NY Jets’ depth chart: Joe Douglas balances out initial Week 1 roster

The dust settles on the Jets 53-man roster

Tuesday marked a chaotic day not only for the New York Jets but for the entirety of the NFL as well.

Players bounced around from franchise to franchise with the hopes of catching onto a practice squad, or even a 53-man roster for the right to earn the big bucks ($660,000 a year as opposed to the practice squad’s $9,200 or $14,000 per week). Over 1,100 players found themselves in this situation considering the roster cut numbers of 90 to 53 (over the last couple of weeks).

But, of course, it’s the general manager’s job to capitalize on such madness.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas is one who enjoys capitalizing in such situations, and after Tuesday’s initial cut down to 53 that saw the team keep just one tight end (technically two if Trevon Wesco is accounted for), the green professional football team from Northern New Jersey has balanced things out a bit.

On Wednesday, the Jets’ first version of the Week 1 roster settled. Three tight ends now show up on the depth chart and 13 players have found homes on the team’s practice squad (max of 16).

NY Jets Quarterbacks (2)

1. Zach Wilson
2. Mike White

No surprises here, other than James Morgan spurning the Jets practice squad for the Carolina Panthers. It seems Captain Morgan has turned in his captaincy for a spy gig—one of the oldest tricks in the NFL transaction book.

NY Jets Running Backs (4)

1. Michael Carter
2. Tevin Coleman
3. Ty Johnson
4. La’Mical Perine

The mystery has been solved: La’Mical Perine snags the final spot in the running back room. Josh Adams heads to the practice squad as of the first 13.

In terms of the one through three, anybody’s guess is valid at this point. Expect Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson to split the workload pretty evenly, especially in the beginning. Carter should eventually grab hold of the starting job at some point in the season; but for now, he’ll most likely rotate with Johnson while giving way to Coleman in receiving situations.

NY Jets Wide Receivers (7)

1. Corey Davis
2. Elijah Moore
3. Jamison Crowder
4. Keelan Cole
5. Denzel Mims
6. Braxton Berrios
7. Jeff Smith

The Jets really love Jeff Smith. I happened to tell Joe Blewett of this notion this past Sunday night. Despite everybody hopping on the Vyncint Smith bandwagon—for obvious reasons highlighted by preseason playing time—Jeff is the man to make the final cut.

The Jets really like Jeff Smith. Was telling @Joerb31 the other day. We’ll see. https://t.co/TyxLK0pCB8

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 31, 2021

Although Vyncint does help on special teams as a kickoff man and gunner, Jeff is an excellent fit within Mike LaFleur’s scheme. He can run out wide, play quarterback in a pinch and run jet-motion when needed. (Besides, Justin Hardee and the young cornerbacks can handle special teams duties.)

The other six names were expected: Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole, Denzel Mims and Braxton Berrios. Moore takes the second spot due to a realistic projection.

NY Jets Tight Ends, Fullbacks (4)

1. Tyler Kroft
2. Trevon Wesco
3. Ryan Griffin
4. Daniel Brown

Ryan Griffin and Daniel Brown signed back with the team after the initial cut down to 53, which puts the number at four tight ends. Although, Trevon Wesco could easily be labeled as a fullback only at this point.

NY Jets Offensive Tackles (4)

1. Mekhi Becton
2. Morgan Moses
3. George Fant
4. Chuma Edoga

One of Douglas’s favorites, Conor McDermott, begins the year on injured reserve. For that reason, most likely, Chuma Edoga finds a spot on the roster.

Mekhi Becton, Morgan Moses and George Fant were all locks to make the squad.

NY Jets Guards (4)

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker
2. Connor McGovern
3. Greg Van Roten
4. Dan Feeney

Interestingly, the Jets opted to keep just eight offensive linemen. Dan Feeney is the lone backup interior offensive lineman, which means one of the tackles would have to slide inside if they ever needed a fifth interior guy.

The starting three inside guys have been locks to make the final 53 all along: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten and Dan Feeney.

NY Jets Interior Defensive Linemen (5)

1. Quinnen Williams
2. Foley Fatukasi
3. Sheldon Rankins
4. Nathan Shepherd
5. Jonathan Marshall

Rookie Jonathan Marshall finds his way onto the roster along with four other interior defensive linemen who provide great depth at the position. All four guys are pretty versatile.

Foley Fatukasi will start in base to gobble up the run while giving way to Sheldon Rankins in pass-rushing situations.

NY Jets Edge Defenders (4)

1. John Franklin-Myers
2. Bryce Huff
3. Shaq Lawson
4. Tim Ward

The Shaq Lawson addition makes the team’s edge-defender situation look much nicer on paper. Right now, we’ll let the new guy have to earn his way into a starting situation.

New acquisition Tim Ward is the fourth guy looking to make an impact for a team hurting after the Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry injuries.

NY Jets Linebackers (5)

1. C.J. Mosley
2. Hamsah Nasirildeen
3. Jamien Sherwood
4. Blake Cashman
5. Quincy Williams

The other new acquisition to fill out the initial Week 53-man roster is Quinnen’s brother, Quincy Williams. Jarrad Davis starts the year on injured reserve, which means two rookies will start alongside C.J. Mosley.

NY Jets Cornerbacks (7)

1. Bryce Hall
2. Jason Pinnock
3. Michael Carter II
4. Brandin Echols
5. Javelin Guidry
6. Isaiah Dunn
7. Justin Hardee

Think of Justin Hardee as a specialist, first and foremost. So, the Bless Austin cut means New York heads into the season with six cornerbacks—four of which are rookies.

Who starts opposite Bryce Hall is the major question of the moment.

NY Jets Safeties (4)

1. Marcus Maye
2. Lamarcus Joyner
3. Sharrod Neasman
4. Sheldrick Redwine

Sharrod Neasman takes Ashtyn Davis’s roster spot (injured reserve) but Douglas and Robert Saleh are cool with just three safeties to start the season. Michael Carter II is just one of a couple of corners who could play safety in a pinch if necessary.

Sheldrick Redwine is a former fourth-round pick of the Browns who was recently released.

NY Jets Specialists (3)

• Matt Ammendola
• Braden Mann
• Thomas Hennessy

Matt Ammendola’s solid August gives him the first crack at nailing down the Jets kicking position, while Braden Mann and Thomas Hennessey can both be labeled as mainstays.

NY Jets Practice Squad (13)

• QB Josh Johnson
• RB Josh Adams
• WR D.J. Montgomery
• WR Vyncint Smith
• TE Kenny Yeboah
• OL Grant Hermanns
• OL Jimmy Murray
• OL Isaiah Williams
• DL Tanzel Smart
• EDGE Ronald Blair
• EDGE Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
• LB Del’Shawn Phillips
• CB Lamar Jackson

The Jets still have three more practice squad slots to fill out. Among the notables already signed are Vyncint Smith, Josh Johnson, Hamilcar Rashen Jr. and preseason miracle man Kenny Yeboah.

NY Jets Injured Reserve (9)

• OL Cameron Clark
• OL Parker Ferguson
• OL Conor McDermott
• OL Teton Saltes
• EDGE Carl Lawson
• LB Jarrad Davis
• CB Corey Ballentine
• S Ashtyn Davis
• S Zane Lewis

Carl Lawson is out for the season, but the Jets hope to have Jarrad Davis and Ashtyn Davis back earlier in the season.

NY Jets Reserve/Not-Football Injury (1)

• EDGE Vinny Curry

Vinny Curry, out for the season, is the lone Jets player on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury.