NY Jets roster projections 1.0: Who's going to make the final 53?

The NY Jets are just weeks away from the start of one of the most important seasons in recent franchise history. Aaron Rodgers is back and he's expected to be joined by a revamped roster that seems primed to compete for a Super Bowl in 2024.

The Jets bolstered their offensive line, improved their lackluster wide receiver room, and added new pieces on defense to solidify their roster as one of the best in the NFL entering the regular season.

With such a loaded roster, it can be difficult to put together 53-man roster projections. The Jets are going to be forced to cut ties with some talented players this summer. There are really only a handful of roster spots still left undecided.

The next few weeks will help determine exactly which players earn those final few roster spots. But before the preseason arrives and before training camp fully kicks into gear, let's take our first stab at predicting what the Jets' 53-man roster might look like come Week 1.

Quarterbacks (2)

• Aaron Rodgers
• Tyrod Taylor
• Jordan Travis* (NFI list)

The Jets currently have five quarterbacks on their 90-man roster, but that number is going to be cut down soon enough. Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor are obvious locks for the 53-man roster, and the same is true for rookie Jordan Travis when he's healthy.

Unfortunately, the rookie fifth-round pick remains on the active/NFI list and doesn't seem close to a return, per the latest update from Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Travis can be transferred to the reserve/NFI list on roster cut day and return after missing a minimum of six weeks.

Undrafted rookie Andrew Peasley is likely competing with UFL MVP Adrian Martinez for a spot on the practice squad.

Running Backs (4)

• Breece Hall
• Braelon Allen
• Isaiah Davis
• Israel Abanikanda

The unexpected retirement of Tarik Cohen possibly throws a wrench into the Jets' plans at this position, as the veteran running back/return man was putting together an excellent camp.

The first three spots on the depth chart are pretty much set in stone. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are all locked into roster spots, leaving possibly one spot open for either Israel Abanikanda or Xazavian Valladay.

Abanikanda has plummeted down the depth chart and Cohen looked to be beating him out for a roster spot, but the door has been left open for last year's fifth-round pick. He needs to prove his value as a return man this summer if given the chance.

Don't be surprised if the Jets make an addition at this position either in the coming days or around roster cut day. Valladay is also someone to watch, as he's worked ahead of Abanaikanda for much of the summer to this point.

Wide Receivers (6)

• Garrett Wilson
• Mike Williams
• Xavier Gipson
• Malachi Corley
• Allen Lazard
• Irvin Charles

The first five spots here are all locked in. The Jets expect Mike Williams, currently on the active/PUP list, to be ready for Week 1, so he should slide in alongside Garrett Wilson as the team's two starting wide receivers.

Xavier Gipson and rookie Malachi Corley are competing for the starting slot receiver job and both could see snaps on special teams as returners as well. Allen Lazard's contract means that he's guaranteed a roster spot, but don't be surprised if he's a healthy scratch come Week 1.

There are a few names vying for what could be one roster spot at the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart, but I'll give the edge to Irvin Charles because of special-teams prowess. Charles is the Jets' top returner gunner.

Malik Taylor and Jason Brownlee will be prime practice squad candidates if they don't make the 53-man roster. Brownlee needs a strong summer to justify his spot on the roster given his lack of special-teams versatility.

Tight Ends (4)

• Tyler Conklin
• Jeremy Ruckert
• Kenny Yeboah
• Anthony Firkser (TE/FB)

Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert should both be integral parts of the Jets' offense in 2024. The real question is which players will make the 53-man roster behind them.

The Jets signed veteran tight end/fullback hybrid Anthony Firkser this week, and he seems like an obvious replacement for veteran Nick Bawden who was released. Firkser could serve as the Jets' third tight end and double as a fullback/H-back.

Kenny Yeboah sneaks onto the 53-man roster primarily due to his special-teams ability. Yeboah only played five games last season (primarily due to injury), but played 78 percent of special-teams snaps in those games.

2023 seventh-round pick Zack Kuntz seems destined for the practice squad again, and he could be joined by undrafted rookie Lincoln Sefcik, who fills a similar hybrid role to Firkser.

Offensive Line (9)

• Tyron Smith
• John Simpson
• Joe Tippmann
• Alijah Vera-Tucker
• Morgan Moses
• Olu Fashanu
• Wes Schweitzer
• Carter Warren
• Max Mitchell

The Jets revamped their offensive line in the offseason, adding the likes of Tyron Smith, John Simpson, and Morgan Moses to join incumbent starters Joe Tippmann and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The Jets also used their first-round pick on Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Expect the rookie to serve as the Jets' primary backup left tackle behind Smith.

