3 NY Jets rookies with everything to prove in preseason opener

Cook finished a five-year career at Missouri with more than 9,200 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions over his final two seasons, adding 21 rushing touchdowns.

His breakout came in 2023 with 3,317 yards, 21 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and eight rushing touchdowns. In 2024, he dropped to 2,535 yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and five rushing touchdowns, but he only posted two picks and a stellar 1.0% turnover-worthy play rate, one of the best marks in the nation.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-2, 212-pound quarterback flashed his athletic skillset, running a 4.62-second 40-yard dash while logging a 9.71 Relative Athletic Score.

If Cook can carry his strong ball security and steady camp performance into Saturday night and New York’s other two preseason matchups, he could make a strong case to beat out former UFL MVP Adrian Martinez for the Jets’ QB3 job.

DT Payton Page (No. 69)

New York is scrambling for answers next to Quinnen Williams on the interior of the defensive line, especially after Byron Cowart’s recent injury that will sideline him for at least a week. The undrafted rookie from Clemson has seized his opportunity, flashing with some big plays in the run game.

Page, a coveted defensive line recruit in the 2021 class, spent four seasons anchoring Clemson’s defensive front. While not flashy, he built a reputation as a dependable force on the interior.

The North Carolina native played 53 games for the Tigers, producing 60 tackles (eight for loss) and a pair of fumble recoveries, although he only had a half-sack. His most successful season came in 2024, where he posted 32 tackles, three stops behind the line, and a pick-six over 14 games.

His primary contributions came in the run game, where he earned a 76.9 mark from Pro Football Focus for his ability to occupy blockers, clog lanes, and disrupt plays at the point of attack.

Though not a sack producer, Page still found his way into the backfield. He logged 24 total pressures last season, tied for 35th among Power Four defensive tackles. Page was one of only 14 Power Four defensive tackles with a 75+ run defense grade and 24+ total pressures.

With few proven options in the mix, Page’s run-stuffing ability and knack for freeing up space on the inside could make him a legitimate candidate to play a key role in Week 1, but he will need to prove it in the preseason after a strong start to training camp.