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NY Jets 2021: Final 53-man roster cuts tracker (Updated)

ByJustin Fried|
NY Jets
NY Jets | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The NY Jets have begun the process of making final roster cuts to trim their roster to 53 players. All 32 NFL teams will be required to cut down their rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

But just like other teams, the Jets are getting a head start.

There will be a number of difficult cuts to make this summer with various position groups having fierce roster battles. From wide receiver to the defensive line to cornerback, expect a few notable players to find themselves out of a roster spot.

And of course, there are always a few surprises sprinkled in as well.

General manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh, and the rest of the Jets' decision-makers will have their hands full as they look to make a slew of roster moves over the next 48 hours.

Don't discount the possibility of waiver claims either. With the second spot on the waiver wire, the Jets are in prime position to make a new addition or two before the start of the season.

Below is a list of all the roster moves the Jets have reportedly made so far. This list will be updated in real-time so be sure to check back frequently to keep up to date with every move the Jets make.

NY Jets Roster Cuts Tracker

Lamar Jackson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and he went on to start six games for the Jets as a rookie.

His most infamous contribution came on the last-second Hail Mary against the Las Vegas Raiders where Jackson was burnt by rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs for the game-winning touchdown.

Jackson was always a longshot to make the 53-man roster given the new additions in the offseason, but he's a prime practice squad candidate if he passes through waivers.

Lawrence Cager was signed as an undrafted free agent last offseason and played in two games with the Jets during his rookie season.

Standing at 6-foot-5, Cager is an intriguing red-zone threat who could still be developed further. He hauled in a touchdown during the Jets' first preseason game against the New York Giants.

A crowded wide receiver room meant that Cager was always a longshot to make the team, but he could find his way back onto the practice squad in the near future.

Signed last December, J.T. Hassell played in three games with the Jets in 2020 with his most notable moment being a blocked punt in the team's Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Hassell put together a strong summer and looked to have a decent chance to make the 53-man roster as a reserve safety. However, the addition of Sharrod Neasman and the recent return of Ashtyn Davis probably ended those hopes.

Hassell is another excellent practice squad candidate. This also means that Neasman should make the final roster, assuming the Jets carry four safeties.

The Jets signed Aaron Adeoye only a week ago after he was waived by the Baltimore Ravens. He has an incredibly interesting background having played in the Champions Indoor Football League, The Spring League, and Alliance of American Football.

However, he was never going to crack a deep defensive line rotation and he'll look to join the practice squad. But given that he's already 28-years-old, the Jets could very well look elsewhere.

Signed by the Jets in April, Corey Levin was expected to compete for one of the depth interior offensive line roles on the team.

He has experience playing both guard and center and saw reps at both positions this summer. However, despite losing the likes of Alex Lewis and Cameron Clark, Levin still couldn't crack a depleted unit.

Levin is a potential practice squad candidate while this opens up the door for Jimmy Murray to potentially make the roster.

Jeremiah Valoaga was signed by the Jets in July after spending the previous two years with the Raiders. He had a stint with the 49ers in 2019 where he crossed paths with Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

However, he was little more than a camp body and was never a serious contender for a roster spot. Given the injuries at defensive end, the Jets could keep him on their practice squad, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he's looking for a new team either.

The Jets signed Josh Johnson in early August as the team looked to add a veteran to their QB room. He played sparingly throughout the summer, but received the start in the third preseason game and played quite well.

However, it wasn't enough to earn him the backup quarterback job. That presumably leaves Mike White as the de facto QB2 unless the Jets add someone in the coming days.

Johnson could be a candidate for the practice squad if the Jets keep White as the backup and want a veteran around.

Jimmy Murray has been with the Jets since November of 2019, but he's yet to play in a game with the team. Murray seemed to have a decent shot of making the team as a reserve lineman, especially after replacing Dan Feeney in the final preseason game of the summer.

Instead, Murray is likely bound for the practice squad again. There's a chance he's promoted to the active roster once Chuma Edoga and/or Conor McDermott land on either the short-term IR or PUP list.

The Jets claimed David Moore off waivers after he was waived by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month. One of the most highly-touted undrafted players, Moore was a popular name on the waiver wire, but the Jets were able to scoop him up first.

The former Grambling State standout is an ideal developmental project and should land on the practice squad.

  • Hamilcar Rashed Jr., DE - SOURCE

The Jets signed Hamilcar Rashed Jr. as an undrafted free agent shortly following the 2021 NFL Draft. Rashed was one of the most high-profile undrafted signings the Jets made and he was seen as a possible roster candidate.

