Under-the-radar NY Jets WR emerges as training camp darling following injury

Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the NFL and sports in general, but they also serve to create opportunities for certain players. The NY Jets saw that firsthand on Friday when it comes to wide receiver Malik Taylor.

Second-year wide receiver Xavier Gipson limped off with an apparent leg injury during Thursday's practice and was sidelined on Friday. That opened the door for players like Taylor to receive some work with the first-team offense, and he made the most of his opportunity.

Taylor was the most prominent standout from Friday's Jets training camp practice, hauling in a pair of impressive catches, including the highlight of the day in 7-on-7 drills.

The former undrafted free agent skied high into the air to make a leaping acrobatic catch over rookie Qwan'Tez Stiggers on a deep ball from Tyrod Taylor. The pass was a little underthrown, but Taylor adjusted well to haul in a 50+ yard touchdown, completing one of the most impressive players of the summer to this point.

Taylor later recorded his second touchdown of the day on a five-yard slant from Aaron Rodgers in red-zone drills. The Ferris State product received quite a bit of run with the first-team offense, notably playing ahead of rookie third-round pick Malachi Corley.

Can Malik Taylor make the NY Jets' 53-man roster?

Taylor was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, but he only spent a few weeks with the team before joining the Green Bay Packers for his first summer in the NFL.

Taylor would spend the better part of the next four years with the Packers before joining the Jets' practice squad in late 2022. Yes, this means that Taylor has played the majority of his career with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, although it should be noted that he joined the Jets before Rodgers.

At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Taylor made some noise during training camp last summer and earned a spot on the Jets' practice squad. He was elevated on a few occasions and even hauled in two catches for 13 yards in three games in 2023.

Taylor has his work cut out for him if he's going to earn a roster spot, but he clearly has the trust of both Rodgers and the coaching staff. It's notable that he was the player to receive the biggest uptick in snaps following Gipson's injury, not Corley.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters after practice that Corley still has a "long way to go" with his route running before he can become a regular part of the offense. Right now, Taylor might be ahead of him on the depth chart.

Taylor remains a longshot for the 53-man roster at this time, but he should have an opportunity to continue making his case with Gipson sidelined for the next 1-2 weeks, per Saleh. He's someone to keep an eye on this summer.