5 surprising players who could sneak onto the NY Jets roster

The NY Jets have the next two weeks to finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the start of the 2023 season. Of course, in the ever-changing world of the NFL, a roster is never truly "finalized."

But that doesn't stop fans and analysts alike from getting worked up over a team's initial 53-man roster. Many players on the Jets are still vying for one of those precious few roster spots.

The Jets have two more weeks of practice and a pair of preseason games to determine which players will make the cut. As is traditionally the case, there are bound to be a few surprises.

Let's take a look at five under-the-radar players who could sneak onto the Jets' initial 53-man roster.

5. Trey Dean, S, NY Jets

Three of the Jets' safety spots seem to be pretty secure. Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adams, and Adrian Amos all appear to be roster locks, leaving one or two open spots for the remainder of the Jets' safeties.

Former third-round pick Ashtyn Davis is the presumed favorite, given his special-teams experience. There's also rookie sixth-round pick Jarrick Bernard-Converse, who doubles as a cornerback and could start the year on the PUP list.

One player that shouldn't be overlooked, however, is undrafted rookie Trey Dean. Dean was a multi-year starter at Florida and one of the most high-profile undrafted players the Jets signed this year.

He's been impressive in each of the Jets' first two preseason games as well. If he could prove his worth on special teams, Dean has a chance to beat out Davis for a roster spot.

4. Xavier Gipson, WR, NY Jets

Most assume that the battle for the sixth wide receiver spot on the Jets' roster (assuming they carry six receivers) is between undrafted rookie Jason Brownlee and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Taylor. But there's another intriguing name in the mix.

Brownlee has gotten most of the attention, but fellow undrafted receiver Xavier Gipson still has a shot to make the team as well. Gipson has flashed in practices this summer and, most notably, has been the team's top kick/punt returner in the preseason.

It remains unclear who the Jets see as their primary return man entering the season. Perhaps the job could go to someone like Mecole Hardman, but Gipson is being given an opportunity to earn the role as well.

If Gipson impresses on special teams and as a returner, he might just steal that spot from both Brownlee and Taylor. He's not the favorite, but it wouldn't be wise to count him out.

3. Nick Bawden, FB, NY Jets

The Jets haven't carried a true fullback on their roster for an entire season in years, but 2023 could see the return of the position. A big reason for that is new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Hackett has found success with fullbacks/traditional H-backs in the past, and Nick Bawden could be a beneficiary of that. The former Detroit Lions draft pick played in nine games for the Jets in 2021 but missed all of 2022 due to injury.

Still, he's regularly worked with the first-team offense this summer. Bawden has been a common presence in the Jets' offense, so much so that it seems likely that the team plans to use a fullback in some capacity this season.

This would likely force the Jets to make an additional cut at either running back or, more likely, tight end. Bawden has a real chance to make the Jets' 53-man roster and become a key part of their offense.

2. Kenny Yeboah, TE, NY Jets

In a crowded Jets tight end room, someone like former undrafted free agent Kenny Yeboah tends to get overlooked. But don't be surprised if Yeboah finds his way onto the Jets' roster again this year.

Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, and Jeremy Ruckert are all roster locks. That leaves likely one (if that) spot for the likes of Yeboah, Zack Kuntz, and undrafted rookie E.J. Jenkins.

The Jets used a seventh-round pick on Kuntz, and they see him as a worthwhile developmental project, but the 6-foot-7 athletic freak hasn't done much to stand out this summer. He also notably has less guaranteed money in his contract than multiple undrafted rookies on the roster.

Yeboah has outplayed Kuntz this summer and offers valuable special-teams experience — he played 79 percent of the Jets' special-teams snaps in games he was active in last year. He should be considered the favorite to make the team over Kuntz at this stage.

1. Jimmy Moreland, CB, NY Jets

The Jets have arguably the best and deepest cornerback room in the NFL, so making the team as a bottom-of-the-roster cornerback isn't an easy task. Jimmy Moreland is making a strong case, though.

Moreland has been one of the most surprising standouts this summer and has impressed in both preseason games. He's hardly an unproven commodity either, with 37 NFL games and 10 career starts under his belt.

Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, and Justin Hardee aren't going anywhere. Echols is suspended for the first game of the season and thus won't count toward the 53-man roster, but the only regular who's really in jeopardy is Bryce Hall.

Hall has been battling an injury this summer and, despite his starting experience, isn't trusted to contribute on special teams. Moreland has arguably outplayed Hall and offers more special-teams experience.

Don't be shocked if Moreland beats out Hall for that final roster spot.