Jets still have work to do with final roster

The New York Jets finalized their 53-man roster but make no mistake about it, still have a lot of work to do heading into the regular season.

On Saturday afternoon, the New York Jets cut ties with 20 players. Of those 20 players, were most notably two underachieving former high draft picks of the previous regime. Cornerback Dee Milliner has missed more games than he has played in and tight end Jace Amaro was awful in preseason action this summer.

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Another surprising cut was fullback Tommy Bohanon. Since being drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft in the 7th round out of Wake Forest, Bohanon was entrenched as the starting fullback for three seasons. The Jets opted to take the former linebacker, now fullback Julian Howsare. He is a better special teams player than Bohanon, which is perhaps why he made the team over Bohanon.

On Sunday afternoon, the Jets claimed a whopping four players off waivers. Tight ends Blake Parker (Kansas City), Braedon Bowman (Jacksonville), running back Troymaine Pope (Seattle), and cornerback Darryl Roberts (New England). It is quite surprising that the Jets valued two former undrafted free agents in Parker and Bowman, along with two journeymen (Kellen Davis and Brandon Bostick) over Amaro, a former second round pick.

There still remains serious questions for the bottom of the Jets’ roster. They will be starting either Brent Qvale or Ben Ijalana at right tackle for the first six weeks of the season. Neither has started a game in the NFL. Also, Qvale went undrafted out of Nebraska, Ijilana has been with the Jets for two years as a reserve tackle and has never even been active.

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As referenced above, the Jets have absolutely nobody at tight end. To some degree, it is irrelevant since offensive coordinator Chan Gailey put together a top 10 offense that completely disregarded the tight end position. Also, possible breakout wide receiver

To some degree, it is irrelevant since offensive coordinator Chan Gailey put together a top 10 offense that completely disregarded the tight end position. Also, possible breakout wide receiver

Also, possible breakout wide receiver Quincy Enunwa starred at the Jets’ h-back last year, which asked him to block and play in-line on occasion.

On defense, the Jets have serious questions about their depth at cornerback and outside linebacker.

At cornerback, they really have no insurance in case of an injury. Behind starters Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams and rookie Juston Burris are the only other corners. Sure, they added Roberts, but he has no NFL experience. For a system that puts a ton of pressure on its corners, the Jets need to add more depth here.

The production the Jets get from their outside linebackers in 2016 will hinge on the growth of Lorenzo Mauldin. The Jets drafted Jordan Jenkins in the third round, but he is not known for his pass-rushing ability. Two former Ivy league players Mike Catapano (Princeton) and Josh Martin (Colombia) round out a very thin edge-rush group.

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The Jets will continue to scour the waiver-wire in search for upgrades. The roster as it stands right now is still tentative. The Jets may need to search the trade block and part with a draft pick to get the right players in here. There are never starting-caliber players out there on waivers.