5 undrafted rookies who can make the NY Jets 53-man roster

The NY Jets have managed to find a few undrafted gems in recent years, with players like Bryce Huff, Zonovan Knight, and Tony Adams carving out roles with the team. They're hoping that's the case again this year.

This year's Jets undrafted class is one of the largest they've put together in recent memory. The Jets signed 13 rookies in the hours following the 2023 NFL Draft and added two more standouts from their rookie minicamp to bring the total of undrafted rookies on the Jets' roster to 15.

Of course, not all of them will stick around with the team. While some will undoubtedly earn a place on the practice squad or even active roster, others face an uphill battle to make it past the preseason.

That said, which Jets undrafted rookies stand the best chance of making the initial 53-man roster? Let's take a look at five potential candidates.

5. T.J. Luther, WR, NY Jets

The Jets signed a whopping four undrafted wide receivers this year, including rookie minicamp standout Jerome Kapp. That suggests the team believes one of these receivers could make the 53-man roster.

Perhaps that player will be Gardner-Webb product T.J. Luther. The Jets reportedly beat out numerous teams to sign Luther, who was a hot commodity in the moments following the draft.

A projected late-round pick, Luther ran a speedy 4.45 40-yard dash at his pro day and racked up over 1,000 yards as a senior in college. His experience as both a kick returner and on special teams could help him secure a spot as well.

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt gave Luther the third-highest odds of any Jets undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster this year. While I won't go quite that high, Luther definitely has a chance to stick around if he impresses this summer.

4. Caleb Johnson, LB, NY Jets

The Jets' linebacker corps is wide open at the moment, which bodes well for Caleb Johnson's chances of surviving roster cuts. Johnson is a UCLA transfer who quietly put together a productive career at Miami.

At just 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, Johnson is undersized for the position, but he makes up for it with speed and athleticism. His 4.40 40-yard dash would have ranked second among all linebackers at the NFL Combine.

Johnson is also an experienced special teamer who fits the mold of what the Jets look for in their linebackers. Outside of C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams, no linebacker on the Jets' roster is guaranteed a role in 2023.

If Johnson comes in this summer and impresses, there should be a roster spot waiting for him. Don't be surprised if he sneaks onto the active roster for Week 1.

3. Jason Brownlee, WR, NY Jets

From a purely financial standpoint, Jason Brownlee should have the best chance to make the Week 1 roster of any Jets undrafted rookie. That's because the Jets handed him a team-leading $246,000 in guarantees to sign last month.

That sum was actually the fourth-highest any undrafted player received this year. The Jets clearly think very highly of Brownlee's chances to make the 53-man roster and will likely give him every opportunity to prove his worth this summer.

Brownlee led Southern Miss in receiving in all three seasons he spent with the program. He earned first-team All-C-USA honors in 2022 and was seen as a likely Day 3 draft pick.

At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Brownlee thrives as a physical, contested-catch receiver. His most likely route to a roster spot would be to beat out former second-round pick Denzel Mims as the two fill similar roles in the offense.

2. Xavier Gipson, WR, NY Jets

Jason Brownlee isn't the only rookie wide receiver the Jets paid top dollar to sign, however. The Jets also handed Stephen F. Austin standout Xavier Gipson a hefty $165,000 in guarantees — the second-highest on the team.

Gipson stands at just 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, but he possesses 4.40 speed and electric playmaking ability. He racked up a whopping 4,311 yards over four years at Stephen F. Austin, which also happens to be the alma mater of John Franklin-Myers.

Gipson was actually a three-star recruit who originally committed to SMU before poor grades forced him to go the FCS route. He wasn't exactly an unknown prospect coming out of high school.

The addition of Randall Cobb could stand in Gipson's way of making the roster as the primary backup slot receiver and potential punt returner, but Cobb has just $250,000 in guarantees on his deal. Don't rule out Gipson pushing him for a roster spot this summer.

1. Trey Dean III, S, NY Jets

Perhaps the most high-profile undrafted player the Jets signed this spring is Trey Dean III. Dean is a former high-profile who started 40 games (appeared in 62) at the University of Florida from 2018-2022.

Dean never quite lived up to his potential at Florida, but his talent is evident. The 23-year-old is a versatile safety with excellent size and length at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.

The biggest reason that Dean went undrafted is his poor testing numbers, although it should be noted that he took part in drills at the Combine with an injured hip.

The Jets' backup safety jobs are wide open this summer, and if Dean can make some plays and find a home on special teams, there should be every opportunity for him to secure a roster spot.