Final Jets 53-man roster prediction delivers bad news for several fan favorites

The New York Jets have one final preseason game against the New York Giants before the roster decisions begin in earnest. By Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m. ET, the Jets will have to trim their roster from 90 players down to their initial 53-man group.

There will undoubtedly be some difficult calls, including a few involving players who have become preseason fan favorites. And even then, the first 53-man roster will almost certainly not be the one the Jets carry into Week 1.

The Jets own the No. 2 spot in the waiver order, giving the front office a real chance to add outside help after cuts around the league. Before that happens, though, here is our best prediction for how the Jets’ initial 53-man roster could look.

Jets 53-man roster prediction

Quarterbacks (2)

• Geno Smith
• Cade Klubnik

CUT: Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook

This room feels fairly straightforward. The Jets have all but rolled out the red carpet for Cade Klubnik to win the QB2 job this summer, and the rookie fourth-round pick hasn't done anything to force them to waver in their confidence.

Neither Bailey Zappe nor Brady Cook is a particularly appealing QB3, so it's possible the Jets could look to add another quarterback after roster cuts. If not, Cook has outplayed Zappe this summer and deserves the spot on the practice squad.

Running Backs (4)

• Breece Hall
• Braelon Allen
• Isaiah Davis
• Kene Nwangwu

CUT: Chip Trayanum, Dominic Richardson

The Jets' running back room has been banged up this summer, but the team is targeting a Week 1 return date for both Breece Hall (groin) and Isaiah Davis (knee). Hall appears to be a bit further along in his rehab based on practice this week.

Davis is a candidate for short-term IR, but assuming he's healthy for the start of the season, this room feels pretty much set. Kene Nwangwu should stick around as the Jets' top kick returner, but the team is in trouble if he's forced to play actual running back reps.

Undrafted rookie Chip Trayanum might have the inside track to a practice squad spot over the recently signed Dominic Richardson, but don't be surprised if the Jets look elsewhere for their practice squad running back.

Wide Receivers (6)

• Garrett Wilson
• Adonai Mitchell
• Omar Cooper Jr.
• Isaiah Williams
• Tim Patrick
• Arian Smith

CUT: Malik McClain, Jamaal Pritchett, Quincy Skinner Jr., Junior Bergen, Cam Camper

The top four names on this depth chart are locks. Things get interesting with Tim Patrick and Arian Smith, though none of the others vying for a spot have done enough to really push them.

Patrick hasn't really made any plays this summer, but he's a veteran who should stick around for his leadership and blocking. Smith has struggled in the preseason and was playing with the third-team offense against the Steelers, notably behind UDFA Malik McClain.

Smith is far from a roster lock, but McClain — and the others — probably haven't done enough to convince Darren Mougey to part ways with his 2025 fourth-rounder after just one year.

Pritchett and Bergen are likely competing for one practice squad spot as a backup returner, while Skinner and Camper have both made some plays in the preseason and could be competing for another spot as well.

Tight Ends (4)

• Mason Taylor
• Kenyon Sadiq
• Jeremy Ruckert
• Jelani Woods

CUT: Chase Curtis, Connor Hulstein, Andrew Beck (FB)

Kenyon Sadiq appears to be on track to return by Week 1 after missing most of the summer. The Jets will ease him into the offense upon his return, which likely solidifies Jelani Woods' place on the 53-man roster.

Woods has played a lot with the first-team offense in Sadiq's absence and is a favorite of new OC Frank Reich. Fullback/tight end Andrew Beck could sneak onto the initial 53, but he's a vested veteran who can easily be stashed on the practice squad or brought back at a later date without passing through waivers.

Offensive Line (9)

• Olu Fashanu
• Dylan Parham
• Josh Myers
• Joe Tippmann
• Armand Membou
• Max Mitchell
• Chukwuma Okorafor
• Anez Cooper
• Xavier Newman

CUT: Landon Young, Kohl Levao, Marquis Hayes, Liam Fornadel, Xavier Hill, Courtland Ford

This feels like a position where the Jets could explore making an addition or two, either via the waiver wire or the trade market. Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor are passable, albeit underwhelming backup tackle options, while rookie guard Anez Cooper has flashed this summer.

The real issue is at backup center. Xavier Newman has worked as the second-team center this summer, but he's a natural guard and has had snapping issues. The Jets could use an upgrade at that spot, but for now, we'll tentatively pencil Newman in on the initial 53.

