5 Jets with most to play for in preseason finale vs. Eagles

After a long and eventful offseason under new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, the Jets have finally reached the final big moment before the start of the regular season. Saturday night’s preseason finale against the Eagles won’t be a chance for the starters to get more comfortable – Glenn already revealed that this game will be mostly about the guys fighting for roster spots and position battles.

And that’s why this is a make or break game for some of the most vulnerable players on the Jets roster, as they try to prove they can bring something of value to this team, or any team, during the regular season.

So who has the most to play for on Friday night against the Eagles? Here are five players to watch.

WR Quentin Skinner

He was the Jets’ most intriguing undrafted free-agent pickup this offseason, and he is starting to show why in the last few weeks, with big plays in each of the preseason games – including a memorable, diving touchdown catch against the Giants and several highlight reel catches in practice. Skinner is still a bit of a longshot to make the 53-man roster given the more established players ahead of him on the depth chart. However, one more big game could catch the attention of other teams and make the Jets feel uncomfortable about trying to pass him through waivers. So Friday night has the potential to be a game changer for Skinner.

WR/PR Xavier Gipson

Two years ago, Gipson was a feel-good story in a high-profile training camp as the Jets got used to life under Aaron Rodgers. And Gipson had the highlight on the day Rodgers tore his Achilles four snaps into his debut, winning the game with a walk-off punt return for a touchdown. This training camp has been an uphill battle from the start, with Gipson in and out of the lineup with a shoulder injury he first suffered in early August. He appeared to reinjure the shoulder in last week’s game, but was back in practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jamaal Pritchett has had the stronger camp as a receiver and returner. Can Gipson come up clutch against the Eagles and give the Jets something to think about?

DT Leonard Taylor III

His talent is undeniable. But his roster spot is far from secure, especially after the Jets added two defensive tackles via trade this week – including a likely new starter in former Minnesota run stopper Harrison Phillips. Taylor is still in a place where he could grab a roster spot as the fifth defensive tackle. But a strong performance would surely help his cause. Not just with the decision mkers in Florham Park, but around the league if he ends up getting waived next week.

WR Malachi Corley

This can’t be how Corley – an early third-round pick just last year – envisioned his second offseason and training camp with the Jets. He missed almost all of the offseason workout program with an injury and has been a non-factor during training camp. It’s hard to imagine him doing anything that would change his standing with the Jets at this point – he has failed to crack the lineup for meaningful reps throughout camp. But this is a chance for him to showcase his talent to the rest of the league and potentially earn a shot from another team.

DL Eric Watts

Watts is another defensive lineman who flashed enough in last year’s training camp to earn a role, but has slid down the depth chart this spring and summer without making the same kind of impact. At this point it’s hard to see him making the 53-man roster. But Watts is still playing for a chance to show that he can make an impact, and perhaps to convince another team that he’s worth taking a shot at having on the 53-man roster.

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Andy Vasquez may be reached at [email protected].