Jets Skill Position Camp Battles to Kick off; Who Wins out?

With New York Jets training camp less than 48 hours away, there should be no shortage of competition up and down the depth chart.  So why not take a look and make some of our best guesses as to who will come out on top in these battles.

QB3 Adrian Martinez vs Brady Cook:

The Jets top two spots on the QB depth chart are set with Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.  We don’t know if the Jets will carry three QB’s on the active roster, but they’ll certainly have somebody on the practice squad as their third QB.

Cook is a rookie UDFA at of Missouri who historically, has done a better job of protecting the football than Martinez.  Both QB’s can run and Martinez has an edge with pro experience via the UFL and last season with the Jets.

Projected winner: Assuming Cook picks up the play book, we’re going to go with the guy who throws far fewer interceptions.  That doesn’t mean Martinez (or somebody added at a later date) can’t win the spot if Aaron Glenn goes with experience over potential.

RB3 Isaiah Davis vs Donovan Edwards:

Breece Hall and Braelon Allen will be RB1 and RB2.  Many seem to be anointing Davis as the team’s RB3 but for those familiar with Edwards’ game, it would be wise not to write him off.  Expect Aaron Glenn to place a ton of value in his backs being able to pick up the blitz where we believe Edwards was superior in college.

Projected winner: If both guys are given a fair shake, Edwards can win this thing.  If the competition is tilted toward Davis who played well as a rookie, he gets the job.

WR2, Josh Reynolds vs Allen Lazard: 

The Jets wide receiver depth chart it littered with questions beyond Garrett Wilson at WR1.  At the second spot it’ll be Reynolds vs Lazard who was playing well last season before getting injured.  Both are big targets who are comfortable blocking in the run game.

Only Lazard has been a regular starter but Reynolds has shown better hands when given a chance to show what he can do.  And of course Reynolds has some history with Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn.

Projected winner: Don’t be surprised if the Jets end up dealing Lazard at some point this season but whether he stays or goes, we think Reynolds beats him out for the WR2 spot.

WR3, Malachi Corley vs Xavier Gipson:

There has been plenty of discussion about whether or not Corley’s disappointing rookie season had more to do with his level of talent or the Jets’ failed coaching staff.  On film he’s the far superior player to Gipson and more physical as a blocker which will be big for Glenn.

Projected Winner: Malachi Corley

TE2: Jeremy Ruckert vs Stone Smartt vs Zack Kuntz

We fully expect rookie Mason Taylor to win the starting job out of camp with the other three tight ends competing for the second tight end spot.  Ruckert has been a colossal disappointment since being drafted out of Ohio State and is likely down to his final chance to show he belongs.  Kuntz is of course an athletic freak who, while entering year three, will also be expected to finally show something.

Projected winner: Jeremy Ruckert edges out the competition with Fields as his trigger man while also being the best blocker in the group despite a down season in that area last season.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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