NY Jets final 53-man roster prediction: Many tough cuts were made

The NY Jets will be forced to trim their roster down from 90 players to just 53 over the next 24 hours. It's a difficult process for any NFL team, especially one with as deep of a roster as the Jets.

Just take last year, for example. The Jets had a whopping seven players claimed off waivers following roster cuts last summer. That's not even including the four other Jets players who were claimed off waivers before final cuts.

Head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that he expects more of the same this year. That means the Jets will have some very difficult cuts to make.

With final roster cuts approaching, we did our best to predict what the Jets' 53-man roster would look like after the dust settled. Here is our final prediction.

NY Jets quarterbacks (3)

• Aaron Rodgers
• Zach Wilson
• Tim Boyle

There isn't much drama at the top of the Jets' quarterback depth chart. Aaron Rodgers is the undisputed QB1, with Zach Wilson serving as his primary backup.

Tim Boyle will be with the Jets' organization in some capacity as the team's third-string quarterback. The only question is whether he will be on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.

The new emergency QB rule allows teams to have a third quarterback active on game days without said player counting toward the active player limit. For a QB to qualify for that rule, however, they must be on the 53-man roster.

This will likely lead to more NFL teams carrying three quarterbacks this season. I expect the Jets to be one of them. Boyle makes the cut for that reason.

NY Jets running backs (5)

• Breece Hall
• Dalvin Cook
• Michael Carter
• Israel Abanikanda
• Nick Bawden (FB)

The addition of Dalvin Cook shook up the Jets' running back room in a big way, and it's the reason why 2022 undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight misses out here.

Knight and 2023 undrafted free agent Travis Dye are victims of a crowded Jets running back room. Expect the Jets to bring back at least one (probably both) on their practice squad, although Knight feels likely to be claimed by another team.

The other decision the Jets have to make revolves around the fullback position. Nick Bawden has been regularly featured in the Jets' offense this summer, which makes me think that he has a spot on the 53-man roster.

It's also worth noting that Israel Abanikanda is still sidelined with a thigh injury and might not be ready for Week 1. I don't think he lands on the short-term IR, but it's not out of the question.

NY Jets wide receivers (6)

• Garrett Wilson
• Allen Lazard
• Randall Cobb
• Mecole Hardman
• Xavier Gipson
• Malik Taylor

This is probably the hardest position group to predict. The top four spots are all set in stone. Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Mecole Hardman are all guaranteed roster spots. Things get tricky after that.

The surprising retirement of Corey Davis potentially opens the door for two additional roster spots. Undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson made a strong case for one of those spots with his performance in the preseason finale.

Gipson has also worked as the Jets' primary kick and punt returner this summer, which gives him the edge. Malik Taylor has been sidelined with an injury, but he outplayed Jason Brownlee prior to his injury and has experience with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett.

The Jets would love to sneak Brownlee onto their practice squad as a developmental player. I wouldn't be shocked if the Jets made an addition here before Week 1, but for now, I have both Gipson and Taylor making the team.

NY Jets tight ends (3)

• Tyler Conklin
• C.J. Uzomah
• Jeremy Ruckert

This was another difficult call to make. The top three tight end spots on the roster aren't in question. Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, and Jeremy Ruckert will be on the 53-man roster.

The real question is, how many tight ends will the Jets carry? Full disclaimer: I had them carrying four until the very last roster cut. This was a tough decision.

Rookie seventh-round pick Zack Kuntz has elite physical upside, but he's failed to stand out much this summer and is probably better suited on the practice squad (assuming he doesn't get claimed).

Former undrafted rookie Kenny Yeboah has become a special-teams regular for Gang Green and could very well make the final roster. In the end, the presence of Nick Bawden allows the Jets to carry just three tight ends, but Yeboah was my final cut.

NY Jets offensive linemen (9)

• Duane Brown
• Laken Tomlinson
• Connor McGovern
• Alijah Vera-Tucker
• Mekhi Becton
• Billy Turner
• Max Mitchell
• Wes Schweitzer
• Joe Tippmann

The Jets' offensive line has been the talk of the summer — for both good and bad reasons. But after weeks of rotating, the team finally seems to have their starting five set.

Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Mekhi Becton will be the starting unit entering Week 1. Billy Turner and Max Mitchell will serve as the primary backup tackles. Wes Schweitzer and Joe Tippmann will be the backup interior linemen.

You'll notice the absence of fourth-round rookie Carter Warren. That's because Warren is dealing with an injury, and this prediction has him starting the season on the injured reserve.

Warren will have to be a part of the initial 53-man roster before he's placed on IR. Don't be surprised if the Jets temporarily release a vested veteran like Nick Bawden (or even Billy Turner or Justin Hardee) until they can place Warren on IR.

NY Jets defensive ends (6)

• Carl Lawson
• John Franklin-Myers
• Jermaine Johnson
• Will McDonald
• Bryce Huff
• Micheal Clemons

The Jets proved this summer what many fans already believed — they have the deepest defensive line in the NFL. It wasn't fair to see players like Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, and Bryce Huff dominating backup offensive lines.

