The New York Jets open training camp for rookies on Saturday, July 25, and for vets on Tuesday, July 28 — making it a perfect time for our Second Annual Gang Green Top 20.
The Top 20 list is almost unrecognizable compared to last season with nine players having left for less green pastures — including four of the top five. Of course, the turnover makes sense after a 3-14 season in GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn’s maiden voyage.
Here’s who the Jets will be counting on in 2026.
ALL-PRO POTENTIAL
- Garrett Wilson, WR (25)
- Breece Hall, RB (25)
Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall have been flirting with stardom since they were drafted in 2022 alongside the since departed Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts) and Jermaine Johnson (Tennessee Titans). Ironically, both of those player made Pro Bowls as Jets while Wilson and Hall have maxed out as Pro Bowl alternates (Wilson in 2022/2024 and Hall in 2026).
Now veterans going into their fifth seasons, both players seem poised to break out under a new offensive coordinator and alongside a competent, albeit inconsistent, veteran QB.
(2025: #1-Quinnen Williams, #2-Garrett Wilson, #3-Sauce Gardner, #4-Quincy Williams)
PRO BOWL POTENTIAL
- Will McDonald, DE (27)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S (29)
- Demario Davis, LB (37)
#3 overall admittedly seems high for Will McDonald considering he was barely noticeable in the majority of the games he played last year. As a matter of fact, he garnered 7 of his 8 sacks in just three games:
- 2 sacks in the close opening day loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (9/7)
- 1 sack in the season’s first win against the Cincinnati Bengals (10/26)
- 4 sacks in the Jets win over the Cleveland Browns (11/9)
In fairness, the Jets were outscored 413-200 in their other 14 games, not giving any of their defenders an opportunity to pin their ears back and attack. This season, with Glenn and DC Brian Duker running the defense, the hope is that the games will be more competitive giving McDonald a chance to take the next step.
Plus, he is in his contract year and will be supported by two proven defensive leaders. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a veteran of five Pro Bowls, and has been named to three All-Pro teams. Demario Davis has played in two Pro Bowls, and been named first-team All-Pro once, and second team All-Pro four times.
(2025: #5-Alijah Vera-Tucker, #6 Will McDonald, #7-Jamien Sherwood, #8-Breece Hall, #9-Jermaine Johnson, #10-Michael Carter II)
UP-N-COMING
- Armand Membou, RT (22)
- Joe Tippmann, RG (25)
- Olu Fashanu, LT (23)
- Mason Taylor, TE (22)
All four players flashed in 2025 and the Jets’ brass is expecting them to take the next step in what will be year four for Joe Tippmann, year three for Olu Fashanu, and year two for both Armand Membou and Mason Taylor.
(2025: #11-Joe Tippmann, #12-Olu Fashanu)
SOMETHING TO PROVE
- AD Mitchell, WR (23)
- Jamien Sherwood, LB (26)
- T’Vondre Sweat, DT (24)
- Brandon Stephens, CB (28)
- Geno Smith, QB (35)
Based on media coverage alone, AD Mitchell was the star of Gang Green’s offseason program. The former second-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts is the favorite to start alongside Wilson. Meanwhile, Jamien Sherwood should benefit from Davis taking over defensive play-calling. In 2024 Sherwood was considered a budding star, can he bounce back?
Putting the rookies aside, Sweat’s size and run-stuffing ability is the biggest wild-card for the Jets defense. Stephens and free agent pickup Nahshon Wright provide a veteran presence at corner while youngsters Jarvis Brownlee Jr, Azareye’h Thomas, and rookie D’Angelo Ponds push for playing time.
Originally, I had Geno Smith much higher on this list. But now that he has had his third brush with the law this offseason, I’m just hoping he makes it to Florham Park before being sent to jail.
(2025: #13-John Simpson, #14-Justin Fields, #15-Andre Cisco, #16-Brandon Stephens)
ALL-ROOKIE POTENTIAL
- David Bailey, DE (22)
- D’Angelo Ponds, CB (21)
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE (21)
- Omar Cooper Jr, WR (22)
April’s draft class has generated a lot of hope for the future and hype for this season. Read more about each of their top 4 draft picks here.
(2025: #17-Armand Membou, #18-Mason Taylor)
BEST OF THE REST
- Isaiah Williams, WR/PR/KR (25)
- Jowon Briggs, DT (24)
Following the departures of Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Quincy Williams, and Quinnen Williams, the top of this list is understandably not as strong as in 2025. However, the depth has improved to the point where it was much harder to fill out the “Best of the Rest”.
We decided on Isaiah Williams due to his team MVP kick and punt return efforts in 2025, and Jowon Briggs because he flashed potential as an inside pass rusher. But we could easily have chosen Braelon Allen, Austin McNamara, Josh Myers, Joseph Ossai, Dylan Parham, or Harrison Phillips for either of these two final spots.
(2025: #19-Braelon Allen, #20-Tyrod Taylor)
ICYMI “4 Things Jets: What’s Left and 2026 Projected Starters”