Jets position battles: Who impressed most in preseason opener?

The Jets – and every other NFL team – have to reduce their 90-man roster to just 53 players before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30.

In this context, Friday night’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have revealed some early status updates on key position battles across the team’s depth chart.

Running Back (RB)

During practice on Monday, Breece Hallsustained a non-contact injury which, according to SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes, is a minor groin issue. A big sigh of relief for sure, as Hall is expected to be able to suit up as the team’s starting running back in Week 1 against the Titans on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Regardless, running back depth is extremely important for the Jets, especially given the fact that Hall tore his ACL and meniscus in 2022.

With this in mind, it’s clear that the battle for RB2 on the roster is between third-year running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Drafted a round apart in 2024, Davis had more carries (43 to Allen’s 18), yards per carry (5.5 to Allen’s 4.2), and receptions (21 to Allen’s 2) in the 2025 season. However, at the moment, it seems Allen has the better spot on the depth chart. Against the Bucs on Friday, Allen made the most of his four carries (tied for most on the night with Hall), racking up 44 yards and a touchdown on a smooth 31-yard run.

Meanwhile, Davis didn’t get a single touch, as he was sidelined with a knee injury.

Allen, still just 22 years old, outlined the Jets’ mentality when it comes to the team’s running back room, as relayed to them by offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

“We want the load on our shoulders. Coach Reich said we’re going to run the ball [a lot].”

Braelon Allen is GONE! 0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/n8djDoAyeM

— SNY Jets (@snyjets) August 14, 2026

Cornerback (CB)

Ever since the team traded star cover corner Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in Nov. 2025, it’s been an open secret that the Jets’ secondary would look a whole lot different in 2026, especially at the cornerback position.

With plenty of snaps up for grabs, two players have stepped to the forefront to stake their claim: Azareye’h Thomas and Mory Bamba.

Thomas, who now wears the Jets’ No. 1 jersey Gardner once donned, was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He featured in 12 games during his rookie season, tallying seven pass deflections and 22 total tackles, but his season was ended early due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins.

This season, Thomas is challenging for a starting role as a boundary cornerback, battling two veterans, Nashon Wright and Brandon Stephens. Thomas recorded a pass deflection and a tackle against Tampa Bay.

Wright ended the 2025 season, in which he featured for the Chicago Bears, with a league-leading eight takeaways, consisting of five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He also forced two fumbles and broke up 11 passes en route to a Pro Bowl alternate selection. Stephens – who signed a three-year, $36 million free agent contract with the Jets ahead of the 2025 season – enjoyed a very solid first season with Gang Green, playing in 16 games and making 73 total tackles.

There’s no doubt that Thomas will have a role for defensive coordinator Brian Duker; the question is just how big that role will be.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Bamba made a strong case for a roster spot in the Jets cornerback room in the team’s preseason opener.

Bamba, who spent four seasons at BYU after transferring as a junior college graduate, went undrafted in 2026, signing with the Jets as a free agent on April 26. He grabbed the attention of the fanbase against the Bucs, wearing the jersey and recording a whopping four pass deflections and five total tackles. 

“He’s the one that really stands out,” said head coach Aaron Glenn of Bamba’s performance. “It’s not just what he did on defense, he had some good plays on special teams too… he showed out tonight.”

Bamba’s main competitors for a roster spot at cornerback include Qwan’tez Stiggers, Samuel Womack III,and Tre Brown, among others.

Aaron Glenn was asked about Mory Bamba’s play tonight:

“Bamba Island?” 😂 pic.twitter.com/AvVU1yADRh

— SNY Jets (@snyjets) August 15, 2026