Mason Placements
RT Armand Membou, the Jets No. 7 overall selection from Missouri, and TE Mason Taylor, taken in Round 2 with the 42nd selection, are listed with the first- and second-team offense, respectively. Membou (6-4, 332) has spent a lot of time at camp matched up against edge Will McDonald IV.
"Membou, me and him have been working on a lot," McDonald said. "We watch film, talk about a lot of things. Membou can definitely hold his own around this league. I think he's going to be one of the best tackles in the league at some point. This year, I know for sure he's going to ball out."
Taylor, the most decorated tight end in LSU history, has been busy as a pass catcher and impressed as a run blocker. The rookie was TE2 behind veteran Jeremy Ruckert on the unofficial depth chart.
"He's a dog. It's consistent work," WR Garrett Wilson said of Taylor. "Consistent work is the best way I can put it. He's got great hands, he trusts his hands, and he finds a way to be open when he needs to be. Then the ball finds him and he makes a play. For a position like that, he's as good as I've seen in just making the play, finishing the play and being open. That's a position where if you can do that for a long time, you're going to make a lot of money. So, I think he's got a bright future ahead of him, and he's really going to help us this year because he's a great player. He came in ready."
WR2
With Garrett Wilson the unquestioned No. 1 receiver, several wideouts remain in the mix for the No. 2 and No. 3 roles. Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard occupy those two spots on the depth chart and are followed by Tyler Johnson and Xavier Gipson (who sustained a shoulder injury Saturday). Second-year wideout Malachi Corley and rookie speedster Arian Smith filled in the immediate slots behind Wilson.
"It's up for grabs," OC Tanner Engstrand said of the No. 2 spot. "Everybody's trying to win the job. We're all trying to make the 53, and then the 69, and so we've got a long way to go in training camp. And a lot of guys are getting turns to go in there and play with that first group and they're all competing. We're going to let the chips fall where they may when it's all said and done. But we're happy with where that group is coming. They're making progress every day."
D-Line Dynamic
The Jets are currently practicing without two of their starters in edge Jermaine Johnson (Active/PUP) and DT Quinnen Williams (calf). Veteran Micheal Clemons is currently the first-team edge across from Will McDonald IV. Byron Cowart was listed with the first team next to Williams while Jay Tufele was assigned to the second team behind Williams. Derrick Nnadi is listed as Cowart's backup and the group also includes Phidarian Mathis and Leonard Taylor III. Rookie Payton Page has flashed at camp.
"I feel like I'm around the Avengers right now," Cowart said. "I got Will [McDonald IV] to my left, I got Quinnen [Williams], Mike [Micheal Clemons], it's a lot of guys around me. The guys in the secondary, the linebackers behind me. Have you seen the new Superman movie? It has a new villain; he was trying to figure out his powers and what he is good at. So, I said that's what I'm trying to figure out."
Linebacker Landscape
The Jets have one of the NFL's top LB tandems with Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams. The unofficial depth chart lists Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who amassed 243 special teams snaps in 2023-24, as the third 'backer, rookie Francisco Mauigoa as Sherwood's backup at Mike and Zaire Barnes penciled in behind Williams. Jamin Davis, a former first-round pick of Washington (No. 19 overall) in 2021, is McCrary-Ball's primary backup on the depth chart.
"I'm on a mission for all of it," Williams said this week. "I want everything. So, number one, I want to be able to lead my team to a place that we haven't been in awhile. So, that's my number one mindset."
Jetcetera
Nick Folk, who rejoined the team on Tuesday, was penciled in ahead of Harrison Mevis at K. … Xavier Gipson is listed as the first returner at both spots while rookie Jamaal Pritchett and Kene Nwangwu are the first two backups at PR and KR. … Rookie S Malachi Moore, who missed the past two practices with an oblique strain, is slated behind Andre Cisco at safety and the versatile Isaiah Oliver lands behind Tony Adams. … Swing tackle will be an interesting position to watch as Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor were on the second team and veteran Carter Warren was slotted with the third team.
