Jets Rookie Surprisingly Starts on Bench Ahead of Preseason Opener

The New York Jets released their first unofficial depth chart of training camp on Sunday, August 3.

There were several interesting developments, but none more so than talented rookie tight end Mason Taylor not being listed as a starter.

“Mason Taylor may be considered the top tight end on the roster, but he isn’t the projected starter on the depth chart right now. Jeremy Ruckert has that distinction. The announcement is something of a surprise,” Jets beat reporter Nick Faria said in a column for Jets X-Factor. “Taylor has been more dependable as a receiver and has taken positive steps as a blocker. That hasn’t been enough to put him over Ruckert yet, though.”

Take the Jets Unofficial Depth Chart for What It Is

It’s important to note that we shouldn’t overreact to the depth chart ahead of the first preseason game.

We are only a few weeks into camp, and the full preseason slate still has to happen. Taylor is starting out as a backup; that doesn’t mean he has to finish as one by the time the season rolls around.

What it means is there is still work to do.

“This is one position that may change a lot over the next few weeks,” Faria explained. “Stone Smartt has also played well, but is just third right now on the depth chart. This is a positional quandary that the team will be going back and forth with.”

Center Competition Is Going How the Football Gods Intended It

Heading into the offseason, most Jets fans assumed Joe Tippmann would be the starting center.

There have been plenty of breadcrumbs this offseason that have implied Josh Myers is a legitimate threat to Tippmann.

The early nod goes to Tippmann. On the unofficial depth chart, Tippmann was listed as the starter with Myers following in the rear.

That Didn’t Take Long…

The Jets signed veteran placekicker Nick Folk this week. He has already overtaken Harrison Mevis for the starting gig on the depth chart.

Mevis should channel his inner Ralph Wiggum from “The Simpsons”, “Ha ha! I’m in danger.” He has a job for now on the Jets’ 91-man roster, but it’s fair to wonder how much longer that’ll last.

Mevis has never kicked at the NFL level, and Folk is a longtime veteran who has led the league in field goal conversion rate over the last two seasons.

Unpopular Jets Roster Take

Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks recently said that defensive lineman Micheal Clemons is having an “outstanding” training camp.

Apparently, whoever made the Jets’ first unofficial depth chart agrees. Clemons was listed as the starting defensive end opposite of Will McDonald.

Now it should be noted that Jermaine Johnson remains on the PUP list and thus is ineligible to participate in practice. One would think that when he is fully healthy, that job will belong to him. However, head coach Aaron Glenn has continued to reiterate at his press conferences that they’re thinking long-term with Johnson.

Regardless of when Johnson returns to the lineup, Clemons is clearly going to be a key cog in the defensive line rotation in 2025 whether fans like it or not.

A Shake-up at the LB Spot for the Jets

Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood are the obvious starters at linebacker. However, who would be crowned LB3 was very much in question.

According to the initial depth chart, Marcelino McCrary-Ball has the early edge. He is listed ahead of former first-round pick Jamin Davis, which is a mild surprise.