Rookie Cade Klubnik surges in the quarterback race while first-round stars fight for starting roles as New York’s defensive secondary undergoes a veteran-led transformation before preseason kickoff.
The 2026-27 NFL season is right around the corner, which means it's time to examine the New York Jets' projected starting lineup before Week One.
This offseason, general manager Darren Mougey added a combination of veterans and rookies to the roster, which should help the struggling franchise make great strides from last year. And with the Jets releasing the first unofficial depth chart on Monday, there are plenty of storylines for fans to look out for leading up to the preseason.
Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Jets' latest unofficial depth chart.
Safety Position Battle
Jun 10, 2026; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive back Malachi Moore (27) and safety Dean Clark (35) participate in a drill during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesThe safety position for the Jets is one of the biggest question marks heading into the upcoming season due to all of the newest additions to the room.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Minkah Fitzpatrick will presumably be New York's starting strong safety, which means the free safety position will be up for grabs. The first unofficial depth chart has veterans Andre Cisco, Dane Belton, and Malachi Moore at the No. 1 spot, but with Cisco returning to the team on a one-year deal this offseason, the 26-year-old could be in line to regain his starting position in 2026.
Outside of the veterans, 2026 seventh-round pick VJ Payne is listed as the third-string safety, while second-year defensive back Dean Clark remains on the fourth team.
Where Do The Rookies Land?
Jul 29, 2026; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (83) participates in a drill during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesTo the surprise of many, none of the Jets' rookies from the 2026 NFL Draft class are featured on the first team.
However, do not fret. Looking across the entire NFL, it's common for teams to place their rookies on the second or third team in the first unofficial depth chart. Instead, the question should become: which rookies should crack the starting lineup in Week One?
Both first-round picks in EDGE David Bailey and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. will likely be in the mix to start this season, as the two rising stars continue to blossom throughout training camp. The most interesting newcomer, however, will be cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, who is currently slated to be the backup nickel back behind veteran Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
Who Will Be The Jets' QB2?
Jul 29, 2026; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterbacks Geno Smith (7), Bailey Zappe (11) and Cade Klubnik (10) warm up during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesWhile it's clear that former 2013 second-round pick Geno Smith will be the team's starting quarterback this season, the race for the backup quarterback position remains tight between 2026 fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik and second-year quarterback Brady Cook.
Despite being a rookie, Klubnik has managed to secure the QB2 spot in the first unofficial depth chart. The former Clemson Tigers standout is in a perfect situation to develop under a veteran like Smith in 2026 and will have a chance to compete for the starting job in 2027 and beyond.
Other Notes
- Former Browns' 2024 seventh-round pick Jowon Briggs should have a larger role on defense in 2026. Briggs was listed on the first team over former Dallas Cowboys' 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith.
- DT T'Vondre Sweat and EDGE Joseph Ossai continue to deal with injuries throughout camp, prompting them to be listed on the fourth team.
- The arrival of Cooper Jr. has already had an impact on the wide receiver room. 2025 fourth-round pick Arian Smith is listed on the third team.
