What I'm Seeing in Jets' Position Battles Heading Into Final Week of Training Camp (Including Who's Leading)

We're through two weeks of NFL preseason action, and the Jets are getting closer to knowing which position battles are at an end and which ones seem to just be getting started.

When camp first began, New York had clear battles going on at safety, receiver, kicker, and cornerback. While there is still a preseason game left to play and a few camp practices left, the Jets should approve of where each battle is.

Let's get to some of those updates now as the Jets head into the last week of the NFL preseason.

Safety: Andre Cisco vs. Dane Belton

Leader: Dane Belton

This contest hasn't been so much a position battle as it has been a domination by one player. Dane Belton was signed in free agency after a breakout performance the previous year with the Giants. New York wanted him to compete for the starting job opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick with Andre Cisco.

Through two preseason games and weeks of camp, Belton is firmly in command of winning the job. His physicality, tackling ability, and improved coverage skills have caught New York's eye. Cisco did come through with an interception during the Jets' preseason win on Friday, but his role seems to be best served as the third safety in the defense. Not as an every-down starter.

Kicker: Cade York vs. Jason Sanders

Leader: Jason Sanders

This battle may not be over. But if there's a current standing of who is in the lead, Jason Sanders would be my pick. The former Miami Dolphin All-Pro made his lone kick on Friday and has been consistent over the last week of practice.

The same cannot be said for Cade York. While he missed a very difficult 59-yard kick, a miss like that in Friday's game puts him behind in a position battle. He has also gone through his fair share of misses over the last few practices.

Cade York holds a football. — Cade York doesn't have a lot of time remaining if he wants to prove his worth to the Jets. Can he save his job? | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Things can, and probably will, change over the next few weeks, but it seems more likely now that Sanders will win the job.

Cornerback: Nahshon Wright vs. AZ Thomas

Leader: AZ Thomas

Nahshon Wright has been dealing with an injury over the last few weeks, and that has opened the door to AZ Thomas putting the finishing touches on the position battle at cornerback opposite Brandon Stephens.

Has Thomas done enough, though?

That remains to be seen. While his size and physical nature are both seamless fits in the scheme head coach Aaron Glenn wants to run, the lack of speed and an over-aggressive nature all tend to be hindrances to Thomas' game.

As of now, I would say Thomas has won this position battle. But I would argue it has more to do with Wright's injury, more than Thomas's play, that has gotten us to this conclusion.

Bones WR3: Omar Cooper Jr. vs. Isaiah Williams

Leader: Omar Cooper Jr.

Plenty of Jets fans were put into a panic last week when Isaiah Williams, New York's special teams ace, was seen in snaps with the first team ahead of the team's first-round rookie. That panic lasted all of around five days.

Omar Cooper Jr. was seen running with the first-team offense in Friday's game, a clear indication that his prior standing was to allow the game to slow down for him. It was never an indication of the Jets seemingly not being pleased with his work.

I would expect Williams to still get plenty of reps with the starting offense, but as for who will be the third receiver option for the offense, my bet is still with Cooper.

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