NY Jets news: Post-minicamp 53-man roster predictions

NY Jets safeties (4):

- Marcus Maye, Lamarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis, J.T. Hassell

Three of these players are roster locks. And truth be told, the fourth of them was the final player we included in this roster projection. He was the 53rd man.

Marcus Maye is still looking for his long-term extension and will have until July 15th to work out a deal with the Jets. If not, he'll play the 2021 season under the franchise tag and be motivated to up his market value with another standout season.

The Jets signed veteran Lamarcus Joyner this offseason and the plan appears to start him at free safety opposite Maye.

Joyner had a difficult two seasons with the Raiders but should be primed for a bounce-back season now that he's playing his natural position again.

2020 third-rounder Ashtyn Davis had an up-and-down rookie season and will likely begin the year behind Joyner. He should still see plenty of playing time as Robert Saleh likes to make use of three safeties in his defenses.

We gave the final roster spot to young safety J.T. Hassell who was signed by the Jets last December. Hassell impressed on specials in limited action last season even blocking a punt in the Los Angeles Rams game.

But perhaps more importantly, the Jets are pretty desperate for a true strong safety on their roster. Hassell, who played some linebacker in college, would give them just that.

It also helps that he played well this spring even picking off an errant pass from Zach Wilson.