Jets joint practice stock report ahead of preseason opener against Buccaneers

The New York Jets just wrapped up two days of joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and there are plenty of storylines to track throughout.

No. 2 overall pick David Bailey may have distinguished himself as one of the Jets' best players, continuing his dominant run to start training camp, and the offense didn't look great despite early reports of Geno Smith clicking with teammates.

But who stood out the most over Tuesday and Wednesday's intrasquad practices? Did any Jets players improve their standing ahead of the preseason opener on Friday night?

Risers and fallers from New York Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers joint practice

David Bailey, Edge

There was arguably no bigger standout than the Jets rookie pass rusher throughout joint practices. Bailey dominated on Tuesday and continued his reign of terror on opposing Buccaneers offensive linemen on Wednesday.

Reporters on the scene shared on social media channels that Bailey was constantly in Tampa Bay's backfield, and his speed and twitchiness were impossible not to notice. Turn on the Jets podcast host Will Parkinson went so far as to say that Bailey "might be the best player on the field."

Verdict: Stock way up

Geno Smith, QB

There was plenty of reason to be excited about Smith heading into joint practice with the Buccaneers. He had an electric start to training camp, and the Jets seemed primed to take advantage of a weak Tampa Bay secondary that features several young players vying for a starting job.

Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity in front of him, Smith looked like the player who took the field for the Las Vegas Raiders throughout the 2025 season on Tuesday and took some very minor steps forward on Wednesday. Hopefully, the Jets' QB can bounce back in limited action Friday night.

Verdict: Stock down

Dane Belton, Safety

One of the biggest remaining position battles in training camp is at safety for the Jets, and it's currently a three-headed race between veterans Andre Cisco, Dane Belton, and 2025 draft pick Malachi Moore. Throughout joint practice, Belton seemed to separate himself from the pack.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt noted that the former New York Giants draft pick was "all over the field making plays" on Tuesday, and is "clearly the Jets' best option for No. 2 safety." We'll get a clearer picture of the how competiton is going when we see who steps on the field first for New York on Friday.

Verdict: Stock up

Andre Cisco, safety

On the other side of Belton's rise, the Jets' incumbent starting option at safety, Cisco, continues to disappoint. Despite starting the season at the top of the depth chart alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick, the veteran defensive back just cannot seem to keep up with the play-making Belton.

Cisco gave up multiple touchdowns over the last two days and seems to really be falling out of favor with the Jets coaching staff. It seems clear he'll be serving in a reserve role at best. We'll see if Moore can supplant him as the primary backup at safety.

Verdict: Stock down

Mason Taylor, TE

With Kenyon Sadiq sidelined for the remainder of training camp rehabbing from a setback stemming from his hernia surgery, Mason Taylor has stepped in as the de facto No. 1 option at tight end, and he's taking advantage of it.

He hasn't been the game-changing dynamic playmaker that Sadiq is supposed to be for New York's offense, but Sports Illustrated's Nick Faria pointed out that Taylor is steadily improving week-by-week, and is starting to depict the player head coach Aaron Glenn tabbed as a breakout candidate earlier in the offseason.

Verdict: Stock up

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