Updated Jets 53-man roster projection after quality 2026 NFL Draft

The New York Jets' strong 2026 NFL Draft has helped Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn purge many Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh holdovers on the roster.

The depth chart, unlike most years, no longer needs to bank on undrafted free agents and young players emerging as contributors.

As things currently stand, a depth chart that was bordering on pitiful one year ago now has a clear core of standouts they can build around.

Updated Jets 53-man roster projection

QB (3): Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe

This is the room that could see a veteran addition come in to change the calculus, as a veteran like Russell Wilson could ensure that a rookie like Klubnik or a career backup like Zappe has to play if Geno Smith falters. The Brady Cook error comes to an end.

RB (4): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu

The Jets didn't get to uncork their three-headed monster last year due to Allen's injury, but he and Davis will return as deputies for the stupendous Hall. Nwangwu remains due to his status as an elite kick returner.

WR (6): Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Arian Smith, Irv Charles

The first four are locks, but the latter two need to prove themselves. Smith needs to either show special teams potential or vastly improved pass-catching skills, and Charles' special teams exclusive status could be a mark against him.

TE (3): Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert

The Jets are going all-in on using Sadiq and Taylor at the same time in the passing game. The Sadiq pick and his versatility could spell the end for Andrew Beck as a pure fullback. Perhaps Ruckert fills that role.

OL (9): Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Anez Cooper, Xavier Newman

The starting five is locked in, and Mitchell and Cooper appear to be relatively safe as the main backup tackle and guard. Newman could extend his life in the pros by making the transition to a pure center and emerging as a backup to Myers.

DL (5): T'Vondre Sweat, Jowon Briggs, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Darrell Jackson Jr.,

This unit has a good mix of grizzled vets in Phillips and Onyemata and promising, physical young players in Sweat, Briggs, and Jackson. They could keep six defensive linemen if they think Tyler Baron has a shot, but he has a long uphill climb.

EDGE (4): David Bailey, Will McDonald, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare

An undrafted free agent could convince the Jets to keep five edge rushers. No matter what happens there, the Jets have a solid quartet, spearheaded by the much-heralded top pick in Bailey and a big-time free agency add in Ossai.

LB (5): Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Mykal Walker, Marcelino McCrary-Ball

The Jets may need to consider a veteran addition here, as a 37-year-old Davis is the only above-average player. Sherwood has regressed, Mauigoa and Walker and backup-caliber athletes, and McCrary-Ball should only play special teams.

CB (5): Brandon Stephens, Azareye'h Thomas, D'Angelo Ponds, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Nahshon Wright

This room lacks a star, but the cornerback collection can go five deep. Wright and Thomas should fight for snaps on the outside, as will Brownlee and standout rookie Ponds on the inside.

S (5): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, Dane Belton, VJ Payne, Andre Cisco

This room has some questions outside of their star in Fitzpatrick. Moore needs to take a leap in Year 2, Belton is average, and Payne may be a raw athletic toolbox in the eyes of this staff. Cisco's spot may not be safe if a UDFA impresses.

ST (3): Will Ferrin, Austin McNamara, Thomas Hennessy

Ferrin may be a rookie, but his big leg could beat out Cade York. Hennessy may need to do the same to hold off Garrison Grimes. McNamara appears safe after a dynamite 2025 season.

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