The New York Jets’ first unofficial depth chart offered an early look at how this roster is shaking out before preseason, and the biggest headline is at quarterback: rookie Cade Klubnik has already climbed into the QB2 role behind Geno Smith.
That’s the clearest sign yet that the Jets are leaning into their 2026 draft class while still sorting out several unsettled spots. General manager Darren Mougey brought in a mix of veterans and rookies this offseason, and the depth chart shows a team still very much in flux as camp rolls on.
The quarterback picture is straightforward at the top. Former 2013 second-round pick Geno Smith is the starter, while Klubnik has edged out second-year quarterback Brady Cook for the backup job on the first unofficial chart. Klubnik, the former Clemson Tigers standout and 2026 fourth-round pick, now has a chance to develop behind Smith in 2026 and position himself for a run at the starting job in 2027 and beyond.
Elsewhere, the secondary is where things get crowded fast. Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Minkah Fitzpatrick is expected to handle strong safety, which leaves the free safety spot wide open.
On the first unofficial depth chart, veterans Andre Cisco, Dane Belton, and Malachi Moore are all grouped at the top there. Cisco, who returned to the Jets on a one-year deal this offseason, could be the one best positioned to reclaim the starting job in 2026.
The safety depth doesn’t stop there. 2026 seventh-round pick VJ Payne is listed as the third-string safety, and second-year defensive back Dean Clark is on the fourth team.
The rookie class, meanwhile, hasn’t broken through to the first team yet. None of the Jets’ 2026 draft picks landed there on the initial chart, though that’s hardly unusual this early. Around the league, rookies often open camp on the second or third team before things settle.
Even so, a few first-year players are firmly in the mix. First-round EDGE David Bailey and first-round wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. are both names to watch as the preseason approaches, and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is listed as the backup nickel back behind veteran Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
There are also a few quieter depth-chart notes worth tracking. Former Browns 2024 seventh-round pick Jowon Briggs is listed on the first team at defensive tackle ahead of former Dallas Cowboys 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith.
DT T’Vondre Sweat and EDGE Joseph Ossai are still dealing with injuries in camp and have both been placed on the fourth team. And Cooper Jr.’s arrival has already nudged 2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith down to the third team at wide receiver.
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Aaron Glenn Addresses Frightening Jets Camp Medical Scare
A routine training camp day turned uneasy for the Jets when cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after a medical scare on the sideline. The episode briefly overshadowed practice, and it quickly became the sort of moment that reminds everyone around camp how fast football can shift from ordinary reps to real concern.
Head coach Aaron Glenn addressed the situation afterward and praised the medical staff for the way they handled it, emphasizing the fast response that followed. Stiggers is still recovering in the hospital, and for the Jets the focus now is on his health first, with everything else at camp taking a back seat until there is more clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Could Still Turn Two Roster Bubble Names Into Draft Value
Darren Mougey has already shown a willingness to squeeze value out of the roster churn, flipping defensive tackles Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips in deals that helped the Jets while also moving Derrick Nnadi. With cutdown day approaching, that history makes it worth watching which fringe names could be next in line if the front office decides to turn a crowded depth chart into something useful.
Two players sit near the center of that conversation: Jamaal Pritchett, the undrafted rookie wideout who flashed enough in the preseason to get noticed, and Andre Cisco, who came back on a new deal after a rocky 2025 season and a pectoral injury. Neither situation is straightforward, and the Jets still have to sort out how each fits against the rest of the roster, which leaves both players in the kind of limbo that can quietly turn into trade interest before the final cuts are made. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Practice Scare Puts Qwantez Stiggers Status In Immediate Doubt
A tense moment interrupted the Jets joint practice with the Buccaneers when cornerback Qwantez Stiggers suddenly collapsed on the sideline and had to be taken to a local hospital. It was the kind of scene that instantly shifts attention away from camp competition and toward the bigger priority, because Stiggers has been battling for a larger role while also contributing on special teams in a crowded cornerback room.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said Stiggers was conscious and talking afterward, which offered some relief after the scare, but his status remains very much in question as the Jets move through camp. For a player trying to carve out defensive snaps, even a brief medical interruption can matter, and the team will be watching closely to see how quickly he can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]