NY Jets: 4 players whose stock is falling following preseason Week 2

The NY Jets are now less than three weeks away from the start of the regular season. Two preseason games are in the books leaving just one to go.

For a number of players fighting for roster spots and/or competing for starting jobs, the next week or so will be crucial as they look to make one final impression on the coaching staff.

The Jets emerged victorious in their first preseason outing topping the NY Giants in the annual "Snoopy Bowl" by a final score of 12-7. And they remained undefeated following a 23-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers this past Saturday.

Through two preseason games, we're beginning to get a much better feel for this Jets roster. Roles are being established, playing time is being determined, and the 53-man roster picture is getting clearer.

Just like in Week 1, this week's preseason game saw a number of players shine and improve their stock.

Zach Wilson made a statement with a phenomenal showing against Green Bay's reserves. Players like Corey Davis and Tyler Kroft made their presence felt on offense. Matt Ammendola made his case to be the Jets' Week 1 with a strong performance.

But just as there were plenty of standouts, a few less fortunate players didn't find the same success.

Let's take a look at four players whose stock is falling following the Jets' second preseason game.

4. Chris Herndon, TE, NY Jets

Chris Herndon looked to be on the verge of becoming one of the better young tight ends in the NFL after a promising rookie season. But now three years later, Herndon's success is ancient in NFL years.

Following an injury-riddled 2019 season and an abysmal 2020 campaign, Herndon entered the spring as the de facto returning starter for the Jets.

It didn't take long for him to start losing out reps to Tyler Kroft and Ryan Griffin, however. At this stage, he's firmly entrenched in a backup role.

And if the Jets had any sort of talent at the tight end position, we'd likely be talking about Herndon as a possible cut candidate. Fortunately for him, his counterparts haven't done much to stand out either.

Kroft has been the best tight end in Jets' training camp and his two-touchdown performance on Saturday likely solidified his starting role. As for Herndon, it was another quiet day for the former Miami star.

Herndon hauled in just one pass for five yards bringing his preseason total to a whopping two catches. He just looks like another guy.

Herndon is clearly second on the depth chart behind Kroft and, if Griffin were healthy, he'd likely be struggling to hold onto that role.

His roster spot isn't in jeopardy simply due to a lack of competition, but it's hard to see Herndon having much of a role in 2021 unless he proves that he deserves one.

3. Keelan Cole, WR, NY Jets

When the Jets starting offense took the field on Saturday, there was one surprising omission. Aside from those who sat out with injuries, Jeff Smith's inclusion in the starting lineup likely raised a few eyebrows.

Mostly because Keelan Cole, a player who has been running almost exclusively with the first-team offense this summer, was healthy and active.

Cole found his way into the game in the second half working with the second and third-string receivers. That came as quite the surprise given how good he looked this spring.

But while Cole impressed during OTAs and minicamp, he's had a quite summer. And his placement on the depth chart in Saturday's game was a direct reflection of that.

It's tough to say where Cole fits into the Jets' plans in a healthy wide receiver rotation. The presumption was that he would be the starter on the outside opposite Corey Davis, but that might not be the case anymore.

Perhaps the Jets use Elijah Moore in that spot once he returns from injury. Cole's lackluster summer certainly hasn't done him any favors.

The Jets are still high on Cole, but he got the Denzel Mims treatment on Saturday. The coaching staff is making the wide receivers earn first-team reps.

And Cole will need a strong finish to the summer to regain his starting role.

2. Dan Feeney, OG, NY Jets

The Jets offensive line has struggled in pass protection this summer, largely due to the absence of rookie left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker who remains sidelined with a nagging pectoral injury.

Vera-Tucker's absence has been coupled with the poor play of backup Dan Feeney who had been filling in for the rookie first-round pick in the starting lineup.

Feeney once again got the start on Saturday and struggled mightily. So much so that he was replaced by another backup, Jimmy Murray, before the starters were pulled.

There nothing worse than getting benched in a preseason game.

Feeney returned to the field once the second-team offense came in, but at that point it was clear how the coaching staff saw him. His poor play caught up to him and the Jets had no choice but to pull the plug.

Now, Feeney should still have no issue making the 53-man roster. His 2021 salary is almost fully guaranteed so there isn't really a chance that he gets cut.

But it's evident that the Jets need Vera-Tucker back as soon as possible. Feeney just isn't getting the job done.

1. Isaiah Dunn, CB, NY Jets

Undrafted rookie Isaiah Dunn was given a golden opportunity on Saturday when he earned the start with Blessuan Austin out for personal reasons.

It was a major bode of confidence in Dunn given how well sixth-round pick Brandin Echols had played this summer and considering the fact that Dunn had only recently returned from injury.

Unfortunately, Dunn didn't exactly make the most of his opportunity.

The Packers picked on him early as Dunn was targeted five times on the first three drives. He was tagged with allowing three catches for 41 yards, per Pro Football Focus.

Not ideal given that he was going up against Green Bay's second and third-string wide receivers with Kurt Benkert throwing the ball.

Dunn has been one of the pleasant surprises of the offseason and is very much in the mix for both a roster spot and a starting job. Although it's hard to see him earning the latter after his performance this past weekend.

In fact, he's hardly guaranteed a roster spot either with Bryce Hall, Austin, Echols, Jason Pinnock, Javelin Guidry, and Michael Carter II all probably locks for the 53-man roster.

Dunn needed a strong showing on Saturday to convince the Jets that he deserves a spot on the team and in the starting lineup.

But his poor performance could have ultimately cost him both.