Jets roster battle could turn ruthless ahead of training camp

The New York Jets have several position battles to keep an eye on heading into training camp in late July, and one to keep an eye on is at wide receiver.

Now, it's not like the Jets are still sifting through for their starters. Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell can practically be written in ink as Geno Smith's No.1 and No. 2 receiving options. Behind them, first-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr. and Tim Patrick are their primary backups.

But NFL teams typically carry at least six wide receivers on their final 53-man roster, and the Jets currently have 12 on their 90-man offseason roster.

Of those remaining eight, who has the best chance of making a good impression this summer and forcing the Jets' hands in keeping them for the season?

Jets wide receiver training camp competition could turn ruthless

The Jets have several legitimate options who could make those two spots, but the favorites have to be 2025 fourth-round draft pick Arian Smith and special teams ace Isaiah Williams.

Considering the other wideouts, Jamaal Pritchett, Caullin Lacy, Malik McClain, and DT Sheffield are all undrafted free agents; they'll likely be waived after training camp, with a few catching on to New York's practice squad.

But when it comes to Williams and Smith, both have their own specific reasons for being the Jets' WR5 and WR6, respectively.

Williams, for starters, was the Jets team MVP last season. He was an elite returner on special teams, returning 28 punts for 396 yards and two touchdowns.

This offseason, he's been training with Olympic athletes, trying to get faster. It seems like Williams is interested in trying to carve out a bigger role for himself within the Jets' offense.

Smith, on the other hand, is likely to make the roster for all of the worst reasons. The 110th overall pick in last year's draft was underwhelming in his rookie season, to say the least.

He caught only seven passes for 52 yards and struggled to get on the field. He saw some use as a gunner on special teams late in the year, but that is not what he was drafted for.

Cutting Smith would be admitting defeat on a draft pick from Darren Mougey's inagural class, and he surely he and Aaron Glenn don't want to do that just yet.

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