Jets training camp practices will commence following the team's strength and conditioning program as players will compete on the field for 53 spots. Head coach Adam Gase believes the depth of the roster has improved, which should result in stronger competition across the board. Here are three position battles to watch throughout camp:
Offensive Line
General manager Joe Douglas overhauled the offensive line throughout the offseason, so it's fitting to start up front. The Jets have seven new linemen – Connor McGovern, George Fant, Greg Van Roten, Josh Andrews, Mekhi Becton, Cameron Clark and Jared Hilbers – to go along with returnees Alex Lewis, Brian Winters, Jonotthan Harrison and Chuma Edoga among others. Almost all have experience playing multiple positions, which OL coach Frank Pollack described as "critical." Pollack will start the best five in Week 1, but the group needs to make up for lost time this spring because a successful OL needs chemistry.
"We don't need five individuals, we need five guys playing as one," he said. "We are the ultimate judged-as-a-unit group. My expectations right out of the gate are to develop that cohesiveness where we can execute as one and not as five individuals as we start stacking the weeks, keep improving and keeping that arrow up and never flattening out.
"There are three things from a grading standpoint — assignment, finish and effort. Finish and effort come from a player individually. The technique is really the hardest thing for a guy to master and that's usually your lowest grade on a weekly basis. That's fine-tuning and building on that on a weekly basis."
Wide Receiver
Similar to the cornerbacks, the slot is in good hands. Jamison Crowder emerged as QB Sam Darnold's go-to target last year, leading the team in receptions (78), receiving yards (833) and touchdowns (6). Speedster Robby Anderson is now with the Panthers, but the Jets brought in a pair of burners in Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims. Outside of Crowder, those competing for starting roles will be Perriman, Mims, Josh Doctson, Braxton Berrios and Vyncint Smith, among others.
"That's a coach's dream to have so much talent and competition," WRs coach Shawn Jefferson said. "It's going to be fierce competition with all those guys vying to get on the field."
Offensive Line
General manager Joe Douglas overhauled the offensive line throughout the offseason, so it's fitting to start up front. The Jets have seven new linemen – Connor McGovern, George Fant, Greg Van Roten, Josh Andrews, Mekhi Becton, Cameron Clark and Jared Hilbers – to go along with returnees Alex Lewis, Brian Winters, Jonotthan Harrison and Chuma Edoga among others. Almost all have experience playing multiple positions, which OL coach Frank Pollack described as "critical." Pollack will start the best five in Week 1, but the group needs to make up for lost time this spring because a successful OL needs chemistry.
"We don't need five individuals, we need five guys playing as one," he said. "We are the ultimate judged-as-a-unit group. My expectations right out of the gate are to develop that cohesiveness where we can execute as one and not as five individuals as we start stacking the weeks, keep improving and keeping that arrow up and never flattening out.
"There are three things from a grading standpoint — assignment, finish and effort. Finish and effort come from a player individually. The technique is really the hardest thing for a guy to master and that's usually your lowest grade on a weekly basis. That's fine-tuning and building on that on a weekly basis."
Wide Receiver
Similar to the cornerbacks, the slot is in good hands. Jamison Crowder emerged as QB Sam Darnold's go-to target last year, leading the team in receptions (78), receiving yards (833) and touchdowns (6). Speedster Robby Anderson is now with the Panthers, but the Jets brought in a pair of burners in Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims. Outside of Crowder, those competing for starting roles will be Perriman, Mims, Josh Doctson, Braxton Berrios and Vyncint Smith, among others.
"That's a coach's dream to have so much talent and competition," WRs coach Shawn Jefferson said. "It's going to be fierce competition with all those guys vying to get on the field."