7 players likely playing their final game with the NY Jets on Sunday
By Justin Fried
![NY Jets, Denzel Mims NY Jets, Denzel Mims](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4504,h_2533,x_0,y_49/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/30/01frwp0yztm8k76fh4r4.jpg)
6. Nathan Shepherd, DT, NY Jets
Nathan Shepherd is one of just three holdovers from the Todd Bowles era making him one of the longest-tenured players on the roster. It's hard to believe, but Shepherd has been in New York for nearly half a decade.
That said, it's likely his time with the organization comes to an end this offseason with the former third-round pick set to hit free agency for the first time in his career.
Shepherd is little more than a backup defensive tackle who has made more headlines this season for his frequent penalties than his on-field accomplishments.
At 28-years-old, the Jets will look for a younger replacement and they very well might already have that player on their roster in 2021 sixth-round pick Jonathan Marshall.
7. Sheldon Rankins, DT, NY Jets
This one might come as a surprise to some, but it really shouldn't given how poor Sheldon Rankins has played this season. Rankins' struggles have flown a bit under the radar, but he's been one of the biggest culprits behind a shoddy Jets' run defense.
While he's never been known as a strong run defender, Rankins' abysmal 30.5 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade ranks 135th out of 141 qualified interior defensive linemen and is easily the worst of his career.
On top of that, he hasn't been nearly as effective as a pass-rusher as the Jets hoped he would be. Fortunately, the Jets essentially signed Rankins to a one-year contract last offseason as they can cut him and save $5.5 million with less than $1 million in dead cap.
Next. Calvin Ridley and 3 other wide receivers the NY Jets could trade for. dark
It's not a guarantee that the Jets go in this direction, but $6.25 million seems like a pretty high figure given how ineffective Rankins was in his first season with the team.