Jets' Training Camp Countdown: Hottest Position Battles

Which players will establish themselves as starters during the NFL Preseason?

The Jets Country Training Camp Countdown, a series of nine questions, runs from July 10 through 18, counting down the days until rookies and veterans report to the New York Jets' facility on July 19.

A number of key positions are already spoken for, but there are a handful of available spots across the New York Jets' 2023 depth chart.

The remodeled offense's starting lineup may feature changes at center and tackle. There's also a competition brewing for carries behind RB1 Breece Hall.

The Jets will need to identify replacements for two unsigned former veteran starters —safety Lamarcus Joyner and linebacker Kwon Alexander— on defense. 

There will also be a position battle on special teams this summer. 

Which players will take control of the important position battles during camp?

It will likely take the full preseason for the individual competitions to run their course, but there will be opportunities to establish one's standing during the first two weeks of training camp leading into the Hall of Fame Game on August 3. 

Here are six position battles to watch as the Jets kick off practices in Florham Park.

Starting Center

Main Matchup: Connor McGovern vs. Joe Tippmann

Other candidates: Wes Schweitzer

In a four-day span, the Jets re-signed 30-year-old Connor McGovern and used a second-round draft pick to acquire rookie Joe Tippmann. The result is two adequate options to start at center. 

Gang Green can choose between a battle-tested veteran who has taken more snaps than any other Jet in the past three years or a highly-touted prospect with unique physical attributes.

Schweitzer could take some practice reps at center, but the veteran Swiss Army knife likely fits in as injury insurance across all five positions.

Starting Offensive Tackles

LT Matchup: Duane Brown vs. Mekhi Becton

RT Matchup: Mekhi Becton vs. Billy Turner/Max Mitchell

Other Candidates: Carter Warren, Yodny Cajuste, Greg Senat

Despite Mekhi Becton's stated desire to play left tackle, the position is Duane Brown's to lose. The 16-year veteran fought through a torn rotator cuff to make 12 starts in 2022. 

Although the oft-injured Becton was the starting blindside protector for Sam Darnold as a rookie in 2020, he'll likely be forced to make his return on the right side. 

Even on the other side, a starting spot is no guarantee for Becton. He'll have to battle veteran free-agent addition Billy Turner and second-year pro Max Mitchell. Turner has a history with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Mitchell made five starts as a rookie before injury ended his 2022 campaign.

Backup Running Back

Main Matchup: Michael Carter vs. Israel Abanikanda

Other Candidates: Zonovan Knight, Travis Dye

With Breece Hall expected to serve the RB1 role, there will be a competition for carries behind him. The fact that Hall is being eased back from a torn ACL injury places even more importance on the backup running back.

Michael Carter is the most-experienced on the group, having totaled more than 1,000 rush yards combined over his first two seasons. Carter, however, experienced a bit of a sophomore slump as his yards per attempt dropped to 3.5 in 2022.

Fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda brings a big-play element to the offense and could find his way onto the field in certain situations should he not win the primary backup job. Zonovan "Bam" Knight made seven appearances as an undrafted rookie last year, but his performance fizzled down the stretch.

Starting Outside Linebacker

Main Matchup: Jamien Sherwood vs. Hamseh Nasirildeen/Zaire Barnes

Other Candidates: Chazz Surratt

The Jets will likely move someone up the depth chart to take the snaps that belonged to Alexander last year. 

Third-year linebackers Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen will have an opportunity to prove they are more than just special teamers. Sherwood, who has taken 164 career defensive snaps, seems to be the leading candidate heading into camp.

"Wood’s doing a really nice job," said head coach Robert Saleh in early June.

Sixth-round rookie Zaire Barnes is a darkhorse in the race and could surprise folks this summer.

Starting Free Safety

Main Matchup: Adrian Amos vs. Tony Adams

Other Candidates: Ashtyn Davis, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Trey Dean

The Jets let Joyner walk in free agency, but traded for veteran Chuck Clark in March.

Clark and veteran Jordan Whitehead were working as the safety tandem during OTAs, but the former suffered an ACL tear in June. On the same day that Clark's injury was reported, Gang Green signed eight-year starter Adrian Amos off the free agent market.

The assumption is that Amos will fill the void left by Clark's season-ending injury, but the former Green Bay Packer is not a lock. Adams, who made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, started last year's finale in Miami. He could have something to say about who starts at free safety moving forward.

Ashtyn Davis is likely fighting more for a roster spot than a starting spot these days while Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Trey Dean are both rookies.

Primary Return Specialist

Main Matchup: Mecole Hardman vs. Israel Abanikanda

Other Candidates: Randall Cobb, Xavier Gipson

Braxton Berrios, who was released and subsequently signed with the Dolphins, handled almost every kickoff and punt return for the Jets in 2022.

Free-agent addition Mecole Hardman is the natural fit to replace Berrios, but the slot receiver may not be asked to shoulder the entire workload. 

Abanikanda returned kickoffs for Pitt last year and could see some opportunities as a rookie with the Green & White. UDFA Xavier Gipson was a highly-touted returner in college at the DI FCS level, but he will have an uphill climb to win a roster spot. Although 33-year-old Randall Cobb has plenty of return experience, he is probably just an emergency option at this stage in his career.

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