Jets cut multiple fan-favorites in final 53-man roster prediction

The New York Jets have officially wrapped up their preseason schedule, which means the focus now shifts to one of the most difficult parts of the summer — trimming the roster down to 53 players.

With cutdown day just around the corner, tough decisions are inevitable, and a few fan-favorites could find themselves on the outside looking in. Of course, the initial 53-man roster is rarely the final version that takes the field in Week 1.

The waiver wire will be busy in the days that follow, and the Jets are expected to be active in exploring upgrades at certain positions. For now, though, the team has some difficult choices to make as they finalize their roster.

Final Jets 53-man roster prediction

QB (2)

Justin Fields
Tyrod Taylor

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains confident that Tyrod Taylor will be healthy for Week 1, which allows the team to carry just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Neither Adrian Martinez nor Brady Cook did enough to separate themselves and earn a roster spot this summer.

It will be interesting to see if the Jets choose to keep both around. Martinez and Cook are strong practice squad candidates, and given the injury histories of both Fields and Taylor, it might make sense to bring them both back.

RB (4)

Breece Hall
Braelon Allen
Isaiah Davis
Kene Nwangwu (KR)

The health of Isaiah Davis is worth watching here. The second-year running back suffered an ankle injury in the team's preseason opener earlier this month and has not practiced since.

If Davis lands on the short-term IR to start the year, that could open up a roster spot for someone like UDFA rookie Donovan Edwards. The Jets could also opt to carry three running backs on the 53 until Davis recovers if they feel comfortable enough with Kene Nwangwu as depth.

Either way, Nwangwu's spot should be safe as the Jets' top kick returner.

WR (6)

Garrett Wilson
Josh Reynolds
Tyler Johnson
Arian Smith
Brandon Smith
Jamaal Pritchett (PR)
Allen Lazard* (IR)
Irvin Charles* (PUP)

This was the position group with the most deliberation. Allen Lazard's status is worth monitoring, as the veteran wide receiver has been out nursing a shoulder injury and is a logical candidate for the short-term IR to begin the year.

Whether Lazard is healthy or not, the Jets would be fools to leave Brandon Smith off the 53-man roster, given his performances over the last two summers. He's not a roster lock, but the fact that he didn't play in the second half on Friday is a good sign.

Undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett also gets the nod over the incumbent Xavier Gipson, who could also be an IR candidate as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Regardless, Pritchett showed enough as both a receiver and punt returner to earn a spot.

Fellow undrafted rookie Quentin Skinner was a tough cut, but the Jets probably have a good chance of sneaking him to their practice squad. Irvin Charles is transferred from the Active/PUP to the Reserve/PUP list.

TE (4)

Mason Taylor
Jeremy Ruckert
Stone Smartt
Andrew Beck (FB)

Don't be surprised if you see some changes to this position group in the coming days. Mason Taylor is theoretically the only true lock amongst these players, but Andrew Beck seems to have carved out a nice role as a fullback/tight end hybrid.

Stone Smartt has enough receiving upside to warrant a spot as well. Jeremy Ruckert struggled this summer, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Jets scour the waiver wire in search of a replacement. His roster spot is far from secure.

OL (9)

Olu Fashanu
John Simpson
Joe Tippmann
Alijah Vera-Tucker
Armand Membou
Josh Myers
Xavier Newman
Max Mitchell
Chukwuma Okorafor

The Jets have high expectations for their offensive line in 2025, and despite some rookie growing pains from first-round pick Armand Membou, there's plenty of optimism surrounding the unit.

Joe Tippmann should win a center competition that was never really a true battle. Josh Myers and Xavier Newman are the top backup interior linemen, while Max Mitchell and Chukwuma Okorafor are the primary depth tackles.

Former fourth-round pick Carter Warren is likely to be cut, but don't be surprised if the Jets search for upgrades at the backup tackle spots.

DE (4)

Jermaine Johnson
Will McDonald
Micheal Clemons
Tyler Baron

This is another position group that feels incomplete as we approach roster cuts. The depth behind Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons is almost nonexistent, with Micheal Clemons once again penciled in as the top backup defensive end.

Rookie fifth-round pick Tyler Baron sneaks onto the 53-man roster mostly due to draft status — he had a quiet summer. Braiden McGregor and Eric Watts are also candidates for the 53, but an outside addition feels rather likely at this stage.

DT (5)

Quinnen Williams
Harrison Phillips
Jay Tufele
Jowon Briggs
Leonard Taylor III
Byron Cowart* (IR)

The Jets made some notable additions to their defensive tackle room this week, acquiring both Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs in trades. Phillips gives the Jets a legitimate starting 1-tech defensive tackle, while Briggs provides solid young depth.

Jay Tufele seemed to be on the roster bubble, but the fact that the Jets held him out of Friday's game suggests he's likely made the team. Leonard Taylor III is the name to watch here after the former UDFA was playing meaningless fourth-quarter snaps on Friday.

If Byron Cowart is healthy, he should be on the 53. But the veteran defensive tackle is still out with an ankle injury and could be a candidate for the short-term IR, potentially opening up a roster spot for Taylor.

LB (6)

Jamien Sherwood
Quincy Williams
Jamin Davis
Francisco Mauigoa
Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Ja'Markis Weston

Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, and fifth-round rookie Francisco Mauigoa should be locks, while Jamin Davis and Marcelino McCrary-Ball also feel rather safe. Davis has been working as the first-team WILL linebacker, while McCrary-Ball didn't even play in Friday's game.

Undrafted rookie Ja'Markis Weston was my final addition to this 53-man roster prediction. The Jets gave Weston $200,000 in guarantees this spring, and the Florida State product has impressed on special teams. That will be his path to a roster spot if he makes it.

CB (6)

Sauce Gardner
Brandon Stephens
Michael Carter II
Qwant'ez Stiggers
Azareye'h Thomas
Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Jarius Monroe* (IR)

Cornerback is once again one of the deepest positions on the Jets' roster entering the season. Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, and Michael Carter II are locked in as the starting trio, with third-round rookie Azareye'h Thomas also guaranteed a roster spot.

Qwan'tez Stiggers is expected to make the roster as a core special-teamer and perhaps the Jets' dime cornerback. Jarrick Bernard-Converse put together another impressive summer and deserves a roster spot as well, but his status is less secure.

Converted safety Jarius Monroe was also making a strong push for a spot on the 53 before suffering a hamstring injury in Friday's preseason finale. The Jets will likely try to keep him around in some capacity, possibly as an IR candidate.

SAF (4)

Andre Cisco
Tony Adams
Malachi Moore
Isaiah Oliver

This position group feels relatively settled. Andre Cisco and Tony Adams will enter the year as the team's starters. Fourth-round rookie Malachi Moore put together an impressive preseason finale and could push Adams for a starting job sooner rather than later.

Isaiah Oliver returns to fill an important role as a versatile depth defensive back and regular special-teamer. Oliver will serve as both a backup safety and likely the team's top backup nickel cornerback.

Special Teams (3)

Nick Folk (K)
Austin McNamara (P)
Thomas Hennessy (LS)

There shouldn't be any drama here. Nick Folk reunited with the Jets this last month and easily disposed of rookie UFL standout Harrison Mevis in the kicker battle.

Austin McNamara was one of the best punters in the NFL this summer, while long snapper Thomas Hennessy remains the Jets' longest-tenured player.