3 Jets Are Thriving (While 2 Struggle) in Training Camp: Bailey, McDonald Heading in Opposite Directions

Here's who does (and doesn't) have momentum on their side.

Will McDonald IV has had a training camp to forget while it's been the opposite for Jets rookie David Bailey. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Looking back at the first two weeks of the Jets' training camp, fans should feel encouraged and optimistic about how the team looks heading into joint practices and their first preseason opener vs. the Buccaneers on Friday. 

The position battles have been highly competitive, the revamped defensive line continues to impress, and Geno Smith has provided stability and hope at the quarterback position. 

While this year’s training camp looked significantly more promising than the previous few, it also had its share of struggles. The battle for the QB2 spot has been underwhelming, while the secondary hasn’t played up to expectations. 

As the Jets head into the third week of training camp, let’s dive into the three Jets who are thriving and the two who are struggling. 

Thriving: David Bailey, EDGE

No one has shined brighter than David Bailey in the first two weeks. 

The former Texas Tech Raider has been everything and more than what fans expected him to be when the team selected him with the second pick in this year’s draft. So far, he’s stood out as one of the best defensive players in the practices, consistently creating pressure against Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu. 

While his elite explosiveness and arsenal of pass-rush moves have stood out the most over the course of camp, all eyes have been on the rookie’s play against the run. Although Bailey wasn’t regarded as a bad run-defender in college, earning a 76.4 run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus, last season, it’s widely viewed as an area he must develop in. 

From last Saturday’s practice, it appears Bailey has shown signs of improvement in containing the run on the edge. Jets OnSI’s Nick Faria also noted that his run defense took a “step in the right direction," which is an encouraging sign. 

Struggling: Will McDonald IV, EDGE

The 2026 season is an extremely important one for Will McDonald IV, as he’s eligible to sign a contract extension next offseason. However, the former 2023 first-round selection has gotten off on the wrong foot. 

One of the areas McDonald needed to improve upon was as a run-defender, as he posted a41.6 run-defense grade last season, ranking 112th among 115 qualifying edge rushers. Through the first two weeks, McDonald has remained relatively quiet in this area.

The four-year veteran was also expected to be New York’s best pass-rusher. Instead, both Bailey and Kingsley Enagbare have been putting more pressure on the quarterback and have been more productive than McDonald. 

If McDonald wants to earn a lucrative extension next offseason, he’ll need to become a consistent contributor against the run while replicating the pressure production he showed in the 2024 season. 

Thriving: Omar Cooper Jr., WR

There were several reasons why the Jets traded back into the first round to select Omar Cooper Jr, and the former Hoosiers receiver continues to show why New York was so eager to get him. 

Cooper has flashed his playmaking ability and stretch-field potential throughout camp, as he’s already emerged as a down-field target for Smith. His electric 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed, combined with his refined route-running, gives him the tools to be a dangerous receiver alongside Garrett Wilson. 

Omar Cooper Jr. is exceeding expectations in his first training camp with the Jets. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Jets desperately needed more explosiveness in the passing game after finishing last with just 27 completions of 20-plus yards last season. With Cooper in the mix, New York is hoping the rookie can change that. 

While he’s had some up-and-down moments in camp, he’s firmly established himself as the WR2 behind Wilson.

Struggling: Jason Sanders, K

When the Jets claimed Jason Sanders off waivers in June, the assumption was the former 2020 first-team All-Pro kicker would quickly establish himself as the starting kicker. 

Unfortunately for Sanders, that hasn’t happened yet. The kicking job competition between him and Cade York has been one of the more intriguing camp battles, but Sanders hasn’t done enough to separate himself from the battle. 

Although he’s been the more efficient and consistent kicker in the past, he’s struggled to find that consistency in camp. Last Thursday, Sanders converted on just two of his five attempts, missing from 47, 51, and 53 yards, while York nailed three of his four attempts. 

With preseason coming up, Sanders must find his rhythm or risk losing the job to the younger kicker. 

Thriving: Dane Belton, S

When the Jets signed Dane Belton in free agency, hardly anyone anticipated that he would emerge as a legitimate candidate for the starting safety spot alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

But through these first two weeks, Belton has done exactly that. The former 2022 fourth-round pick has had multiple pass breakups, an interception, and has consistently made plays at the line of scrimmage. 

While he’s been one of the few surprises in camp, we shouldn’t be that shocked. Last season, Belton had 120 tackles and forced four turnovers–the same number of takeaways the Jets’ defense produced as a whole. 

If Belton can continue to make plays, he’ll strengthen his case against Andre Cisco and Malachi Moore for the final starting safety spot. 

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