NY Jets: Full analysis of the 53-man roster and practice squad

NY Jets Specialists

• Matt Ammendola (K), Braden Mann (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)

With a 16-player practice squad, some NFL teams have opted to carry an extra kicker or punter in reserve. Even the Detroit Lions, who initially cut down their roster to 53 without a single placekicker, now have two using the practice squad to store one.

The Jets are riding with rookie Matt Ammendola for now. Depending on how he performs when the real bullets start to fly, his performance could dictate how long he retains kicking duties for Gang Green.

NY Jets Defensive Linemen

• Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, Folorunso Fatukasi, Shaq Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Bryce Huff, Nathan Shepherd, Jonathan Marshall, Timmy Ward
• Practice Squad: Jabari Zuniga, Tanzel Smart, Ronald Blair, Hamilcar Rashed Jr.

What a difference a scheme change to the 4-3 makes. The Jets are carrying nine defensive linemen on their 53-man roster and four extra players at the position on their practice squad.

Joe Douglas made a move for a veteran edge rusher in Shaq Lawson to help ease the loss of Carl Lawson. The Jets are stocked up on the interior of their line, but the real question will be the production of their ends.

The acquisition of Timmy Ward off waivers from Kansas City is a curious one. The Jets not only liked him enough to get him onto their 53, but released a third-round pick in Jabari Zuniga to complete the transaction.

It's a sign that the Jets like Ward's long-term potential.