August is the time for NFL players without a guaranteed roster spot to make their mark.

Each of these non-roster-lock players has a different goal. Some are looking to prove that they deserve a spot on their team’s 53-man roster, while others are hunting for a practice squad spot.

This year, the New York Jets appear to have more locks than in years prior, meaning fewer spots on the 53-man roster are available for those fighting uphill battles.

Here are three Jets players who are facing tough odds to make the 53-man roster but have a strong opportunity to generate buzz throughout the final two preseason games and stick around on the practice squad.

EDGE Nate Lynn

Nate Lynn, 24, signed with the Jets this week after an injury to Kingsley Jonathan, whom the team released.

While a spot on the 53-man roster seems unlikely for the 24-year-old given how competitive the team’s revamped edge room is, he could certainly stick around on the practice squad.

He has turned heads in the preseason for two years in a row with the Detroit Lions, while getting omitted from the team’s 53-man roster.

After a strong start to training camp in 2024, Lynn had a stellar preseason debut, logging a sack, two quarterback hits and two hurries on just 13 pass-rush snaps, contributing to an 84.9 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus.

Before he could continue building momentum, though, he suffered a torn ligament in his shoulder, ending his 2024 season as the Lions placed him on injured reserve.

That would have been the year for him to get a legitimate NFL opportunity, especially with how many injuries Detroit’s defense dealt with down the stretch.

Back at it in 2025, he finished the preseason with one sack, one hit and eight hurries on 70 pass-rush snaps, with another great pass-rushing grade of 90.6.

His efforts, though, weren’t sufficient for a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster, prompting him to land with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad. He didn’t get elevated for a game.

On top of his preseason success, he has multiple ties to the Jets’ coaching staff.

In 2024, he played under Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who was Detroit’s defensive coordinator. That season, he also overlapped with New York’s assistant defensive line coach, Cameron Davis, who held the same role with Detroit.

Throughout New York’s final two preseason games, keep an eye on Lynn.

RB Sam Scott

Among all the positions on the Jets’ roster, you could argue that running back is the most solidified spot on the team’s depth chart.

There are four clear locks: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis and Kene Nwangwu. That makes it essentially impossible for anyone else to sneak onto the roster.

However, most teams typically carry a running back on their practice squad due to the wear and tear on backs across the league.

Sam Scott could end up fitting that bill for the Jets.

The UDFA out of Wyoming impressed during Monday’s training camp practice, and with Hall and Davis expected to miss the remainder of the preseason, he will have no shortage of carries.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 213 pounds, Scott brings an interesting blend of speed and power as a UDFA. The Wyoming product has displayed strong vision on the practice field.

During last week’s preseason opener, he only had three carries for 13 yards. Now that Hall is out, it’s fair to expect an increased workload for Scott.

KR/WR Jamaal Pritchett

In the eyes of many Jets fans, Jamaal Pritchett was snubbed from last year’s 53-man roster after a stellar preseason.

Now, one year later, a lot has changed about the Jets’ situation at returner. During the 2025 season, Isaiah Williams and Kene Nwangwu established themselves as two of the best returners in football. They are locked in as the Jets’ returners going into 2026.

Given that, it appears highly unlikely that Prtichett will make the team’s roster. Regardless, Pritchett continues to impress. To kick off the preseason last week, he had three punt returns for 46 yards (15.3 yards per return), including a long of 19 yards, along with a team-high three receptions for 24 yards.

After the Jets cut wide receiver DT Sheffield this week, Pritchett won’t have much competition for return snaps these next two weeks, which will give him added opportunities.

If he finishes the preseason on a high note, perhaps the Jets can flip Pritchett for late-round draft capital, similar to what they did with Brandon Codrington in 2024.

There is also the possibility that the Jets could just retain him on the practice squad, as they did last year.

Nwangwu also has a history of hamstring issues, so it would be beneficial to have a returner like Pritchett as a backup option from the practice squad if Nwangwu is forced to miss time in 2026.

The goal for all three of these Jets should be simple throughout the final two preseason games: make themselves as hard to ignore as possible.