NY Jets 53-man roster prediction following the 2023 NFL Draft

NY Jets, Garrett Wilson
NY Jets, Garrett Wilson / Mike Stobe/GettyImages
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NY Jets running backs (4)

  • Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, Israel Abanikanda

The Jets added former Pittsburgh standout Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round of this year's draft. He will essentially replace Ty Johnson on the team's roster following Johnson's surprise release last month.

Breece Hall is still recovering from a torn ACL, but the expectation is that he will be ready for Week 1. If he suffers a setback, though, don't be surprised if the Jets add a veteran in free agency.

Michael Carter will look to bounce back following a disappointing sophomore season. He will be competing for playing time with the likes of Abanikanda and Zonovan Knight.

Fullback Nick Bawden doesn't make the cut, but there's a chance the Jets keep him on the practice squad if they want a true fullback under contract. Undrafted rookie Travis Dye is a potential practice squad candidate as well.

NY Jets wide receivers (5)

  • Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman, Denzel Mims

There's still a possibility that the Jets trade or release Corey Davis before Week 1, but after not adding a single wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft, the safe bet is that he will remain with the team.

Davis returns alongside Garrett Wilson and newcomers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in a new-look Jets' wide receiver room. The real battle here is for the fifth and potentially sixth roster spots.

I gave the edge to Denzel Mims, who will be entering the final year of his rookie contract, but don't be surprised if one of the team's undrafted rookies pushes for a spot. Stephen F. Austin's Xavier Gipson, Southern Miss' Jason Brownlee, and Gardner-Webb's T.J. Luther are all intriguing prospects in their own right.

Others such as Irvin Charles, Malik Taylor, and Diontae Spencer are long shots unless the latter can carve out a role as a return specialist.