Early NY Jets 53-man roster prediction hints at breakout year for Justin Fields

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and with rookie minicamp on the horizon, it’s time to start looking ahead. The New York Jets have added a wave of new talent through both the draft and free agency, reshaping a roster that looks noticeably different from just a few months ago.

With that in mind, we’ve put together our first early 53-man roster projection of the offseason. From new additions to potential surprise cuts, there’s plenty to dissect, including what could be shaping up as a breakout year for quarterback Justin Fields.

New York Jets 53-man roster predictions after 2025 NFL Draft

Quarterback (2): Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor

The Jets should have four quarterbacks on their roster entering the summer, including projected starter Justin Fields and incumbent backup Tyrod Taylor. The real conversation begins with the players behind them on the depth chart.

Undrafted rookie Brady Cook is set to compete with former UFL MVP Adrian Martinez for the Jets' QB3 job in training camp. Most NFL teams carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster due to new roster rules, but in this scenario, the Jets opt to just keep two.

Cook and/or Martinez could be stashed on the practice squad for the time being. If we were going to give the edge to either player, it would probably be Cook.

Running Back (4): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu

Despite trade rumors, the Jets ultimately didn't move Breece Hall during the 2025 NFL Draft. Hall's short-term status should be secure, even if his long-term future is a little uncertain.

The first three names on this depth chart are pretty much set in stone. Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis will enter the summer with every opportunity to prove they deserve reps in 2025.

Kene Nwangwu earns a spot due to his special teams experience and should be the team's Week 1 kick returner. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Donovan Edwards, who could stick around with a strong showing in the preseason.

Wide Receiver (7): Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, Malachi Corley, Arian Smith, Jamaal Pritchett

The Jets' wide receiver room is wide open this summer. Outside of Garrett Wilson, there isn't a receiver on the roster locked into a solidified spot on the depth chart, although veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard — if he's still on the team — are the presumptive WR2 and WR3.

Tyler Johnson and Arian Smith should both have roster spots secured as well, leaving 1-2 places up for grabs. We'll give the edge to 2024 third-round pick Malachi Corley and undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett.

Pritchett led the Sun Belt in receiving yards last season and could push Xavier Gipson for the Jets' punt returner job this summer. Corley has enough pedigree to give him the edge over guys like special teams ace Irvin Charles and last year's summer standout Brandon Smith.

Tight End (3): Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt

Second-round rookie Mason Taylor should be the odds-on favorite to enter the season as the Jets' starting tight end. Jeremy Ruckert and free-agent addition Stone Smartt provide adequate enough depth behind them.

If the Jets want to use a traditional fullback this season, someone like veteran Andrew Beck could earn a spot. There just wasn't room for Beck on the 53 in this scenario, however.

Offensive Tackle (5): Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Chukwuma Okorafor, Carter Warren, Max Mitchell

The Jets hope to see Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou anchor the team's offensive line for the foreseeable future. Fashanu and Membou give the Jets one of the most promising young tackle duos in the NFL, and the depth behind them is passable.

Chukwuma Okorafor is an experienced low-end starter who should provide quality depth while Carter Warren and Max Mitchell both manage to stick around another year. Mitchell's guard versatility could be what allows him to keep a roster spot.

Interior Offensive Line (5): John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Josh Myers, Xavier Newman

The interior of the Jets' offensive line is the same as it was a year ago. John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, and Alijah Vera-Tucker return to form a formidable trio anchoring the middle of the offensive line.

The Jets signed veteran Josh Myers to essentially be their Wes Schweitzer replacement. Myers has started all 56 games over the last four years and should be excellent depth behind Tippmann at center. Xavier Newman is the next-best backup interior option behind Myers.

Defensive End (4): Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Tyler Baron, Eric Watts

The Jets' defensive line room is a lot thinner than it has been in recent years, and that shows up when looking at the defensive end depth chart. Jermaine Johnson returns from a torn Achilles alongside Will McDonald, but the depth behind them is rather thin.

Fifth-round pick Tyler Baron could be in line for significant playing time in his rookie season. Micheal Clemons might enter the summer as a pencilled-in backup, but the new regime has no ties to him. Eric Watts' versatility gives him the nod over Clemons and Braiden McGregor.

Defensive Tackle (5): Quinnen Williams, Derrick Nnadi, Leonard Taylor III, Byron Cowart, Payton Page

Despite a loaded defensive tackle class, the Jets opted against addressing the position in the draft. That positions free-agent signing Derrick Nnadi as the projected starter at 1-tech alongside Quinnen Williams.

The remaining spots behind them remain up for grabs. Leonard Taylor III flashed his pass-rush upside as a rookie and should make the team. The same goes for veteran Byron Cowart, who recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks last season.

Undrafted rookie Payton Page earns the final spot in this scenario over the likes of veteran Jay Tufele, former second-round pick Phidarian Mathis, and fellow undrafted free agent Fatorma Mulbah.

Linebacker (5): Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, Francisco Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jamin Davis

Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams return as arguably the NFL's best linebacker duo, but the depth chart behind them is hardly set in stone. Rookie fifth-round pick Francisco Mauigoa should be the presumptive favorite to earn the LB3 job.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball solidified himself as a core special-teamer last season and could make the team for similar reasons this year. We'll also give a roster spot to former first-round pick Jamin Davis, who joined the Jets as a waiver-wire pickup late last year.

Cornerback (7): Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, Azareye'h Thomas, Isaiah Oliver, Qwan'tez Stiggers, Kris Boyd

Cornerback is probably the deepest position on the Jets' roster, which also makes it the most difficult to project. The top four names should be set in stone: Sauce Gardner. Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, and Azareye'h Thomas. The rest of the room is uncertain.

Veteran Isaiah Oliver gives the Jets nickel/safety versatility and should earn himself a roster spot after a sneakily effective season a year ago. Oliver played primarily safety in 2025, but the new coaching staff reportedly views him as more of a cornerback.

That leaves 1-2 spots for the likes of Qwan'tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Kris Boyd, and every other cornerback on the roster. The Jets decide to keep Stiggers around for another year while Boyd makes it because of his special-teams prowess, leaving Bernard-Converse as the odd man out.

Safety (3): Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore

You can consider Isaiah Oliver the fourth safety in this room. The Jets signed Andre Cisco to a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason, likely solidifying him as one of their starters.

The other starting spot should be up for grabs between the incumbent Tony Adams and rookie Malachi Moore. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie Dean Clark, who could push for a roster spot with a strong summer.

Specialists (3): Caden Davis (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)

The special teams battles this summer will be very interesting for the Jets. Thomas Hennssey, the team's longest-tenured player, should return as the incumbent long snapper, but the kicker and punter jobs will be competitions.

Undrafted rookie Caden Davis beats out Greg Zuerlein (a possible post-June 1 cut) and Anders Carlson for the kicker job, while veteran Thomas Morstead edges out Austin McNamara, who signed with the Jets in March. Still, don’t be surprised if McNamara makes a strong push for the role this summer.

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