5 Players Close to the Cutting Board for the 2013 New York Jets

May 22, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Joe McKnight (25) runs with the ball during the New York Jets organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Just a few more weeks until training camp opens up in Cortland, and in Florham Park. There will be many decisions to be made about this team in the coming weeks. It will get interesting, that’s for sure. New system on offense, who stays? Who goes?

So, instead of waiting to find out who is going to stay or go, let’s speculate. That’s more fun isn’t it? It’s far more enjoyable to start discussing these issues ahead of time. So, here are five names, some well-known, some not so much, that will be on the bubble come the end of camp. They will be the last names lingering on the board with the ultimate decision that is needed to be made:

JOE MCKNIGHT This one will not thrill fans, at least not all of them. Most of us want to see what can happen getting Joe out in space. His numbers have been good when he gets the chance to play, but he never gets the chance to play. Now, with Chris Ivory, Mike Goodson (maybe), and Bilal Powell, McKnight could be the odd man out. It will be interesting to see whether the new offensive staff takes a different look at Joe.

DAMON HARRISON Another fan favorite, although he has only played a down or two with the team. He interacts with the fanbase on twitter, and if you follow him, you know that he is one of the must humble players you will ever come across. The problem is his position, defensive line. If you ever are going to say that the Jets are deep at a position, it is defensive line. It just makes life tougher for a guy trying to make this team.

HAYDEN SMITH Here is a guy that deserves every chance to make this team. Coming from knowing nothing about the game of football, to a place where his performance was commended by the end of last year is just extraordinary. The Jets have not left the cupboard empty with TE, with Jeff Cumberland, Mike Shanahan, Chris Pantale, and Konrad Reuland. I am not saying that Smith can’t do it, I am just saying it is another spot with a log jam, so he will be on the bubble.

RYAN QUIGLEY A punter was nowhere near the top of any list of Jets’ needs, but you know John Idzik and competition. Just a guy to give Malone a run for his money, he won’t make the team.

CLYDE GATES Clyde will be close, simply because there are a lot of wide receivers in camp. However, Clyde is the smallest one not named Jeremy Kerley. He never showed really anything to get himself a spot this year, and that should continue come training camp.

Sound off. What do you guys think?