Projecting the final NY Jets 53-player roster and 16-player practice squad

NY Jets Offensive Line (9): Duane Brown, George Fant, Laken Tomlinson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Connor McGovern, Dan Feeney, Nate Herbig, Max Mitchell, Chuma Edoga

NY Jets Injured Reserve: Mekhi Becton

NY Jets Practice Squad: Conor McDermott, Ross Pierschbacher

Out of the mix: Grant Hermanns, Chris Glaser & Derrick Kelly

The Becton injury and Duane Brown's late arrival have opened the door for other players to get meaningful reps at tackle. But the Jets do not have a comfortable depth situation on the outside at tackle if Fant or Brown were to miss time. 

I would put Chuma Edoga's name in pencil if Joe Douglas sees an offensive tackle on waivers that he prefers. The clock has been ticking on Edoga's Jets career for a while now, and he's a pre-Joe Douglas era player drafted before the GM arrived at Florham Park. 

Your backup linemen need to have the versatility to play multiple positions. Dan Feeney isn't sexy. But his ability to play various spots guarantees that he will be dressed for every game when he is healthy. The team really likes Herbig and Mitchell. 

Practice squad offensive linemen are very important, and they can be called up at a moment's notice to provide depth on game day. In a perfect world, if he is healthy, Veteran Conor McDermott finds a spot on the PS rather than the 53. However, he could open the season on IR.

NY Jets Defensive Linemen (9): Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, Michael Clemons, Bryce Huff, Tanzel Smart

NY Jets Practice Squad: Jonathan Marshall, Bradlee Anae, Jabari Zuniga

Out of the mix: Solomon Thomas, Nathan Shepherd, Vinny Curry

The likelihood that the Jets will be able to sneak Tanzel Smart onto their practice squad is a long shot. He will get claimed on waivers if he doesn't make the 53. The same could be stated for Marshall, Zuniga, and Anae. Sneaking them on the PS will be tricky. It's challenging to justify carrying six or more edge rushers on the roster. 

Vinny Curry is a candidate for IR, and the veteran could be stashed there for the time being.

By far, this is the Jets' deepest position. They will try to keep as many players as possible from this group. Solomon Thomas and Nathan Shepherd could easily be cut during this process. Many expect Thomas not to make the team. But veteran status and experience could be a determining factor in who survives the chopping block.

The projected configuration here has five defensive ends and four defensive tackles. However, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has talked up a fully functioning rotational system. Dressing ten defensive linemen every week seems excessive.  But the Jets' hands might be forced here unless they can work the trade market.