The New York Jets head into their next round of organized team activities as mandatory minicamp begins this week. As head coach Aaron Glenn said during his rookie minicamp, “if you’re here, you have a shot.” That mantra not only goes for the rookies trying to make the team, but for the veterans who are looking to keep their spot.
This is the final OTA workouts before training camp begins with rookies reporting on July 18 and veterans on July 23. There will be plenty of competition at different positions and certain players will have to start impressing the coaching staff if they want to stay on the team.
With that, here are five players on the roster bubble to watch for we get closer to the start of the season:
Allen Lazard
Lazard took a pay cut to stay in New York instead of being released, so it sounds like he wants to play for Glenn this season. Josh Reynolds is the favorite to be WR2 opposite Garrett Wilson, but Lazard still adds value as a veteran receiver on this very young Jets roster. He’ll have some competition from Tyler Johnson, Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson and the team’s fourth round pick, Arian Smith. But, a strong summer from Lazard could be a win-win for his future. He either plays a bigger role in Tanner Engstrand’s offense or he’ll generate interest from other teams in a potential trade.
Micheal Clemons
It’s still a bit of a shock that Clemons is on the roster given how poorly he played last year. He was undisciplined, got manhandled by opposing linemen and let’s not forget his antics off the field. He was absent from last week’s OTA’s with Glenn simply saying that they weren’t mandatory. That doesn’t sound like a coach who is very confident in the player nor excited for what he may be able to bring to the defense. The odds are stacked against Clemons as he’s done little to nothing in four seasons in New York. Once a fan favorite, he’s now hanging on by a thread and will need nothing short of a flawless preseason to remain with the team.
Jeremy Ruckert
It’s unlikely that Ruckert’s spot is in any serious jeopardy, but it’s no secret that he’s been disappointing since being drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft. He didn’t get much time to shine in the offense under Robert Saleh, but Aaron Glenn likes his potential saying, “There’s a lot of meat on the bone with that player.” The Jets drafted Mason Taylor in the second round and he’s the favorite to be the starting tight end. They’ve also been linked as a potential landing spot for Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts and Baltimore’s Mark Andrews should either become available in a trade. Ruckert has the ability. It’s time for him to start showing it.
Malachi Corley
While it’s easy to understand why Corley had trouble getting on the field last season after the Jets acquired Davante Adams, it was also baffling how the Jets coaching staff had no plan whatsoever on how to use the YAC king in their game plan on offense. Glenn said during last week’s OTA’s that there is a plan for Corley in this offense. But, he didn’t participate last week due to injury and as the old adage goes, “You can’t make the club if you’re in the tub.” It would be a risky move to cut Corley in only his second season. But, Glenn didn’t draft Corley and he’ll need to show plenty of his playmaking ability against a crowded receiver room if he wants to remain with the Jets.
Chukwuma Okorafor
Okorafor was signed to a one-year contract back in March after the Jets lost Morgan Moses to the New England Patriots. For now, he’ll be the swing tackle behind Olu Fashanu and first-round pick, Armand Membou. However, Okorafor’s history should not guarantee him a spot on this roster. He played poorly for both the Patriots and the Steelers and walked out on New England after getting benched during a game. Glenn has confidence that Okorafor has learned from his mistakes, but he’s not an automatic lock to make this team and AG will not hesitate to cut him if old habits return.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 bubble players to watch for during Jets minicamp