Jets Roster Bubble Players Take Stock in Preseason Finale

Players like running back Israel Abanikanda and edge rusher Takk McKinley are both considered to be on the roster "bubble" with people unsure of whether or not they will stay with the team in the coming days. 

Saturday night's performance certainly should help both of their cases, though. 

In regards to Abanikanda, last season's fifth-round pick tallied 89 total yards on just 10 touches in the Jets win over the Giants. His 45-yard touchdown run was the winning score and showed the unique skill set that made him a top player with the Pittsburgh Panthers. 

As a potential fourth running back, though, the fact that Abanikanda was able to play at such a high level Saturday is massive for him and his NFL future. 

"Another opportunity to just take advantage of an opportunity, that was my mindset," Abanikanda said after the game. 

"Izzy's" NFL career is just getting started. While there is hope the Jets will opt to keep him on the team after Saturday's stellar showing, the expectation is that he would be able to find a new home relatively quickly either on another team or on New York's practice squad. 

The same could not have been said of Takkarist McKinley over the last few years.

A first-round pick out of UCLA in 2017, the former Falcon and Brown was out of football for the entirety of the 2023 season. By many accounts, McKinley's playing days were considered over. 

A previous connection with Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, though, gave McKinley an opportunity to keep chasing an NFL dream. Something the Jets coaching staff was all too pleased to give him. 

"He’s got pedigree, right? First-round talent. Elite strain, length, speed, physicality, mindset," Jets head coach Robert Saleh explained of McKinley. "I’ve always said it, it just takes guys some time sometimes for one reason or another. A lot of times they have to find themselves and I feel like he’s in a really good place right now, both physically and mentally. I thought he did a really nice job during training camp."

Ulbrich was the one who opened the door for the now 28-year-old edge rusher to try out for the team. From the tryout on, McKinley has been a force for the Jets in practice, and in the preseason. 

In New York's win over the Giants, McKinley recorded a game high 2.5 sacks and was a constant presence against the run. 

It's as if the last few years of major injuries and mental health concerns had washed away for McKinley. On Saturday night, he was where he always belonged - dominating on the football field. 

"As crazy as it sounds, I believe it was the best thing for me because again it just forced me to mature," McKinley said. "A lot of therapy, dealt with a lot of psychiatrists, I wanted to grow. I feel like in life you’re either growing or you’re not growing, so for me, I took the time, I put in the work and just took it day by day. I think for the longest, I always felt like I was alone and that’s not true at all. If you need help, just say you need help. There are people in this world that really care and I had to open up to get help. I’m just grateful, man, I’m just grateful."

McKinley's message is something that every person on the planet struggling with mental health can relate to. It was a far cry from the player who requested a trade two years into his NFL journey. 

But after a year away from the game he loved, and with doubt he would ever be able to return, the now father of two knew he didn't want to go out the way he did before. 

"Knowing I didn’t have a mom or dad growing up, I was raised by my grandma and my auntie and they could have easily given up on me but they didn’t give up on me," McKinley stated. "So, for me it was like I can't give up on myself. Like I’m speechless right now, but I’m just grateful to be in front of you guys and just have the interview. McKinley’s ain’t no quitters man, I got two kids and they look up to me. I’d be quitting on them if I quit on myself."

McKinley and Abanikanda are on two sides of the field, but both competing for roster spots. 

New York doesn't have many of those to spare. 

Still, with their strong performances Saturday, and even stronger messages following the game, New York's bubble players seem more than ready than ever to make the final roster on Tuesday.