Defensive Line (5)

• T'Vondre Sweat
• David Onyemata
• Harrison Phillips
• Jowon Briggs
• Darrell Jackson Jr.

CUT: Mazi Smith, Payton Page, Jack Heflin, Junior Tafuna

Nothing much to note here. T'Vondre Sweat is healthy and should be an important part of the defensive line rotation. Rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. was one of the surprise standouts of training camp, even if he failed to pop in the preseason.

Payton Page and Jack Heflin have quietly had strong summers and should push for practice squad spots. The Mazi Smith experiment seems to have run its course.

Outside Linebackers (5)

• David Bailey
• Joseph Ossai
• Kingsley Enagbare
• Will McDonald
• Braiden McGregor

CUT: Nate Lynn, Paschal Ekeji, Anthony Dunn Jr., Tyler Baron (PUP)

Jets fans won't like this one. Former Lions UDFA Nate Lynn has captured the attention of the fan base following his stellar performance in his preseason debut, but he wasn't even with an NFL team until last week. It's hard to see him actually cracking the 53, even if he might deserve it on merit alone.

Braiden McGregor is a replacement-level edge rusher whom the Jets have probably seen more than enough of over the last two years, but he's consistently worked with the second-team defense throughout camp and remains ahead of Lynn on the pecking order. He was the 53rd man on this 53-man roster prediction.

Lynn should be a prime practice squad candidate if he doesn't make the 53. Tyler Baron remains on the PUP list and doesn't seem close to a return — it seems unlikely he plays this season. Pascahl Ekeji should be the Jets' designated international player on their practice squad.

Inside Linebackers (4)

• Demario Davis
• Jamien Sherwood
• Kiko Mauigoa
• Marcelino McCrary-Ball

CUT: Mykal Walker (IR), Jaden Keller, Chase Wilson

Veteran Mykal Walker is currently nursing a calf injury, which makes him a candidate to begin the year on the injured reserve. Kiko Mauigoa and Marcelino McCrary-Ball should be close to roster locks as reserve linebackers and core special-teamers.

Linebacker might be the most likely position the Jets target via the waiver wire this weekend. Don't be surprised if they add to this room before Week 1. Undrafted rookies Jaden Keller and Chase Wilson each did enough this summer to warrant practice squad consideration.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Brandon Stephens
• Azareye'h Thomas
• Nahshon Wright
• Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
• D'Angelo Ponds
• Qwan'tez Stiggers

CUT: Tre Brown, Jordan Clark, Mory Bamba, Samuel Womack, Keenan Garber

The top six names on this depth chart should all be pretty safe. Qwan'tez Stiggers is the only one worth a discussion, but he should stick around as one of Chris Banjo's most trusted special teams standouts.

The Jets received quality play from their depth cornerbacks this summer, as the likes of Tre Brown, Jordan Clark, Mory Bamba, and Samuel Womack all made cases to stick around. Bamba is an obvious practice squad candidate, but there just isn't a spot for him on the 53-man roster. He could also land on IR as he remains out with a knee injury.

Clark deserves a shoutout for his performance this summer, although he's likely going to land on the practice squad as additional nickel depth. Brown and Womack each had strong preseason performances as well.

Safeties (5)

• Minkah Fitzpatrick
• Dane Belton
• Andre Cisco
• Malachi Moore
• VJ Payne

CUT: Jarius Monroe, Dean Clark, Tanner Wall

Rookie seventh-round pick VJ Payne suffered a bone bruise in his ankle earlier this month and could be a candidate for the short-term IR. That said, Aaron Glenn insisted that it was a 3-4 week injury roughly three weeks ago, so we'll pencil him in on the 53 for now.

Malachi Moore's stock plummeted this summer, and he'd be a sneaky cut candidate if there was anyone on the roster pushing him. Jarius Monroe and Dean Clark are experienced practice squad options.

Specialists (3)

• Jason Sanders (K)
• Austin McNamara (P)
• Thomas Hennessy (LS)

CUT: N/A

Jason Sanders officially "won" the kicker job after Cade York was waived earlier this week. Sanders isn't a lock to be the Week 1 kicker, but the Jets seem intent on giving him a shot at this time. That could change if he struggles in the final preseason game.

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