New York Jets Depth Chart: Projected 53-man roster (pre-camp)

The NY Jets pre-training camp depth chart

FLORHAM PARK, NJ—One has to wonder just how “heavenly” Zach Wilson‘s off-the-field life has been over the last couple of months. If the New York Jets‘ third-year quarterback is letting his hair down a bit more than normal, fans are none the wiser.

Nonetheless, it does make sense, that the BYU kid’s non-football life is more heavenly at this moment. After all, a grizzled veteran newcomer—whose free-flowing lifestyle should rub off—vowed to make the youngster’s off-the-field life “heaven.”

Now that Aaron Rodgers is here, Wilson is feeling heavenly, whereas No. 8 is most definitely not feeling the burn of the pits of hell. From hitting up Rangers and Knicks games, then to Broadway, the future Pro Football Hall of Fame field general is seemingly loving life in New Jersey.

Recognizing the idea that Jets fans are also in heaven—albeit one that requires a hard pinch via a reality check—1 Jets Drive in Florham Park, NJ, is a flat-out lovefest.

Unfortunately, this lovefest won’t last. Once training camp comes our way, jobs will be on the line and results will be demanded.

Today, we bring the New York Jets’ full 90-man depth chart and a 53-man roster projection for the 2023 NFL season to the table.

New York Jets Current Depth Chart (Pre-Training Camp)

Since we’re still about a month away from training camp, the New York Jets roster is still loaded from a sheer number perspective. Ninety players mean sorting through a myriad of talent and experience levels at each position.

Here’s a graphic that lays out what the current New York Jets depth chart currently looks like:

Quarterbacks (3)

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Zach Wilson
3. Tim Boyle

The New York Jets would love to carry Tim Boyle. The problem, however, revolves around the tough numbers game that challenges each NFL franchise.

Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett would both love to have Boyle on the roster. Would he accept a lowly practice squad role? Perhaps he would, but the odds are solid that he’d receive a better job somewhere else.

For now, we’ll leave Boyle on the roster in exchange for a defensive spot (most likely at linebacker).

• Practice Squad Candidates: Chris Streveler

Running Backs (4)

1. Breece Hall
2. Michael Carter
3. Zonovan Knight
4. Israel Abanikanda

The running back position is pretty cut and dry. Breece Hall and Michael Carter lead the way, while Zonovan “Bam” Knight makes for an excellent third back.

Rookie Israel Abanikanda rounds out the foursome. If the Jets roll with just three backs—which is certainly possible—Izzy will have to be snuck onto the practice squad somehow.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Travis Dye

Fullbacks (1)

1. Nick Bawden

It’s known that Hackett loves to utilize a fullback in today’s fullback-starved game. A healthy Nick Bawden is something the franchise definitely wants to see happen in 2023.

• Practice Squad Candidates: N/A

Wide Receivers (6)

1. Garrett Wilson
2. Corey Davis
3. Allen Lazard (Slot)
4. Mecole Hardman
5. Randall Cobb
6. Xavier Gipson

More Aaron Rodgers at #Jets OTAs, including one to Allen Lazard and another to Garrett Wilson. pic.twitter.com/RviQg6BtlR

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 6, 2023

The stunner on the offensive side could be undrafted free agent Xavier Gipson, whose shiftiness and athleticism help a roster in a variety of ways (wide receiver, kick returner, etc.). The final wide receiver spot (if six are carried) may come down to Gipson and Jason Brownlee.

I’d be stunned if Denzel Mims is on the initial 53-man roster come Week 1. The other undrafted kid to watch is Kutztown product Jerome Kapp, whose minicamp tryout led to a summer contract.

Not only are the Jets set at the top with Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Allen Lazard, and Mecole Hardman, but they really do have a lot of depth at the position.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Jason Brownlee, Irvin Charles, Jerome Kapp, T.J. Luther

Tight Ends (3)

1. Tyler Conklin
2. C.J. Uzomah
3. Jeremy Ruckert

Yes, Joe Douglas drafted tall and lanky tight end Zack Kuntz. But how can they sneak him onto the initial roster? It’ll be interesting to see how tight end shakes out, considering there is depth.

Kuntz will most likely make the roster in the end, but the idea that a drafted rookie is having at least a semblance of trouble as one in the group is great news from a team perspective.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Zack Kuntz, E.J. Jenkins

Offensive Tackles (4)

1. Duane Brown (LT)
2. Mekhi Becton (RT)
3. Billy Turner
4. Max Mitchell

Speaking of depth, Douglas did everything in his power to back up his offensive line this summer. Billy Turner brings experience to the table as a third tackle, whereas young Max Mitchell does the same.

Mekhi Becton’s health is one of the many wild cards on this roster. And, interestingly, injuries represent the main wild card at offensive line—as it’s obvious just how intent Joe Douglas was on depth this offseason.

