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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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NFL teams have wrapped up their respective organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps, and after a near month-long break, they’ll pick things back up near the end of July for training camp.
The first preseason game takes place on Thursday, Aug. 6 on NBC when the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals face off in the Hall of Fame Game. The rest of the preseason’s first week will take place from Aug. 13-15, followed by Week 2 on Aug. 20-23, and Week 3 on Aug. 27-29.
But before the preseason gets underway, teams must first report to training camp. The New York Jets will report to training camp on July 25 (rookies) and July 28 (veterans), and below is their biggest position battle to watch this summer.
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Position Battle: CB2 | Nahshon Wright vs. Azareye'h Thomas vs. D’Angelo Ponds
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After trading Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, Brandon Stephens took over as the team’s top cornerback. He had his share of growing pains, but he also had flashes of brilliance.
It’s presumed he will start the year as New York’s CB1, leaving the starting job on the opposite side up for grabs.
Azareye'h Thomas only played 159 coverage snaps last season, but he was highly effective when on the field. He allowed a completion percentage against of just 48% (12 receptions on 25 targets), and he allowed just one touchdown and an 84.9 passer rating against.
Thomas also has a year in Aaron Glenn’s system, which gives him a leg up on both Nahshon Wright, who joins the team from the Chicago Bears, and D’Angelo Ponds, a rookie from Indiana.
Wright struggled last year in Chicago. He played an absurd 704 coverage snaps, allowing 800 yards and eight touchdowns. His skillset may be better suited to a CB3 role, which could be exactly where he fits in in New York.
Ponds could be the dark horse in this competition. He was one of the better cover corners in the country last season, allowing a completion percentage against of 50% (32 receptions on 64 targets), and he surrendered zero TDs and a 55.4 passer rating against.
With a strong camp, Ponds could set himself apart the way Gardner did during his rookie year and potentially make some noise as a first-year starter.
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