5 NY Jets draft picks who may be playing their last game vs Giants

The NY Jets are just a few days away from roster cut day, and this year, the team will be forced to make some very difficult decisions. That's largely a product of the Jets boasting their most talented roster in years.

In reality, the vast majority of spots on the Jets' roster are already pretty much set in stone entering Saturday's preseason finale against the New York Giants. There are only a handful of roster spots still up for grabs.

The unfortunate truth for a number of young players on the Jets' roster is that Saturday could be the final time they don the green and white. That's also the case for a few former Jets draft picks.

From recent draft picks struggling to carve out a role to others who have found themselves sliding down the depth chart, let's take a look at five former Jets draft picks who are on the chopping block entering tonight's preseason game.

5. Zaire Barnes, LB, NY Jets

Only three linebackers on the Jets' roster are guaranteed spots at this time, Quincy Williams, C.J. Mosley, and Jamien Sherwood. The remaining 1-2 roster spots remain up for grabs.

One player who's firmly on the bubble is 2023 sixth-round pick Zaire Barnes. Barnes appeared in just four games as a rookie, filling in on special teams while Chazz Surratt was out injured. He was a healthy scratch for every other game.

Barnes has flashed his upside this summer, but the Jets still seem to prefer Surratt and Sam Eguavoen as special-teams options. Those two veterans, as well as the young Marcelino McCrary-Ball, remain his primary competition.

Barnes needs to prove to the Jets that he can not only offer upside as a backup linebacker but that he can also play an important role on special teams. He has one more game to prove his worth.

4. Jaylen Key, S, NY Jets

This year's Mr. Irrelevant pick, Jaylen Key, was also fighting an uphill battle to make the Jets' roster. The Jets re-signed Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis in the offseason to join Tony Adams in their safety room.

The team also signed veteran Isaiah Oliver and moved him to safety, giving the Jets an obvious top-four at the position. Right now, it seems unlikely that Key will be able to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Jets could carry as many as 10 defensive backs, which means that Key's primary competition would be Oliver and converted cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse. It's very difficult to imagine a scenario in which Key beats either of them out.

The former Alabama standout seems like a safe bet to make the practice squad, but barring a sudden change of events, he won't be on the active roster to start the year.

3. Zack Kuntz, TE, NY Jets

The Jets knew that they were drafting a project when they selected Zack Kuntz in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Penn State recruit was quite literally the most athletic tight end in NFL history, but he remained a major work in progress.

Unfortunately, the Jets haven't really seen that progress from him thus far. Kuntz spent most of his rookie season on the Jets' practice squad, only making a brief appearance in the team's final game of the year.

He's struggled to make an impact as either a blocker or receiver and seems well behind Kenny Yeboah and even veteran Anthony Firkser in the pecking order. It would be a stunner if he made the 53-man roster.

Perhaps the Jets choose to keep Kuntz around for another year of development on the practice squad, but his chances of making the 53-man roster are close to zero.

2. Max Mitchell, OT, NY Jets

Of all the players on this list, Max Mitchell might have the best chance to stick around on the active roster, but his stock has fallen in recent weeks and there's a chance the Jets cut ties.

Mitchell spent most of the summer working as one of the Jets' primary backup tackles, but he seems to have fallen behind Carter Warren on the depth chart. It's notable that Mitchell played the entire second half of the Jets' preseason win over the Carolina Panthers last week.

Mitchell offers guard versatility and does have 12 career starts under his belt, but he's currently the fifth tackle on the depth chart. If the Jets prefer to carry an extra backup interior lineman or even a player at another position, he could be the odd man out.

Tonight's preseason game is Mitchell's last opportunity to prove that he deserves another year on the 53-man roster.

1. Israel Abanikanda, RB, NY Jets

Israel Abanikanda's tumble down the running back depth chart has been discussed at length this offseason. The former Pittsburgh standout entered the 2024 NFL Draft as the Jets' de facto RB2, only to soon find himself working behind two Day 3 picks.

Abanikanda seemed like an obvious roster cut entering the summer, but he's run well in the preseason and bolstered his stock. Perhaps he's done enough to convince the Jets to keep him around another year.

The Jets don't really have much competition for RB4 behind Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis, and Abanikanda seems to be decently ahead of the likes of Xazavian Valladay and Deon Jackson on the depth chart.

If the Jets choose to carry four running backs, Abanikanda should have a roster spot, barring an unexpected waiver claim/veteran signing. He has one final chance to make a lasting impression tonight.