While there are several open competitions on the offensive side of the ball, some positions are set in stone
As we are less than two weeks away from the New York Jets invigorating rookie class reporting to camp, final 53-man roster projections for the 2022 Jets are coming fast and furious.
Robby Sabo of Jets X-Factor caused a stir yesterday with some of his bold predictions about players who might not survive the final cuts.
Predicting the Week 1 roster is always a challenge. It’s especially tough this year with the job Joe Douglas has done of accumulating talent, in contrast with years past.
Before projecting what exactly the final 53 will look like, let’s take a look at the 2022 roster locks on the Jets offense.
Quarterback (2)
My guess is that Mike White will remain a Jet in 2022. However, since it is rare for an NFL team to carry three quarterbacks, the possibility of a trade or release cannot be discounted.
Considering that Joe Flacco re-signed on a nearly fully-guaranteed contract, White is the more likely departure of the two. Additionally, with White’s age (27) and the flashes he showed in 2021, he would likely have more trade value.
Running Back (3)
The Jets currently have a multitude of interesting moving parts in the backfield. If Nick Bawden is on the final roster, which seems very possible, will they have enough room and reps available to retain a fourth halfback?
Based on his experience in the scheme, pedigree, and the structure of the deal he re-signed on, Tevin Coleman is a considerable final roster lock.
If the Jets do go with four halfbacks, the competition between Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, and Zonovan Knight will be fascinating to see.
Wide Receiver (5)
Obviously, one of the more polarizing Jets is Denzel Mims. As with Mike White, I expect Mims to be on the roster in 2022. The only reason he is not a lock is the trade speculation that stems from the way the Jets have spoken so highly of him this offseason.
From there, the bottom of the Jets’ current wide receiver group is filled with unknowns. The five locks listed are all pretty straightforward.
Tight End (3)
The three additions from this offseason are all set and will significantly improve a position of weakness for the Jets over too many years.
This group rounds out with Trevon Wesco, Kenny Yeboah, and Lawrence Cager.
Wesco has been a Jet for some time now. He has been utilized primarily for his stellar blocking. With Bawden and now Ruckert, it will be interesting to see what the role for Wesco is. Nonetheless, he still has a chance.
Yeboah and Cager are young pass-catchers the team has added in recent years as undrafted free agents. With the three acquisitions, plus Wesco’s three years on the team, very strong camps and preseason games will be needed from these two to make the final roster.
Offensive Line (8)
- OT: George Fant, Mekhi Becton, Max Mitchell
- IOL: Laken Tomlinson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Connor McGovern, Nate Herbig, Dan Feeney
The five interior players are all set. That group is a strong point for the Jets. The key battle will be the competition for one of the backup tackle roles. It will be between Conor McDermott and Chuma Edoga, barring the signing of a veteran swing tackle.
Conclusion
In the end, out of 53 final roster spots, the offense has 21 players who are locks to be on the team. There are another four or five who will be added. Who exactly those will be remains to be seen and is going to play out this summer.