However, the addition of Shaq Lawson likely cost Rashed a roster spot. Still, following an impressive summer, he seems like a lock for the practice squad if he passes through waivers.

Expect to see plenty of Rashed in 2021, even though he didn't make the original 53-man roster.

Vyncint Smith has been with the Jets for the last couple of years and was in competition for one of the final wide receiver spots on the roster.

He ran with the first-team offense at times this summer indicating that there was a decent chance he'd stick around. But with a logjam at his position, the Jets couldn't keep him on the active roster.

Smith is a possible practice squad candidate. Meanwhile, this good news for Braxton Berrios and Jeff Smith who were competing with Vyncint Smith for roster spots.

Josh Adams impressed in the final preseason game, but it wasn't enough for him to earn a roster spot. The Jets will likely carry four running backs into the regular season with La'Mical Perine besting Adams for that final spot.

Adams will likely head to the practice squad if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Perhaps the most notable undrafted addition the Jets made this offseason, Kenny Yeboah will likely land on the team's practice squad if he passes through waivers.

Yeboah's most notable moment undoubtedly came with his game-tying Hail Mary catch in the team's final preseason game. He finished that game with four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to earn him a roster spot.

A favorite of Robert Saleh from his days in San Francisco, the Jets signed Ronald Blair in the spring and he was expected to be a part of the defensive end rotation.

His release certainly comes as a surprise, but it's very possible the Jets look to bring him back once roster moves are made tomorrow.

Daniel Brown has been one of the Jets' core special teamer for the last few years and he led the team in special-teams snaps a year ago.

Brown doesn't offer much outside of his special-teams abilities, but he could find his way onto the practice squad and with the option to elevate him during the season.

A veteran of the AAF and XFL, Elijah Campbell was signed to the Jets' practice squad late last year and went on to appear in three games. He impressed early this summer and even competed for the starting nickel cornerback job.

But after losing out to Michael Carter II and Javelin Guidry, there wasn't room for him on the roster. Campbell is a possible practice squad candidate given his versatility.

Noah Dawkins was one of the biggest risers from the summer as he went from just another face on the roster to the starting WILL linebacker in practice and for the final preseason game.

His release comes as a surprise as it leaves the Jets with just four healthy linebackers. But he could return once the team places Jarrad Davis on the short-term IR.

Signed as an undrafted free agent this past May, Camilo Eifler was always a longshot to make the 53-man roster. He made some plays in the preseason, particularly in the second game, and has a good chance to stick around and develop on the practice squad.

This is one of the more surprising cuts announced. The release of Ryan Griffin leaves the Jets with just one true tight end on the active roster in Tyler Kroft.

The Jets can use converted fullback Trevon Wesco in that role, but it's likely the team makes at least one addition over the next 24-48 hours.

Keep an eye on Zach Ertz and waiver-wire candidates such as Jacob Hollister and Tanner Hudson.

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Purdue in the offseason, Grant Hermanns seems like a good bet to land on the practice squad as a developmental project.

D.J. Montgomery spent all of last season on the Jets' practice squad after being claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns. He made a few plays this summer and could return to the practice squad along with a few other wide receivers.

The James Morgan experiment is over, at least when it comes to saving him a spot on the active roster. Just one year after being drafted in the fourth round, the Jets release the former FIU quarterback.

Morgan is likely bound for the practice squad, assuming he passes through waivers.

Another slight surprise, Sharrod Neasman seemed to be a roster probable with Ashtyn Davis sidelined to start the year. His release leaves the Jets with just two healthy safeties.

It's possible Neasman is brought back once IR moves are made.

  • Del'Shawn Phillips, LB - SOURCE

The Jets signed Del'Shawn Phillips this offseason looking to add further depth to their linebacker corps. But despite an overall thin group of linebackers, Phillips didn't make the cut.

The former Buffalo Bills linebacker is a possible practice squad candidate, although he didn't doo much to separate from the pack this summer.

The Jets signed Tanzel Smart to their practice squad last November and he went on to play in three games with the team recording three tackles.

Smart actually out together a very solid summer and was a dark horse to make the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, the Jets were just too deep at defensive tackle to warrant giving Smart a spot.

The Jets signed Isaiah Williams a little over a week ago following a slew of offensive line injuries. Williams has experience with Robert Saleh, Mike LaFleur and company meaning he could find his way onto the practice squad.

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