We are through one week of training camp practices for the New York Jets in Florham Park. New head coach Aaron Glenn has already instilled several key initiatives that the roster is looking to push throughout each practice.
They may only be a week in, but the Jets are starting to look exactly how Glenn wants them to.
As with every training camp, certain players stand out, while others struggle. Heading into the second week of practices on Monday, it’s time to take stock of those on both sides of the aisle.
Jets’ Training Camp Stock Watch
It’s important to remember the context that comes with stock watches like this after one week of practice. The pads have yet to come on, so this is not the be-all and end-all for any of these players.
That being said, the last week of work has given us a good indication of those who have stood out in a productive and harmful way to their chances of making the 53-man roster.
Let’s get to it.
Stock Up: Tyrod Taylor
It’s not an overreaction to say that Taylor has looked better in team drills than Justin Fields to this point. Taylor has been on point in most drills, and has thrown some excellent passes that have beaten even Sauce Gardner in coverage.
While Fields is the unquestioned starting quarterback going into the 2025 season, he still has a lot to learn about this new offensive system.
This isn’t to say there should be a quarterback controversy. Fields is going to be the starter because he fits what the Jets want to do from an offensive standpoint the best. But the fact that Taylor has seemingly looked better in team drills can’t be overlooked either.
Stock Down: Allen Lazard
The former Green Bay Packer wideout has been quiet to start camp, way too quiet for a player trying to earn a roster spot at this point.
Lazard and fellow wide receiver Josh Reynolds are both known for their blocking. The fact that New York has two of the same type of receivers on the roster means it is a safe bet that they will be releasing one of them once cutdown day comes.
As things look right now, that player may be Lazard. He just hasn’t gotten many chances to stand out in a positive way. That isn’t a good thing.
Stock Up: Jamaal Pritchett
Outside of Garrett Wilson, there hasn’t been a more productive wide receiver in camp for the Jets than undrafted free agent Jamaal Pritchett. The former South Alabama prospect has gotten open consistently and caught everything thrown his way.
It’s hard to see him winning a roster spot over some of New York’s veterans, but it is very clear that Pritchett is making the decision much harder than anyone thought with how he’s looked over the first week.
The pads coming on next week will be a big test for him.
Stock Down: Malachi Corley
The good? Malachi Corley caught a touchdown pass during Friday’s practice.
The bad? He hasn’t done much before or since that play.
New York’s third-round pick from the 2024 draft class has struggled to start camp as he tries to catch up in learning a new offense with new language on different route combinations.
If Corley doesn’t improve soon, his spot on the 53-man roster could be in serious jeopardy.
Stock Up: Will McDonald
No player on the Jets has looked as dominant as edge rusher Will McDonald through the early stages of training camp. The Iowa State product has used a blend of speed and power to overwhelm whoever he has gone up against.
While we’ll know more about how good McDonald projects to be when the pads come on next week, the fact that he has gained plenty of muscle shows he’s willing and ready to take the next step in his game.
If he’s able to continue this success, the Jets are about to see a Pro Bowl caliber year out of McDonald.
Stock Down: Isaiah Davis
New York wants to run a by-committee approach at the running back position. They have liked what they have seen out of both Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.
Isaiah Davis will need to start picking it up.
It’s not that Davis has been bad. He just hasn’t made as many splash plays as Allen and Hall have so far. Making matters worse, Davis had a really bad drop during Saturday’s practice where he was wide open. Those are plays that need to be made consistently if the South Dakota State product is to earn a roster spot.
Stock Up: Mason Taylor
The second-round pick from April’s draft still has a lot to learn, but Taylor is clearly impressive plenty of New York’s coaching staff. Glenn has already said he was shocked at how much of a better blocker the LSU product is currently, and the receiving prowess is there as well.
It may take some time early in the regular season, but there’s a chance Taylor ends up finishing second in both targets, and yards by the end of the 2025 campaign.
He has been as advertised so far.
Stock Down: Zaire Barnes
Barnes seems to be the kind of developmental player under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich that the organization could be excited about. It worked with Jamien Sherwood, after all.
With a new regime, though, it’s clear that Barnes is struggling to make a positive impact on the roster at this point. During Saturday’s practice, he was confused in coverage and gave up a big play to a wide-open Braelon Allen. The second team also ran the ball effectively at Barnes’ linebacker spot.
Barnes will need to excel on special teams to make the 53-man roster, but it’s clear he isn’t off to the best start.
Stock Neutral: Justin Fields
We’ve already mentioned Fields a bit, but he deserves his own breakdown.
He continues to make some excellent plays with his arm at times, but also misses reads and is late with his delivery. That’s why his stock is more neutral right now than anything else.
His work during seven-on-seven during Saturday’s practice, though, was certainly something the organization should be able to build off with their new starting quarterback once he’s fully healthy from his dislocated toe.
