Preseason Week 2 Player Stock Watch
We are a few days away from the preseason week 2 matchup between the Giants and Jets, which means we are also closer to the Jets naming their 53-man roster and locking in their depth chart for the 2025 season.
Performances in the game against the Packers and the joint practices the last two days against the Giants have been mostly positive, and some players are making a case for serious playing time, while others need to step up over the next week to earn a spot.
Below, we look at whose stock is up and whose is down at this point in training camp.
Players Trending Up
Jay Tufele, Stock Way Up. No one on the defensive side of the ball has had a louder camp than Tufele. The former Bengal was a beast against the Packers with a fumble recovery in the endzone for a touchdown to go along with 1.5 sacks, and followed that up with an impressive day in the joint practice against the Giants yesterday. The defensive line was a weak point to start camp, but Tufele may be easing concerns and making a veteran signing less likely.
Leanord Taylor, Stock Up. Taylor has a similar opportunity to Tufele’s, as the former undrafted free agent has played well, while it appears Derrick Ndandi’s hold on the DT position is weakening by the day. Taylor forced the fumble that led to the Tufele touchdown, while also bringing down a sack.
Andrew Beck, Stock Up. Fullbacks baby! Beck had a great preseason opener, catching a couple of passes and being a lead blocker for a successful running game. Beck looks to have a great chance to make the team, and this ground and pound offense could use a fullback that can catch the ball out of the backfield when he isn’t blocking for the Jets three-headed running back monster.
Donovan Edwards, Stock Up. Speaking of monster running backs, no halfback had a more eye-opening game than the UDFA from Michigan. Edwards was consistent on the ground, had a nice catch and run, and also had a long TD called back on a penalty. Edwards was also seen at practice returning kicks, so even though it is going to be hard for him to make the team, another good game Saturday with him also returning kicks effectively could give him a real shot. Worst case for him, it would land him on another 53-man roster.
Adrian Martinez, Stock Up. Martinez looked very comfortable taking the majority of the snaps Saturday night. The former UFL standout went 11/16 for 152 yards and a touchdown, and looked cool and collected while doing it. We will be seeing a lot of him the next two preseason games, and with Tyrod Taylor already out for the rest of the preseason, Martinez could be the backup to Fields in week 1.
Austin McNamara, Stock up. Did you notice the Jets punter on Saturday? No? Good! That means he was doing his job. The rookie is going to be the starting punter for the Jets, and he looked great Saturday, launching 3 punts that averaged 50 yards, all within the 20.
Arian Smith, Stock Way Up. The most watched receiver in camp has, without question, been Arian Smith. Smith’s pick in this year’s draft received negative reviews on draft night, but so far, the speedster has shown the raw material that made the Jets reach for him in the 4th round. His first preseason game was quiet with just 2 catches, but his play in camp has turned heads. Smith turning into a WR2 for this team would be an enormous early win for new GM Darren Mougey.
Players Trending Down
Michael Clemens, Stock Way Down. We have seen too much of Clemens, both last year and now this camp. He not only should not be an every-down player for this defense, but you could make the case he should not be on the roster. Clemens was benched for fighting on the third drive of the game Saturday, and all reports in camp are that his play has been weak. He is a physical beast, but he has never been able to channel his emotions into consistent play, and he commits far too many penalties of all kinds.
Xavier Gipson, Stock Down. Football can be cruel. Just when you need to be ready and able to make a stand as the incumbent in a roster battle, you can be injured and watch the competition shine in your place. This is exactly what happened with Gipson, who was sidelined after hurting his shoulder in the Green and White scrimmage, has not been able to show whether he has progressed as a returner or pass catcher. What he has seen is Jamaal Pritchett, Malachi Corley, and Kene Nwangwu all look reliable returning the ball, and now the aforementioned Edwards returning kicks in practice. Gipson needs to be able to play against the Giants on Saturday, or there is a good chance he may see his roster spot go to one of those four players.
Allen Lazard, Stock Way Down. There is not much to say about Lazard. The Aaron Rodgers-induced FA signing of a few years ago has had a checkered tenure with the Jets, and he doesn’t seem to be a difference maker at all. It is rough to have the second-largest contract in the wide receiver room, a room that is desperate for a WR2 to emerge, and have it be pretty much a given that he is not that guy. He is not a special teams player, and his ability to run block may not be enough to secure him on the roster.
Malachi Corley, Stock Down. Corley’s stock would be way down had he not looked good as a returner Saturday. The 2024 draft pick has been a huge disappointment and mostly invisible in camp. It seems like he was destined to be cut, but if he can have a big performance Saturday against the Giants, especially as a returner, he may be able to save his spot.
Jeremy Ruckert, Stock Down. Ruckert has had every chance to emerge as a legit tight end option for the Jets, but he just doesn’t quite seem to have it in him. Rookie sensation Mason Taylor has quickly passed him as TE1, and the 6’4 Stone Smartt is on his heels for the TE2 role after catching a touchdown against the Packers. At this point, it is fair to say Ruckert’s playing time is in serious jeopardy.
