The New York Jets still have some sorting to do before training camp opens in late July, and the wide receiver room looks like one of the cleanest fights on the roster.
Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell are locked in as Geno Smith’s top two targets. Omar Cooper Jr., the first-round rookie, and Tim Patrick sit behind them as the main depth pieces. But with NFL teams usually keeping at least six receivers on the final 53-man roster, the real question is who grabs the last two spots.
Right now, the Jets have 12 wideouts on the 90-man offseason roster, which leaves eight players chasing limited room. The best bets to make noise this summer are 2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith and special teams standout Isaiah Williams.
That leaves a group of undrafted free agents - Jamaal Pritchett, Caullin Lacy, Malik McClain and DT Sheffield - fighting an uphill battle. They’re likely headed for waivers after camp, though a few could land on the practice squad.
Williams has already given the Jets a reason to trust him. He was the team MVP last season, and his value came on special teams, where he returned 28 punts for 396 yards and two touchdowns. This offseason, he’s been working out with Olympic athletes in an effort to get faster, and he appears to be trying to push for a bigger role on offense as well.
Smith’s case is different. The 110th overall pick in last year’s draft is in position to stick, but for reasons the Jets probably didn’t want when they selected him.
His rookie year was quiet, producing only seven catches for 52 yards while struggling to earn snaps. He did see some time late in the season as a gunner on special teams, but that’s not the role he was drafted to fill.
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