Carter Warren has practiced all summer as the Jets' second-string right tackle while Max Mitchell's guard flexibility means he should have a spot. Wes Schweitzer is the primary backup interior offensive lineman.

Jake Hanson was admittedly my final cut in this roster projection. It would make sense to see the Jets carry a 10th offensive lineman, particularly another interior lineman, but they could always stash Hanson (and guys like Xavier Newman or Chris Glaser) on their practice squad for the time being.

Defensive Ends (6)

• Haason Reddick
• Jermaine Johnson
• Will McDonald
• Micheal Clemons
• Eric Watts
• Takkarist McKinley

The Jets made wholesale changes to their defensive end room in the offseason, swapping out Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers for Haason Reddick, who has yet to report to camp. The Reddick situation should eventually sort itself out, so his roster status shouldn't be in jeopardy.

Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald will both be key parts of the defensive line rotation in 2024 and while Micheal Clemons is coming off a disappointing 2023 season, the Jets seem to like him as a pseudo-JFM replacement.

Undrafted rookie Eric Watts has consistently impressed throughout the spring and into the summer. He feels like a strong bet for the 53-man roster if he continues to impress. The same goes for veteran Takkarist McKinley, who has been one of the Jets' best players this summer.

Defensive Tackles (4)

• Quinnen Williams
• Javon Kinlaw
• Solomon Thomas
• Leki Fotu

This position group feels fairly straightforward. Quinnen Williams returns as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Javon Kinlaw has been brought in to replace Quinton Jefferson as another interior pass-rusher alongside Williams.

Solomon Thomas returns and should be locked into a roster spot. Leki Fotu is essentially your Al Woods replacement, as a run-stuffing 1-tech lineman in the middle of the defensive line.

It's possible someone like undrafted rookie Leonard Taylor III could make some noise in the preseason, but he's had a quiet start to camp and seems more likely to be a practice squad guy. The same is true for regular practice squad resident and fan favorite Tanzel Smart.

Linebackers (5)

• C.J. Mosley
• Quincy Williams
• Jamien Sherwood
• Chazz Surratt
• Sam Eguavoen

The Jets have arguably the NFL's best linebacker duo in C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. The rest of the linebacker room will be comprised of primary backup Jamien Sherwood and anyone who can offer special teams value.

Chazz Surratt has a lot of fans in the Jets' building and seems like a safe bet to make the team as a core special-teamer. Some might be surprised by the inclusion of Sam Eguavoen, but the veteran linebacker appeared in 15 games for the Jets last season and played 70 percent of special-teams snaps.

Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer has a lot of say in the Jets' final roster spots, and he seems to prefer Surratt and Eguavoen over younger linebackers like Zaire Barnes and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who could both be practice squad-bound.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Sauce Gardner
• D.J. Reed
• Michael Carter II
• Brandin Echols
• Qwan'tez Stiggers
• Jarrick Bernard-Converse

The Jets have the undisputed best cornerback room in the NFL. Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II form one of the best cornerback trios the league has seen in quite some time, and the depth behind them is impressive as well.

Brandin Echols is competing with rookie fifth-round pick Qwan'tez Stiggers for the primary fourth cornerback job. Echols is the incumbent, but Stiggers is putting together an impressive camp.

The Jets have moved 2023 sixth-round pick Jarrick Bernard-Converse back to a full-time cornerback this summer, and he's been making waves in training camp. He has a real chance to earn a roster spot in a crowded cornerback room.

Safeties (4)

• Chuck Clark
• Tony Adams
• Ashtyn Davis
• Isaiah Oliver

The safety position is easily the weakest group in the Jets' defense, but there's plenty to like about a trio of Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, and Ashtyn Davis.

Clark tore his ACL during OTAs last spring but the longtime Baltimore Ravens safety should serve as a much-needed (and more consistent) upgrade over the departed Jordan Whitehead. Davis re-signed in the offseason and seems primed to reassume his role as the Jets' third safety.

The Jets have also converted former first-round cornerback Isaiah Oliver to safety after signing him this offseason. He should pretty much be a roster lock. That's bad news for 2024 Mr. Irrelevant Jaylen Key, who seems more likely to land on the practice squad than the active roster.

Special Teams (3)

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

There shouldn't be any competition here. The Jets re-signed Greg Zuerlein and Thomas Morstead in the offseason, solidifying the team's special teams as one of the best units in the NFL. Thomas Hennessy completes the trio of consistency.

Kicker Austin Seibert was signed to a futures deal by the Jets in the offseason, but his only chance of sticking around (barring injury) is on the practice squad.

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