NY Jets 53-man roster and 16-player practice squad prediction

NY Jets safeties

• Jordan Whitehead
• Lamarcus Joyner
• Jason Pinnock
• Will Parks

Jordan Whitehead and Lamarcus Joyner are your projected starting safeties while Jason Pinnock's strong summer has removed any slim possibility that he might not make the team. It's safe to say that he's a lock now.

The real battle is for that fourth safety spot, assuming the Jets carry four safeties. Veteran Will Parks has been competing with third-year safety Ashtyn Davis for what is very likely one roster spot.

Parks is a proven veteran with more than 75 career games under his belt and he's absolutely earned a roster spot with his performance both last year and this summer. As for Davis, he hasn't done much to help his case this summer.

The former third-round pick has been outplayed by his veteran teammate over the last few months and, quite frankly, it would be a travesty if he made it over Parks.

The Jets may not be top-heavy at the safety position, but they do have pretty good depth, as evidenced by the fact that Elijah Riley — a surprise early roster cut — was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after being waived by the Jets.

You could do a lot worse than Pinnock and Parks as your two backups.

NY Jets specialists

• Greg Zuerlein
• Braden Mann
• Thomas Hennessy

The Jets already ended any speculation regarding their specialists when they released the incumbent Eddy Pineiro this week. Pineiro's release means that veteran Greg Zuerlein will be the team's Week 1 kicker.

The Jets are now set to have had a different Week 1 kicker in each of the last seven seasons — a feat that is equal parts impressive as it is depressing. The team hopes that Zuerlein can buck the trend.

Braden Mann and Thomas Hennessy didn't face any competition this summer and will return to fulfill their respective roles.