Final Jets 53-man roster prediction after preseason finale loss to Giants

The New York Jets wrapped up their preseason Friday night in a crosstown tilt with the New York Giants, and while multiple starters sat out, it gave plenty of Jets on the fringe of the roster one last chance to make their mark before roster cuts begin.

NFL teams need to have their finalized 53-man rosters by 6 PM Eastern Time on Sunday evening, and the Jets will have to make some difficult decisions about who they want to keep heading into the regular season.

After the preseason finale, we have a better idea of what the Jets' eventual 53-man roster may look like and who they'll part ways with ahead of the deadline.

New York Jets 53-man roster projection after preseason finale

QB (2): Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik

Most NFL teams carry three quarterbacks on their active roster, but neither Brady Cook nor Bailey Zappe has shown much throughout the preseason to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster. The Jets will likely look to stash one on the practice squad, or maybe make another addition from another team's cuts.

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

Running back is a position that has been fairly set in stone since the Jets extended Breece Hall. He'll serve as the bell cow, while Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will rotate in to spell Hall and give New York's running game a change of pace. Kene Nwangwu is one of the NFL's premier kick returners when he's healthy.

WR (6): Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith

Similar to running back, the Jets have had wide receiver figured out for quite some time, especially at the top. The only question is who WR6 will be, and despite his struggles, Arian Smith feels like a safe bet. New York invested a fourth-round pick in him during the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has value as a special teams player.

TE (4): Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods

For the first time in what feels like forever, the Jets seem to be loaded at tight end. Kenyon Sadiq (once he returns from injury) and Mason Taylor hope to be an elite one-two punch, while Jeremy Ruckert is positioned correctly as TE3. Jelani Woods is the real wild card, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich will surely find a way to utilize the 6-foot-7 athletic specimen.

OL (9): Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Anez Cooper, Xavier Newman

The Jets have five quality starters up front, but depth remains an issue, particularly on the interior. Anez Cooper has had an up-and-down preseason, and Xavier Newman provides some versatility as both a guard and center, but New York may look to pluck a veteran lineman who shakes loose after roster cutdowns.

DL (5): T'Vondre Sweat, Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Darrell Jackson Jr.

In years past, the Jets have struggled to maintain quality depth on their interior defensive line. It was typically Quinnen Williams and several veterans on one-year deals. Not anymore. New York has four quality starters who will rotate in and out, and a rookie in Darrell Jackson Jr., who is still developing but impressed throughout the summer.

EDGE (5): David Bailey, Will McDonald, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Nate Lynn

The Jets' stable of pass rushers is multi-talented, with two specialists in David Bailey and Will McDonald, and two edge-setting run defenders in Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. Nate Lynn makes the roster thanks to two dominant preseason outings, proving he deserves a spot in New York.

LB (4): Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball

This may be the Jets' thinnest position group. If Demario Davis misses any time throughout the season, New York's defense will have a serious problem on its hands. Kiko Mauigoa had some rough stretches as a rookie last year, and Marcelino McCrary-Ball is a special teamer at best.

CB (6): Brandon Stephens, Azareye'h Thomas, D'Angelo Ponds, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Nahshon Wright, Qwan'tez Stiggers

Cornerback is another relatively deep group on the Jets roster. Azareye'h Thomas didn't dress for the preseason finale, suggesting he's locked down the starting job opposite Brandon Stephens. Nahshon Wright is a quality backup boundary cornerback, and Qwan'tez Stiggers proved to be a plus contributor on special teams in 2025.

S (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore, VJ Payne

It may seem like a stretch to carry five safeties on the active roster, but it sounds like Aaron Glenn may be deploying some three-safety looks for the new-look Jets defense in 2026. Malachi Moore is a sneaky cut candidate, but considering the Jets invested a fourth-round draft pick in him just last year, it feels like he's safe.

ST (3): Jason Sanders, Austin McNamara, Thomas Hennessy

Jason Sanders looked terrible in the Jets' preseason finale, missing both an extra point and a 54-yard field goal. He is merely a placeholder until New York finds a new option at kicker. Austin McNamara and Thomas Hennessy are incumbent starters and had little to no competition this summer.

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