10 roster cut players the Jets should target on the waiver wire

The New York Jets trimmed their roster down to 53 players on Tuesday, but as always, the “final” 53 is anything but final. NFL rosters are constantly in flux this week, and the group announced after cutdown day almost never matches the roster that actually takes the field in Week 1.

That’s especially true for the Jets this year. With new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey putting their stamp on the roster for the first time, the expectation is that the team will be active on the waiver wire.

The Jets are set to have the seventh spot in the waiver claim order, putting the team in prime position to scoop up quality talent that didn’t survive cutdown day elsewhere.

All waiver claims must be submitted by 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, after which teams will begin assembling their practice squads. With several holes still to fill, don’t expect the Jets to stay quiet — here are 10 roster cut players they should target on the waiver wire.

Possible NY Jets waiver wire targets

10. OT Esa Pole

The Jets could turn to a familiar face in an effort to upgrade their offensive tackle depth. The Jets brought undrafted rookie Esa Pole in for a top-30 visit in the pre-draft process before he ultimately signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pole finished the preseason with an outstanding 84.1 Pro Football Focus pass-block grade and didn't allow a single pressure on 49 pass-block snaps. At 6-foot-7, 319 pounds, Pole might be worthy of a flyer as a young developmental tackle option to replace either Max Mitchell or Chukwuma Okorafor on the 53.

9. WR Jackson Meeks

The Jets made a trio of tough cuts in their wide receiver room on Tuesday, waiving the likes of Brandon Smith, Jamaal Pritchett, and Quentin Skinner. Still, it's clear this receiver room could use some help.

Undrafted rookie Jackson Meeks finished second among all players in receiving this preseason, hauling in 11 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

The Syracuse product has good size, graded out extremely well as a blocker, and comes from a Detroit Lions offense that shares many similarities with the one the Jets plan to run. He would be a fun add.

8. TE Rivaldo Fairweather

Perhaps no position on the Jets' roster could use more help than tight end. There isn't a tight end on the Jets' roster outside of Mason Taylor who is guaranteed to be on the Week 1 roster.

The Dallas Cowboys waived undrafted rookie Rivaldo Fairweather despite an impressive showing in the preseason. Fairweather hauled in five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, flashing his big-play upside this summer.

7. WR Trey Palmer

A sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 NFL Draft, Trey Palmer was a surprise release on Tuesday. The Nebraska product has recorded 51 catches for 557 yards and four touchdowns over the first two seasons of his NFL career, but couldn't crack the 53 in a deep Bucs WR room.

Palmer is likely better than at least 1-2 wide receivers on the Jets' roster already, and he also has experience returning kicks and punts. He feels like a prime candidate to be claimed, either by the Jets or another team.

6. DE Nate Lynn

Undrafted rookie Nate Lynn was another one of the Lions' biggest preseason standouts. Lynn crossed paths with Aaron Glenn in Detroit last season after signing with the Lions as an undrafted rookie out of William & Mary.

He returned from injury this summer and finished the preseason with 10 pressures (third-most in the NFL and an elite 90.6 PFF pass-rush grade. The Jets could use some reinforcements on their defensive line, and Lynn could provide them with just that.

5. SAF Tony Jefferson

The Jets don't seem likely to add to their safety room following roster cuts, but if they were looking to add a veteran to the position group, they probably won't find a better option than Tony Jefferson.

The 13-year veteran came out of retirement to play eight games (four starts) with the Chargers last season, and he showed that he's still a rock-solid NFL safety.

Jefferson won't be subject to waivers and is probably looking to sign with a contender, but as NBC Sports analyst Connor Rogers noted, he legitimately might be good enough to start on this Jets roster.

4. TE Jelani Woods

The Jets could take an upside swing at the tight end position and target a player like Jelani Woods. The 6-foot-7, 253-pound Woods has battled serious injury issues throughout his career, but he's flashed whenever he's been given an opportunity.

Woods has missed each of the last two seasons due to injuries, but he returned this preseason to haul in seven catches for 75 yards. Despite his size, the Virginia product isn't a particularly strong blocker, but he'd almost surely be an upgrade over the likes of Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt.

3. TE Greg Dulcich

Another tight end that should generate interest from NFL teams is Greg Dulcich. The former Broncos third-round pick led all players with three receiving touchdowns this preseason, but was a somewhat surprising roster cut by the New York Giants.

Dulcich has battled injuries and seen his stock plummet since his encouraging rookie year in 2022, but the UCLA product flashed his upside once again this preseason. Again, the Jets' tight end depth is so uninspiring that almost any somewhat notable player would be an upgrade at this stage.

2. DE Gabriel Murphy

The Jets already acquired one former Vikings defensive lineman last week — could they add another one via the waiver wire? 2024 undrafted rookie Gabriel Murphy was a shock roster cut in Minnesota, as the UCLA product put together an outstanding summer and was considered a near-lock to make the 53.

Murphy recorded eight pressures in two preseason games, but that wasn't enough to earn a roster spot, apparently. Keep an eye on his identical twin brother, Grayson, who similarly had an excellent summer but was cut by the Dolphins. Both could be hot commodities on the waiver wire.

1. TE Quintin Morris

Quintin Morris is exactly what the Jets should be looking for in a tight end following roster cuts. The former Bills depth piece carved out a role in Buffalo as one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL over the last few years.

Morris posted PFF pass-block grades of 70.0+ in each of the last two seasons and posted an 84.1 run-block grade (fifth-best among tight ends) this preseason with the Jaguars. As a vested veteran, Morris is not subject to waivers, but the Jets should still make it a priority to sign him.

We actually mentioned Morris as a potential Jets target all the way back in March. This should be your Jeremy Ruckert replacement.