3 NY Jets who secured a roster spot in preseason loss vs. Buccaneers

The NY Jets have been all over the place in the 2023 preseason, as they followed up a choke in the Hall of Fame game against the Cleveland Browns with a terrific 27-0 domination of the Carolina Panthers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to squeak out a win in the Jets' home preseason opener.

Tampa took home a win in a 13-6 slobber knocker that featured multiple missed field goals, a Zonovan Knight fumble, and a Tim Boyle interception. A fast start orchestrated by Zach Wilson and a solid defensive performance was eventually wasted by poor situational play.

As is always the case, however, the results of this game are immaterial in the grand scheme of things. Figuring out which players can make the roster as quality backups is the main goal that Robert Saleh and the rest of the coaching staff have tried to achieve in this series of exhibitions.

These three players stood out against the Bucs and have impressed with their entire postseason body of work. While nothing is guaranteed until cut day comes, these three players might need to start looking for permanent apartments in New Jersey after impressing coaches and fans alike.

3 NY Jets who locked down roster spots in preseason loss vs. Buccaneers

3. LB Zaire Barnes

Barnes was by no means a lock to make the final roster for the Jets. Not only was he coming off a somewhat average collegiate career at Western Michigan, but he has to compete with a host of young linebackers who were also vying for the role of CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams' top backup.

Barnes was hoovering up tackles early in the Jets' first two preseason games, and he continued to play a big part in shutting down Tampa's running game. Barnes clearly has the edge over a former third-round pick in Chazz Surratt, which should not be overlooked.

Zaire Barnes should make the NY Jets roster.

Barnes' meal ticket was always going to be his speed and range at the linebacker position, which is precisely what Saleh seems to value at that position. Barnes, if nothing else, will be a valued special teams member who ends up eventually carving out a long-term role on one of the coverage teams.

In order to make good on his potential and hold his own when called into service as a linebacker, Barnes will need to add on a few pounds and prove that he can handle the physicality of the professional game in between the tackles. If he can do that, Barnes could be a genuine late-round steal.

2. SAF Trey Dean

Dean was way too talented to go undrafted. A four-year starter who was a former 5-star recruit, Dean's stock slipped due to some poor 40-yard dash times. The Jets saw serious value in him, and he's blossomed to the point where it would be utterly foolish to subject him to waivers.

While Ashtyn Davis, who recorded three tackles for loss, played equally well against Tampa Bay, the numbers and tape that Dean has put up in all three postseason games should give him an edge over the former third-round pick. With range and ferocious hitting ability, Dean has cemented his spot with the Jets.

Trey Dean should be on the NY Jets roster.

While Adrian Amos could end up starting, the veteran DB was poor in his last season with the Packers. Tony Adams has been a star in training camp, but a fellow undrafted free agent safety is guaranteed next to nothing in the pros. Dean has an avenue to real playing time if Davis is released.

Dean will likely be nothing more than a special teams player in his first season in the pros, but it will be hard to keep him off the field if he keeps playing like this. The speed questions will still linger, but his ability to cover ground and hit hard without blazing speed should overrule those worries.

1. WR Jason Brownlee

Both Brownlee and Xavier Gipson have played so well that it seemed like a virtual certainty Joe Douglas will choose to keep six wide receivers on the roster. If the Jets can only afford to keep one of these players, Brownlee's playmaking ability should be enough to give him the edge over Gipson.

Brownlee finished with a team-high 50 yards on four catches, showing that the plays he made in earlier preseason matchups and in practice can be replicated quite frequently in game situations. Even without great speed, Brownlee has shown to be quite effective as a downfield vertical threat.

Jason Brownlee needs to stay with the NY Jets.

While he doesn't have great special teams potential or the ability to be as good in short-yardage YAC situations as Gipson, Aaron Rodgers has often thrived throwing to bigger boundary receivers who can win 50/50 balls. Brownlee could be Rodgers' latest UDFA success story.

With Corey Davis getting older and more injury-prone in addition to Randall Cobb being a shell of his former self, there is a reasonable pathway to playing time for Brownlee in 2023. If he dominates the Giants in the preseason finale, his spot will be all but confirmed.