4 unknown players who could sneak onto the NY Jets' 53-man roster

The NY Jets are set to enter the 2024 season with the deepest and most talented roster they've boasted in well over a decade. On paper, this Jets roster is one of the best in the entire NFL.

There are fair and genuine concerns regarding the health of the team and various uncertainties, namely Aaron Rodgers, but there's no denying the talent this Jets roster possesses from top to bottom.

While that's good news for the Jets, it's not great news for the bottom-of-the-roster players looking to carve out a role. The battle for the final few roster spots this summer is fiercer than it's been in a long time.

The many notable training camp standouts for the Jets have been well-documented at this point. Instead, let's take a closer look at the under-the-radar players who could be pushing for a roster spot.

4. Jalyn Holmes, DL, NY Jets

Despite a pair of high-profile offseason departures, the Jets' defensive line still remains one of the strongest and deepest in the NFL. That means it could be challenging for a player like Jalyn Holmes to earn a spot.

But Jets head coach Robert Saleh typically likes to carry 10 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, which bodes well for players like Holmes fighting for a rotation job. He has a real shot to make the team as well.

Holmes has quietly impressed this summer and has received plenty of work with the second-team defense. The 28-year-old appeared in five games for the Jets in 2023 and offers the versatility the team covets.

The Jets are searching for players who can replace John Franklin-Myers, and at 6-foot-5, 283 pounds, Holmes fits the bill. Don't be surprised if he sticks around this season, quite possibly on the active roster.

3. Xazavian Valladay, RB, NY Jets

Much has been made of the battle for the Jets' backup running back spots this offseason. Rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis seem locked in as RB2 and RB3 behind Breece Hall, but it's still unclear who will be the team's fourth running back.

Tarik Cohen, who once seemed like the favorite for the job, abruptly retired last week leaving Israel Abanikanda and Xazavian Valladay as the only two possible options remaining on the roster.

Abanikanda's struggles have been well-documented this offseason. Meanwhile, Valladay surprisingly received some work with the first-team offense when Hall was sidelined during minicamp. He's running right alongside Abanikanda in terms of reps.

The Jets also trust Valladay on special teams, evidenced by his role in the only game he played last season. Abanikanda played just five special-teams snaps as a rookie, and they all came as a returner.

It's possible the Jets will add another player or simply decide to only carry three running backs on their 53-man roster. But if it's between Abanikanda and Valladay, the latter has a legitimate chance to win the job.

2. Sam Eguavoen, LB, NY Jets

Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer has more say in roster decisions than most coaches who hold the same position in the NFL. If Boyer likes a player, there's a really good chance that they're going to stick around.

That could help a player like Sam Eguavoen solidify his roster spot this summer. The veteran linebacker was a special-teams regular for the Jets in 2023, appearing in 15 games while playing 70 percent of special-teams snaps.

Boyer seems to really trust Eguavoen as one of his core special-teamers, which might make it difficult for a young player like Zaire Barnes to beat him out for a roster spot.

Barnes was regularly a healthy scratch in 2023, only appearing in four games while the likes of Eguavoen and Chazz Surratt played over him strictly due to their special-teams prowess.

Unless the Jets believe Barnes can step up and fill a similar role in 2024, Eguavoen feels like a safe bet to make the initial 53-man roster.

1. Malik Taylor, WR, NY Jets

The battle for the final spots on the Jets' wide receiver depth chart this summer will be a fascinating one, as the likes of Jason Brownlee, Irvin Charles, Malik Taylor, and others are all making their cases.

Brownlee has come on strong lately after a slow start to the summer. Charles is one of the Jets' top special-teamers and has become even more valuable following the departure of Justin Hardee. But don't sleep on Taylor.

The former Green Bay Packers wideout has experience with both Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett and has flashed his big-play ability in practice this summer. Taylor has made more standout plays than both Brownlee and Charles combined.

The final one or two spots in the Jets' wide receiver room will likely come down to performance in the preseason. Taylor can solidify his case with a strong showing this month.

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