NY Jets: 4 pleasant surprises from training camp so far

4. Brandin Echols, CB, NY Jets

Perhaps no position remains more wide open than cornerback, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given the inexperienced group the Jets entered training camp with.

As of now, the projected starting duo is Bryce Hall and Blessuan Austin. But they aren't the only two players who have run with the first-team defense.

In consecutive practices, the Jets have allowed both undrafted rookie Isaiah Dunn and sixth-round pick Brandin Echols to work with the starters. And both players have impressed.

Echols was inserted opposite Austin on Wednesday and while he got beat by Elijah Moore (who else?) for a 30-yard gain on his first play, he bounced back and put together a very solid practice.

The Kentucky product recorded the first interception of training camp last week — a pick-six while defending against the Jets' de facto No. 1 wide receiver, Corey Davis.

Dunn has also impressed, but his strong summer is less surprising given how well he played in spring practices. But make no mistake about it, Dunn is very much in the mix for not only a roster spot, but a starting job.

Echols has seemingly surpassed fifth-round pick Jason Pinnock who has mostly been working with the second and third-team defense opposite Lamar Jackson.

Pinnock and Dunn received the majority of first-team reps opposite Bryce Hall with Austin sidelined during OTAs and minicamp. But now, Echols has clearly worked his way into the mix.

He has a chance to earn the starting job coming out of training camp, something few probably expected a few weeks ago.