The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already exchanged plenty of words and shown plenty of intensity during a joint practice this week. Now, they'll settle things on the field.
Preseason football is rarely about the final score. Coaches use these games to evaluate depth, test young talent, and determine which players deserve larger roles moving forward.
With Aaron Glenn entering his second season as head coach, Friday night's opener offers another chance to see how the roster is developing under his leadership. The schemes may be vanilla, but the evaluations are anything but.
Don't be fooled. Guys have a lot on the line. There are key matchups worth watching. Here are five Jets players worth watching closely.
Cade Klubnik, quarterback
Every preseason game eventually
circles back to the quarterback position. Geno Smith remains firmly entrenched as New York's starter, but much of the attention Friday night could shift to rookie Cade Klubnik once he enters the game.
The 2026 draft pick has experienced an up-and-down training camp, flashing impressive arm talent and playmaking ability while also enduring some expected growing pains. His performance in the Green and White scrimmage showed why the Jets remain excited about his long-term potential. Now comes an opportunity to do it against another team.
Klubnik is competing with Bailey Zappe for the backup quarterback job, and every preseason snap matters. A productive outing could help narrow the gap in one of the most interesting position battles on the roster.
Braelon Allen, running back
The Jets rewarded Breece Hall with a lucrative extension because they believe he can remain one of the league's top running backs. They also know he can't do it alone. That's where Braelon Allen enters the picture. Allen has generated positive reviews throughout training camp and appears poised for a larger role in the offense.
His combination of size, power and athleticism gives the Jets a different dimension in the backfield. The next step is proving those traits translate against live competition. A strong preseason debut could reinforce the belief that New York has one of the NFL's more intriguing running back tandems.
Malachi Moore, safety
After recording 101 tackles during his rookie season, Malachi Moore enters Year 2 with expectations growing around his development. The former fourth-round pick is battling for a significant role in a crowded safety room that includes Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton and Andre Cisco.
While his physical style and willingness to support the run have never been questioned, continued growth in coverage remains an important part of his development. Preseason games often provide valuable opportunities for defensive backs to demonstrate instincts and versatility. Friday's matchup gives Moore another chance to show why he deserves consistent snaps in the Jets' defensive rotation.
Jowon Briggs, defensive end
Some of the most important preseason evaluations involve players who aren't generating many headlines. Jowon Briggs falls into that category. The Jets are searching for more production along the defensive front after a disappointing 2025 season in terms of sacks and quarterback pressures.
Injuries to T'Vondre Sweat and Mazi Smith have created opportunities for younger players to earn additional reps. Darrell Jackson Jr. has already begun capitalizing on those chances. Now attention shifts to Briggs.
If he can generate pressure and disrupt plays against Tampa Bay's reserves, he could strengthen his case for a larger role as the preseason progresses.
Will McDonald IV, edge rusher
This could be one of the most important seasons of Will McDonald IV's career. The talented pass rusher is fully participating in training camp after finishing the 2025 season on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Expectations remain high for a player the Jets believe can become a difference-maker off the edge.
The preseason opener isn't about piling up statistics. It's about looking healthy, explosive and comfortable returning to game action.
For McDonald, Friday night serves as an important checkpoint before the regular season arrives. If he looks like the player the Jets expect him to be, it will provide another reason for optimism surrounding a defense that appears to be gaining momentum under Glenn.
The preseason opener won't answer every question facing the Jets, but it should provide valuable clues. Whether it's Klubnik's development, Allen's emergence, Moore's progression or the defensive line's depth, several players have a chance to make the most of their opportunity when the lights come on against Tampa Bay.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 Jets players to watch in preseason Week 1 vs. the Buccaneers
