Jets Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut

The New York Jets have to find success in 2024.

A lot of jobs are on the line with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

The competition for the final spots on the 53-man roster will be where the difficult decisions potentially start for the franchise.

The Jets' wide receiver room is now deep enough where they might consider cutting one of their biggest signings to go along with Rodgers.

The wide receiver competition could also cut a promising player out of the mix as well at the expense of veteran pass-catchers.

At running back, the Jets added two players through the 2024 NFL draft to create a three-way competition to be Breece Hall's backup.

Jason Brownlee

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Jason Brownlee #16 of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Jason Brownlee turned in some promising moments during the chaotic 2023 season in which the Jets could not find a reliable backup quarterback.

Brownlee only had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, so it's not like he blew anyone away with consistency.

However, his speed and skill set are intriguing to keep around as a project for the future behind Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson and Malachi Corley.

The problem for Brownlee is that he will be in direct competition with Allen Lazard, whose connection with Rodgers from Green Bay may be enough to keep him on the roster.

Brownlee could try to make a name for himself in the return game so that Gipson can worry more about the No. 3 wide out competition, but his path to the 53-man roster looks complicated whichever way you spin it.

Allen Lazard

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 24: Allen Lazard #10 of the New York Jets before a game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Allen Lazard only had 311 receiving yards and one touchdown in his debut season for the Jets.

Lazard appeared in 14 games, but he did not have catch in four of the last five regular-season games.

The four-year, $44 million deal Lazard signed last offseason looks like a bad contract right now, and it may be hard for the Jets to justify cutting that big of a salary.

Lazard could turn things around with his long-time quarterback returning to the field. That is probably what the Jets are banking on.

However, you could make an argument the Jets do not need Lazard if he underwhelms in preseason.

Wilson, Williams and Corley are likely the top three wide outs, and if Gipson and Brownlee show enough promise, a roster squeeze out could happen for Lazard.

Israel Abanikanda

Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 7: Israel Abanikanda #25 of the New York Jets runs onto the field prior to the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Israel Abanikanda was placed in a tough spot once the Jets selected two running backs in the 2024 draft.

Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will fight with Abanikanda for the two roster spots beneath Breece Hall on the depth chart.

Abanikanda only had 70 rushing yards on 22 carries last season, so there is not much of a foundation for the coaching staff to evaluate.

The three-way competition between Allen, Davis and Abanikanda will be one of the closest-watched battles in Jets training camp.

Abanikanda is not guaranteed of his roster spot, but if he performs well enough, he could put one of the rookies under threat of missing out on the 53-man squad instead of him.