Although, in the end, I do think mid-round pick Carter Warren makes the cut, the numbers are overwhelming if no injuries occur. Turner’s versatility will make it much easier for Warren to breathe on the 53-man roster.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Carter Warren, Yodny Cajuste, Greg Senat

Guards (3)

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker (RG)
2. Laken Tomlinson (LG)
3. Wes Schweitzer

There are only three at guard due to just how stable the position is. Sure, veteran Laken Tomlinson didn’t enjoy a tremendous first season in New Jersey, but his availability is top-notch, and Alijah Vera-Tucker remains the soul of this football program.

If Trystan Colon can be snuck onto the practice squad, the Jets’ interior offensive line will be in tremendous shape.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Trystan Colon

Centers (2)

1. Joe Tippmann
2. Connor McGovern

Joe Tippmann vs. Connor McGovern takes center stage as one of the critical position battles this August. It’s hard to envision the veteran knocking off the kid—in spite of the idea that McGovern deserves to enter camp as the No. 1 center.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Brent Laing

Interior Defensive Linemen (4)

1. Quinnen Williams (3-Tech)
2. Quinton Jefferson (2i-Tech)
3. Solomon Thomas
4. Al Woods

I love the Al Woods signing. It provides Robert Saleh’s defense with a legit goal line 1 or 0-tech defensive tackle and also gets the unit out of a one-track mindset. Although this Jeff Ulbrich-run unit will always be an aggressively-attacking gap system, there are situations that call for beef and two-gapping things.

The Woods signing features the idea that Saleh is more than willing to adjust.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Tanzel Smart, Marquiss Spencer

EDGE Defenders (6)

1. Carl Lawson (DE)
2. John Franklin-Myers (DE/DT)
3. Jermaine Johnson (DE)
4. Will McDonald (Sub-DE)
5. Micheal Clemons (DE/DT)
6. Bryce Huff (Sub-DE)

Six edge defenders may seem like a lot, but consider John Franklin-Myers and Micheal Clemons as “tweaners.” Those two play EDGE in base but IDL in sub. This way, first-round pick Will McDonald and Bryce Huff are freed up to pin their ears back in a wide-9 look when it’s money time.

On the other side, Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson maintain the more balanced side of the defensive unit.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Deslin Alexandre
• Injured Players: Bradlee Anae

pic.twitter.com/OASgRhPwWH

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) May 31, 2023

Linebackers (4)

1. C.J. Mosley (Mike)
2. Quincy Williams (Sam)
3. Jamien Sherwood (Will)
4. Zaire Barnes

Remember, four linebackers in a 4-3 system—especially in today’s sub-package-driven league—is not a crazy idea. Although we could still see Kwon Alexander return, for now, sixth-round selection Zaire Barnes holds down the final spot.

The versatility works, as long as Saleh and Ulbrich are comfortable with Jamien Sherwood as the third backer in the base. Considering Sherwood is the backup Mike, this foursome can work nicely from a multi-situation perspective.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Hamsah Nasirildeen, Chazz Surratt

Cornerbacks (5)

1. Sauce Gardner (LCB)
2. D.J. Reed (RCB)
3. Michael Carter II (Slot)
4. Brandin Echols
5. Jarrick Bernard-Converse

When throwing special-teamer Justin Hardee into the mix, this projection puts the cornerback group at six players. Bryce Hall is cut in this scenario, with rookie Jarrick Bernard-Converse making the cut as a versatile defensive back (outside corner, slot corner, and safety).

Brandin Echols will miss the first contest (suspension), so a corner not listed above will have to take his place for Buffalo Bills Week 1 matchup.

• Practice Squad Candidates: Javelin Guidry, Derrick Langford

Safeties (4)

1. Jordan Whitehead (SS)
2. Adrian Amos (FS)
3. Tony Adams
4. Ashtyn Davis

With Chuck Clark on the shelf for the season, Adrian Amos slides in at the free safety spot. But do the Jets have enough range at centerfield? This is a major question.

I know the coaching staff loves Tony Adams, but they may not trust him yet to start at free safety. Whether it was Clark or now Amos, the combination with Jordan Whitehead puts the defense in a precarious position—with non-true solo-high safety.

If any unit can withstand that problem, it’s this one, as Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed’s deep-third prowess hides a plethora of potential ills.

Another key position battle to watch this summer will be the No. 4 safety spot—Ashtyn Davis vs. Trey Dean. For now, we’ll roll with Davis, believing Brant Boyer likes him too much. However, rookie Trey Dean has already turned some heads this offseason (OTAs).

• Practice Squad Candidates: Trey Dean, Marquis Waters
• Injured Players: Chuck Clark

Special Teams (4)

• Greg Zuerlein (K)
• Thomas Morstead (P)
• Thomas Hennessy (LS)
• Justin Hardee (ST)

The Jets’ special teams are as locked in as anything. Greg Zuerlein returns for a second season as the team’s placekicker, while veteran Thomas Morstead takes over for disappointing Braden Mann.

Thomas Hennessy handles the long-snapper spot, whereas Justin Hardee comes back as the team’s main special teams flyer (gunner, jammer, kickoff sprinter, etc.).