Johnson seems primed for a monster season and should take on a larger role this year. The Jets will be forced to get creative to give all of these guys snaps, but there isn't much drama with this room.

All six of the players listed above are roster locks. The only question pertains to Carl Lawson and his health ahead of Week 1. Lawson has been dealing with a back injury and could land on the IR to start the season.

Much like with Carter Warren, Lawson will be a part of the initial 53-man roster. It's possible the Jets move him to the IR shortly after if they aren't optimistic about his current status.

NY Jets defensive tackles (4)

• Quinnen Williams
• Al Woods
• Quinton Jefferson
• Solomon Thomas

There are isn't really much drama here. Quinnen Williams is one of the best defensive players in football and will look to put together another outstanding season, especially not that he has his new contract.

Al Woods gives the Jets a big-bodied run-stuffer in the middle of their defense to pair with fellow free-agent addition Quinton Jefferson. Solomon Thomas rounds out one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL.

A player to watch here is Tanzel Smart. The Jets' coaching staff loves Smart and has kept him around on the practice squad for the last few years.

He made a case for a roster spot this summer, but it's tough to justify carrying 11 defensive linemen. I think Smart just misses the cut again and ends up back on the practice squad if he isn't picked up by another team.

NY Jets linebackers (5)

• C.J. Mosley
• Quincy Williams
• Jamien Sherwood
• Zaire Barnes
• Chazz Surratt

If you were to pinpoint the thinnest position on this Jets' roster, it probably has to be the linebacker position. C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams return as the unquestioned starters, while former fifth-round pick Jamien Sherwood steps into the third linebacker role.

There isn't much depth behind them, though. Rookie sixth-round pick Zaire Barnes flashed at points this summer and figures to be a core special-teamer. Many have the Jets only carrying four linebackers, but I gave an extra spot to Chazz Surratt.

Surratt is everything Robert Saleh looks for in a linebacker. He hits hard, is extremely athletic, and plays with a red-hot motor. Much like Barnes, Surratt could be a key player on special teams for the Jets.

Surratt was the final player on my 53-man roster, so his inclusion is far from a lock. I think his value on special teams is enough to earn him a spot.

NY Jets cornerbacks (5)

• Sauce Gardner
• D.J. Reed
• Michael Carter II
• Jimmy Moreland
• Justin Hardee

A reminder that Brandin Echols will begin the season on the suspended list, so he will not be on the initial 53-man roster. There is a possible surprise brewing at the cornerback position, though.

Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II aren't going anywhere. The same is true for special-teams ace Justin Hardee. The real roster battle here is between Bryce Hall and Jimmy Moreland.

Hall is a former fifth-round pick who, at one point, seemed like a potential building block of the future. Unfortunately, he was simply outplayed by Moreland this summer, and his lack of special-teams versatility doesn't help him here.

Moreland has legitimate NFL experience and, quite frankly, deserves the roster spot over Hall. He also has more experience on special teams, which only serves to strengthen his case.

NY Jets safeties (4)

• Jordan Whitehead
• Tony Adams
• Adrian Amos
• Ashtyn Davis

Jordan Whitehead and Tony Adams are roster locks as the Jets' projected starting safeties. It's been a meteoric rise for Adams, who has gone from undrafted rookie last season to Week 1 starting free safety in just a year's time.

Those are the only two safeties guaranteed roster spots, though. Yes, that includes veteran Adrian Amos. Amos has been quiet this summer and could be among the more surprising cuts the Jets make. I still gave him the nod, but I wouldn't be stunned if he was released.

That's primarily because the Jets have two other safeties who have made strong cases for roster spots — special-teams regular Ashtyn Davis and undrafted rookie Trey Dean.

Davis gets the slight nod because the Jets really value his special-teams experience. It was very difficult to leave Dean off the roster, and I wouldn't be shocked if the Jets carried five safeties. Keeping Chazz Surratt, however, allows me to justify cutting Dean.

NY Jets specialists (3)

• Greg Zuerlein (K)
• Thomas Morstead (P)
• Thomas Hennessy (LS)

This is the best special-teams core the Jets have had in a long time. Greg Zuerlein has been automatic for most of the summer. Thomas Morstead is an instant upgrade over Braden Mann. Thomas Hennessy is as consistent as any long snapper in the league.

The Jets should feel very confident in their special-teams unit.

NY Jets reserve lists

• Carter Warren (IR)
• Jarrick Bernard-Converse (PUP)
• Brandin Echols (suspended)

This prediction also projects that the Jets will make these three roster moves. Jarrick Bernard-Converse hasn't practiced all summer and seems likely to land on the PUP list to start the season.

Bernard-Converse and Echols will not have to be members of the initial 53-man roster. That's not true for Warren, though, as the rookie tackle will have to be on the initial roster before being transferred to the injured reserve.

The difference here is that a player cannot be placed on the PUP list if they practiced/played in a game during training camp. Bernard-Converse can be transferred from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list. Warren needs to be placed on the injured reserve.

This just means that the Jets will have to make one temporary roster move before placing Warren on IR. That could mean a vested veteran like Nick Bawden, Billy Turner, or Justin Hardee gets released with a handshake agreement to re-sign them in the near future.