The New York Jets suffered a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first preseason game.
The starting offense and defense played well in a very limited sample size, especially fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik, who looked very comfortable and poised leading the first-team offense.
Once the starters were pulled by head coach Aaron Glenn, the backups struggled, especially veteran QB Bailey Zappe, who threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. There's still plenty of time for players on the bubble to make an impression with the Jets' next game on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But, needless to say, the window is closing.
With the first preseason game in the books, here is Jets Wire's latest 53-man roster projection:
Quarterbacks (2)
Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik
Smith was a late scratch in last Friday's game due to a sore foot, but he'll be fine for the start of the season. Klubnik stepped in on Friday and looked very comfortable leading the offense on the team's first two scoring drives. This feels like his job to lose, but I'm going to predict the Jets add a veteran quarterback right before the start of the season by trade.
Zappe was terrible last week as he threw an interception on his first pass attempt after taking over for Klubnik that was returned for a touchdown. While his second interception was not entirely his fault, he threw it high to Arian Smith who let it tip off his hands. That's not a good look for a veteran quarterback against a second-string defense. While Cook's numbers were good on paper, it's safe to say we saw enough last year to know that he's not a serious option to be one of the team's backup quarterbacks.
Running Backs: (4)
Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
Glenn announced on Monday that Hall has a groin strain and will miss the next 2-3 weeks. The good news is he is not in danger of missing the team's opening game against the Titans. Allen was terrific in his first game back from injury that limited him to only four games last year. He had a 31 yard touchdown run to give the Jets a 10-0 lead and with Davis out, he could have the backup job locked up after Friday's game with the Steelers. Nwangwu will most likely be used sporadically in the run game as he is way too valuable on special teams. If the Jets decide to keep a fifth running back, it will most likely be Andrew Beck, whose versatility as a fullback as well as a blocking tight end is very valuable to the coaching staff.
Wide Receiver: (6)
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Omar Cooper Jr., Arian Smith
We already know what Wilson brings to the table, but Isaiah Williams continues to impress as a legitimate weapon in this offense. For now, he's ahead of Cooper as the WR3, which is not a knock against the rookie. Cooper has looked good this summer, but Williams has simply looked better. As for Smith, he's made some nice plays in camp, but it didn't translate to the first preseason game as he was partly responsible for not catching a pass from Bailey Zappe that was the quarterback's second interception. He needs to start showing something soon otherwise the Jets could be in the market for another receiver.
Tight End: (4)
Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods
Sadiq should be back in time for the regular season, which gives Reich another weapon to the offense. It was good to see the Jets get Taylor involved early in their first preseason game and he'll most likely be the starter as Sadiq gets up to speed. It's looking more and more likely that Woods will stick around on the roster. He's making the most of his opportunities with Sadiq out and his size (6'7", 253 lbs.) makes him an ideal red-zone weapon for Geno Smith.
Offensive Line: (9)
Armand Membou, Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Anez Cooper, Xavier Newman
The starting offensive line is locked in for the season. While I understand there are "serious concerns" among the Jets beat writers about a backup center in case Myers gets hurt, that feels like grasping at straws and creating a problem when there really isn't one. They could move Tippmann back to his natural position if necessary and Parham also has experience playing center. Cooper graded out as the Jets top offensive lineman against the Buccaneers and after disappointing games by Mitchell and Newman, he could be moving up the depth chart into a bigger role.
Defensive Line: (6)
T'Vondre Sweat, Harrison Philips, David Onyemata, Jowon Briggs, Darrell Jackson, Mazi Smith
The Jets got some good news as they activated Sweat off of the non-football injury list and he can begin practicing with the team. This is going to be a very strong defensive line with a nice blend of stopping the run as well as pressuring the quarterback. You can never have enough depth at any position and I have the Jets keeping Smith around as a sixth defensive lineman.
Outside Linebacker / Defensive End: (4)
David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Will McDonald
Bailey has looked terrific all summer and had a great week of joint practices as well as in Friday's game with the Buccaneers. Teams will now have to focus on stopping Bailey, which could leave McDonald open to a monster season. Ossai is back at practice after being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform List, which is another good sign the Jets are getting healthy right before the start of the regular season.
Inside Linebacker: (4)
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
This position is very thin and that should scare Jets fans. Davis is 37 years old and while he's been very durable throughout his career, an injury to one of their defensive leaders would be devastating. McCrary-Ball is a strong special teams player and needs to stay disciplined if he wants to be in the linebacker rotation on defense. It's possible GM Darren Mougey is not doing tinkering with this group and could sign a veteran free agent right before the start of the season.
Cornerback: (6)
Brandon Stephens, Nahshon Wright, D'Angelo Ponds, Azareye'h Thomas, Quantez Stiggers, Jarvis Brownlee
Stephens has looked excellent in camp while the battle between Thomas and Wright to start opposite him is too close to call. Ponds has been out with a calf injury and hasn't practiced much this summer. Glenn seems optimistic that he will be back in time for the season opener in Tennessee. The absence of Ponds should clear the way for Brownlee to start as the team's slot cornerback. It's great to hear that Stiggers is getting better after a scary incident during practice where he collapsed on the field. I'm not ready to jump on the Mory Bamba bandwagon just yet, but he was very impressive against the Buccaneers. If he has another good game against the Steelers, expect this roster projection to change.
Safety: (5)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore, VJ Payne
Cisco and Moore have been very disappointing so far and it's not a good sign when your fourth-round pick from last year, who was being compared to Brian Branch, is on the third-string defense. Belton has looked very good and seems to have the inside track to start next to Fitzpatrick. Payne has been out for a few weeks with an injury, but it's not season-ending and he may start the season on Injured Reserve with a designation to return.
Special Teams: (3)
K Cade York, P Austin McNamara, LS Thomas Hennessy
York and Jason Sanders are having a battle in camp and this will probably come down to the final preseason game. York made both field goals in last Friday's game even though the second one looked like a miss. He's kicked well in camp and they signed him first after letting Nick Folk go to Atlanta so I think that gives him the inside track on the starting job...for now.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets Wire 53-man roster projection following Week 1 of the preseason
