The New York Jets are already a third of the way through the preseason, and tonight’s annual “Snoopy Bowl” against the crosstown rival Giants carries plenty of weight.
For several players on the roster bubble, this matchup is a make-or-break chance to prove they belong on the 53-man roster.
Here are three Jets with the most to prove under the MetLife Stadium lights this evening.
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (No. 41)
Entering the team’s first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, McCrary-Ball was viewed as the favorite to earn the team’s LB3 duties on the heels of a strong start to training camp. However, Saturday’s game lowered his stock significantly.
McCrary-Ball’s night got off to a rough start, as a late hit out of bounds drew an immediate reprimand from head coach Aaron Glenn. He later whiffed on a tackle against the run, further souring his performance.
Although the team’s depth chart listed McCrary-Ball as the third linebacker, it was Jamin Davis who opened the game next to Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. Davis made the most of his limited action, registering a sack and stuffing a run in just a dozen snaps.
Elsewhere in the rotation, Zaire Barnes was steady with three tackles and no misses on 17 defensive plays.
Miami undrafted free agent Ja’Markis Weston also outplayed McCrary-Ball, making a pair of tackles on 10 defensive snaps and sprinting downfield for a fumble recovery on a muffed punt.
Less than two weeks after pushing for a key role in the defense, McCrary-Ball now finds himself battling to secure a roster spot as the Jets head into their final two preseason games.
DT Derrick Nnadi (No. 91)
After signing with the team as a free agent this offseason, Nnadi began the summer viewed as the consensus favorite to line up beside Quinnen Williams in the starting lineup. However, that has been far from the case.
The veteran failed to make much of an impact in the preseason opener and has shown little in practice. Undrafted rookie Payton Page has impressed throughout camp, while Jay Tufele, Leonard Taylor III, and Byron Cowart have also outshone him in the competition for depth spots along the defensive line.
On the Jets’ first unofficial depth chart, Cowart was listed ahead of Nnadi as the starter next to Williams.
The three-time Super Bowl champion enters the final stretch of the preseason on the roster bubble, needing a strong finish to convince the coaching staff he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.
CB Ryan ‘Bump’ Cooper (No. 46)
After joining the Jets midway through camp following the release of punter Kai Kroger, Cooper has quickly made his presence felt in both practice and preseason action.
The former Baltimore Raven has flown around the field with energy, delivering big hits and playing with relentless effort. In the preseason opener, he earned a 74.2 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, including an 88.3 mark in coverage. On three targets, Cooper yielded one catch for 4 yards.
Still, with a crowded secondary in front of him, Cooper faces an uphill climb to crack the 53-man roster. If he can replicate his performance against Green Bay over the next two weeks, the Oregon State product may give himself a legitimate chance.