Throughout the preseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Randy Lange, Susanna Weir and Jack Bell will give their responses to a series of questions regarding the Jets.
Today's question:
Which Jets Player Can Help Himself the Most Against the Eagles?
EA: WR Arian Smith. The rookie is a roster lock, but there is great value in every game rep he receives. He had 2 catches in each of the Jets' first two preseason games, logging 40 snaps against the Packers (36 offense and 4 special teams) and 32 on offense against the Giants. He is averaging 14.3 yards a reception and that number easily could be north of 20. After an outside release on a Packers cornerback, Smith went into turbocharge down the visiting sideline and left the DB in his dust. QB Adrian Martinez overshot him by a yard or two, but you're not going to be able to say that much because the speed is lethal. Smith had one of the best catches in camp -- the high-pointing of a Martinez ball at the Giants in a joint practice before safely securing it while absorbing contact and crashing to the ground. Then in the game, Martinez converted two third downs to Smith, the latter an in route where he showcased smooth hands and quick ball security before getting tackled. Smith's continued offensive development will be huge for an offense that will emphasize its ground game and WR Garrett Wilson throughout the season. It will also be interesting to see how Smith will be implemented on special teams because the former first-team All-American for track and field is a speedster who embraces physicality.
RL: The competition just ramped up on the DL interior alongside Quinnen Williams with a trade that brought in Jowon Briggs from Cleveland. What does it mean for a player like Byron Cowart? BC was one of the early signees of GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn, the sturdy (6-3, 300) former third-round pick who made his tour of NFL teams since 2019 and was eager to settle in with the Jets — except that an injury has kept him out of both preseason games. DC Steve Wilks said this week: "What he did before was exciting. ... I hate that he missed the time, but I think he's going to be fine when he gets back into the fold." The Eagles game could present Cowart and others in the interior with their last game reps this summer to show that they belong in the DL rotation when the regular season begins in two weeks.
See the Jets players take the field during training camp for the last time this summer under a downfall of rain.
JB: QB Adrian Martinez. No. 2 QB Tyrod Taylor has been out since a "minor scope" of his knee early this month. And with No. 1 Justin Fields playing three series (before Friday night's preseason finale against the Eagles), Martinez and rookie Brady Cook have been taking the lion's share of snaps in games while also getting reps in practice. Although Martinez has never taken a regular season snap in the NFL, the dude is no slouch. After being waived by Detroit in August 2023, Martinez, 25, landed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL and was named to the 2024 All-UFL team, the league MVP and the MVP of the title game, won by the Stallions when he passed for TD and ran for 2 more. In 10 games he completed 134-of-229 passes (58.5%) for 1,748 yards and 15 TDs (3 INT). He also ran 54 times for 528 yards (9.7 per) and 3 TDs. He spent last season on the Jets' practice squad. In the current preseason, Martinez has seen the most action of the Green & White's QBs, hitting on 23-of-37 attempts (62.2%) for 226 yards and has run twice for 13 yards. For Martinez and dozens of other players, the time is now.
SW: With roster cuts looming, I'm looking at some undrafted free agents that will be fighting for a spot and looking to make their last impression in game action. My pick for who can help himself the most vs. the Eagles out of that group is UDFA S Dean Clark. The Fresno State graduate had a solid training camp, but he made his biggest impression during last week's preseason game vs. the Giants. Clark led the team with 6 total tackles, and he recorded a sack of QB Jameis Winston for a 9-yard loss on third down in the red zone. Just two plays later, Clark intercepted a Winston pass intended for Giants receiver Juice Wells Jr. near the goal line. Clark played 48 defensive snaps, the most on the team, and he also played 12 snaps on special teams, which is something to keep an eye on as he looks to make his case for a spot. Consistency goes a long way when it comes to roster decisions, so if the undrafted free agent can have another standout performance and deliver some big plays in his second consecutive contest, he could make a sneaky push for a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
