Each year, there are a handful of surprises on every NFL team’s initial 53-man roster.

Due to the abnormal amount of apparent roster locks the New York Jets have this year, there likely won’t be as many of those shocks.

However, there is still room for some dark horses to sneak in, particularly after a strong first two preseason games.

Here are three under-the-radar Jets who have the best chances of surviving cutdown day.

WR Malik McClain

Before the preseason kicked off, I mentioned Malik McClain as an overlooked player who could grab fans’ attention throughout the preseason.

So far, he’s done just that.

Offensively, he’s hauled in three of his four targets for 33 yards, while his 16.8 ADOT (Average Depth of Target) is the 12th highest among 155 qualified WRs this preseason (min. 4 targets).

He ranks second on the team in Pro Football Focus‘ special teams grade at 90.7, just 0.2 points behind Jeremy Ruckert for the top spot. That mark also ranks fifth among 766 qualifiers in the league (min. 10 special teams snaps).

Here is a look at the Jets’ WR depth chart sans McClain.

  • Garrett Wilson
  • Adonai Mitchell
  • Omar Cooper Jr.
  • Tim Patrick
  • Isaiah Williams
  • Arian Smith
  • Cam Camper
  • Quincy Skinner Jr.
  • Junior Bergen
  • Jamaal Pritchett

There currently appear to be five locks: Wilson, Mitchell, Cooper Jr., Patrick, and Williams. Teams typically carry six wide receivers.

That sixth spot is very much up for grabs, and there is a strong case to be made that McClain should be the favorite.

At this point, it seems like Smith’s roster chances are dwindling, which is disappointing for someone who was a fourth-round pick a year ago.

Smith has been targeted only once this preseason, and it was a drop that led to an interception. The Georgia product played deep into the Pittsburgh game, running with the Jets’ third- and fourth-team offense.

The only time Smith’s name was called in Pittsburgh was on an illegal block in the back penalty in punt coverage. So, that makes no receptions and a penalty for Smith across two preseason games.

That’s not a great showing, to put it lightly, for a player who was already fighting for a roster spot.

Special teams was Smith’s best path to the Jets’ 53-man roster this offseason. Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo praised Smith’s growth as a gunner throughout his rookie season, though much has changed since then.

As for the other competitors, Pritchett and Bergen have shown flashes, but they will almost certainly not make the roster given the security at the Jets’ returner spots.

Camper has made a few nice plays throughout the preseason, though he looks like more of a practice-squad player. He doesn’t offer as much intrigue as McClain, who is 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds with a 9.92 Relative Athletic Score.

There is also an argument to be made for Skinner. Among 60 qualified WRs with at least five targets, he ranks first in passer rating when targeted (158.3) and sixth in yards per route run (3.71).

While Skinner has a case, McClain may still be the player with the best chance of stealing a roster spot from Smith. Right now, rostering McClain could make more sense for the Jets than going back to the well with a player who showed little during his rookie year and hasn’t done much to change the narrative throughout the summer.

Like Smith, McClain offers upside as a deep threat with elite athleticism, offering special-teams ability to boot.

The Jets could go in a multitude of directions for their final WR spot, but McClain’s strong preseason should put him firmly in the mix.

LB Chase Wilson

Chase Wilson came out of nowhere and has burst onto the scene throughout the preseason.

He was one of three players and two true rookies to latch onto the Jets’ 90-man roster this spring after a strong showing at rookie minicamp.

During his senior season at West Virginia, he played in 11 games and logged 46 total tackles (23 solo, 4.5 for loss), two pass deflections, 3.0 sacks and two interceptions.

Prior to his lone season at West Virginia, he spent five years at Colorado State, where he compiled two second-team All-Mountain West Conference seasons.

Given that he was a six-year college player, he is on the older side for a rookie at 24.

Throughout the team’s Week 2 preseason matchup against the Steelers, Wilson generated a sack, a hurry and three stops, tied for the most on the team.

While the Jets’ starting linebackers are firmly in place with Jamien Sherwood and Demario Davis, there is ambiguity beyond that. Kiko Maugioa is a roster lock as he was a fifth-round pick last year and has flashed at times.

Mykal Walker is currently expected to be the team’s fourth linebacker after a strong end to the 2025 season. However, he is currently sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the summer. If he isn’t ready to go for Week 1, he could become one of the Jets’ short-term injured reserve candidates, freeing up a roster spot. In that case, it appears Wilson could be in line for a spot on the roster.

There is also Marcelino McCrary-Ball, but he is an interesting case since his role is pretty much solidified in the league. He is a special teamer and hasn’t proved to be anything more than that.

Right now, I wouldn’t bank on Wilson sneaking his way onto the 53, but his solid preseason has certainly put himself in the conversation.

CB Samuel Womack III

Samuel Womack III has been among the NFL’s best cornerbacks this preseason.

During Friday’s game against the Steelers, he was targeted twice on 20 coverage snaps and didn’t allow a completion while coming away with a pretty interception where he won at the catch point.

His 89.9 coverage grade at PFF this preseason currently ranks fifth among 183 qualified cornerbacks (min. 15 coverage snaps).

Womack appeared in one game with the Jets last season, their Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, before signing a futures/reserve contract in January. In that one game, he made his presence felt, coming away with a pass breakup while posting a 75.5 defensive grade from PFF.

Now, he is vying for a roster spot, and he has done really everything he could to prove that he deserves another NFL opportunity.

Unlike many players fighting for a job this time of year, Womack actually has a draft pedigree, having been selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Since being drafted, he’s appeared in 46 games (11 starts), playing 16 games in his rookie year and all 17 with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.

Currently, there is a lot of competition in the Jets’ CB room. Here is a look at their depth chart.

  • Brandon Stephens
  • Azareye’h Thomas
  • Nahshon Wright
  • D’Angelo Ponds
  • Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
  • Qwan’tez Stiggers (Injured)
  • Tre Brown
  • Jordan Clark
  • Mory Bamba (Injured)

Most teams usually carry six cornerbacks, and the Jets have five locks with Stephens, Thomas, Wright, Ponds, and Brownlee.

That leaves the final spot up for grabs. Stiggers seemed positioned for that job, but he’s been on concussion protocol for nearly two weeks. To boot, Stiggers is more of a pure special-teamer. As he enters his third season as a 2024 fifth-round pick, he hasn’t proven that he is capable of playing a rotational role on defense.

In contrast, Womack has shown defensive potential with his impressive preseason play.

Womack has done everything he can to prove that he is worth keeping around, and the Jets should make room.