While the New York Jets added several seasoned veterans who are expected to carry key roles in 2026, the team’s rookies are also expected to contribute right away. New York drafted four players in the top 50.

Following Thursday’s training camp practice, head coach Aaron Glenn emphasized that while the team’s rookies are expected to have important roles, they won’t have anything handed to them.

“Well, the expectation is for all those guys to have a role, but they have to decide that themselves,” he said. “You guys have heard me say this before: we’re out there trying to compete, and no one’s given anything, so they determine that role. I’m always going to be honest with those guys in that aspect of, ‘Listen, here’s what we need you to do, here’s how you can do it, and here’s how you’ve got to compete to beat this guy out, because that guy’s not going to let you just have it,’ and I want to create that type of environment here.

“The expectation, yes, they have a big role, but they have to decide that themselves,” Glenn closed with.

One reason to be concerned with the Jets’ outlook is their hefty reliance on their rookie class to contribute right away.

While players like wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, both first-round pass catchers, have the potential to be difference-makers in their rookie seasons, it will significantly impact the Jets’ passing game if they get off to a slow start.

The good news, though, is that there is a path for every one of the Jets’ draft picks to have a role this season.

No. 2 overall pick, David Bailey, who stole the show during Thursday’s training camp practice, will be a key piece in the team’s edge rotation, while Cooper Jr. and Sadiq will be primary options in the passing game.

Second-round rookie D’Angelo Ponds appears to be the favorite to win the Jets’ starting role at slot cornerback. Even the team’s Day 3 selections have a path to the field.

Darrell Jackson Jr. will be a rotational defensive lineman, while Cade Klubnik could very well win the team’s backup quarterback role. Seventh-round safety V.J. Payne can earn reps on special teams right away, while Anez Cooper is one of the team’s top backup interior offensive linemen.

Looking at the Jets’ roster, there are opportunities for every one of those guys to carve out a role, to varying degrees.

Now, it’s on them to earn the trust of the coaching staff throughout training camp and the preseason.