Two preseason games are in the books. One remains. For some members of the New York Jets, Friday night's preseason finale against the New York Giants will serve as little more than a final tune-up before the regular season begins.
For others, it could help determine whether they make the 53-man roster, land on the practice squad, or continue their NFL careers elsewhere. NFL teams must trim their rosters by Aug. 30, leaving little room for error.
A strong performance won't automatically secure a roster spot, but it can make head coach Aaron Glenn's decisions significantly more difficult.
With that, here are Jets Wire's six players players to watch vs. the Giants:
Jelani Woods, tight end
Jelani Woods has done a lot to improve their stock this summer. The veteran tight end
entered camp looking like a long shot to make the roster. With Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, and Jeremy Ruckert ahead of him on the depth chart, Woods appeared destined to battle for a practice squad spot.
Instead, he has capitalized on every opportunity.His lone reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers resulted in a touchdown, and he has consistently drawn praise as training camp rolls on. The question now isn't whether Woods belongs in the conversation. It's whether he can convince the Jets to carry a fourth tight end.
Bailey Zappe, QB
Zappe's situation has become increasingly interesting. The veteran entered camp hoping to secure the backup quarterback role behind Geno Smith. Instead, Cade Klubnik appears to have gained the upper hand through two preseason games.
The bigger question may now be whether the Jets keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. If they do, Zappe still has a path. If they don't, Friday could become an important audition for other teams around the league.
Samuel Womack III, CB
Injuries created an opportunity. Womack has done an excellent job taking advantage of that truth. The cornerback recorded an interception against the Steelers and was excellent in coverage throughout the evening.
With multiple injuries impacting the secondary, Womack has played his way firmly into the roster discussion. Another strong performance could help remove any lingering doubt.
Chase Wilson, LB
Undrafted rookies often need a signature moment. Wilson may have found his against Pittsburgh. Like Geno Smith, he's a former West Virginia Mountaineers standout. On Friday, he tied for the team lead in tackles while also contributing a sack and multiple pressures.
Linebacker remains one of the more fluid depth-chart battles on the roster, and Wilson has positioned himself as someone worth watching. One more productive outing would strengthen his case considerably.
Nate Lynn, EDGE
Talk about making a first impression. Lynn had only been with the organization a few days before turning in one of the Jets' most productive defensive performances against the Steelers. He finished with four tackles and two sacks while consistently affecting the quarterback.
Making the 53-man roster remains a difficult task given the Jets' depth along the edge, but Lynn has at least forced his name into the discussion. At minimum, he appears to be making a strong case for a practice squad spot.
Brady Cook, QB
The Jets' quarterback competition extends beyond the battle for the backup job. Cook remains firmly in the mix as he competes for a roster or practice squad opportunity.
If the organization elects to keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster, every snap in the preseason finale becomes more important. Quarterback is one of the few positions where availability matters almost as much as talent. A strong showing against the Giants could help Cook's case, whether that future is with the Jets or another organization.
Friday's game won't determine every roster decision. Some players have already secured their spots, while others are likely facing uphill battles regardless of what happens. For these six players, however, one final preseason performance could still make a meaningful difference.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets vs. Giants: 6 players to watch during preseason finale
