The ideal New York Jets 53-man roster fans should want to see

Jets X-Factor’s Rivka Boord already provided a prediction for the New York Jets’ 53-man roster. Today, we’re taking a different angle. Rather than predict the 53-man roster, I’m going to lay out my personal take on what the Jets’ ideal 53-man roster would look like.

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis

If Aaron Rodgers gets injured again, Jets fans should feel much more comfortable about the team’s backup quarterback situation than they were last year. Tyrod Taylor is a massive upgrade from Zach Wilson. If Rodgers were to miss, say, four games for a minor injury, I believe Tyrod can lead the Jets to a 2-2 record over that span.

The hope is that Jets fifth-round draft choice Jordan Travis will be fully healthy to start the season on the team’s 53-man roster. The quarterback suffered a gruesome leg injury in November 2023.

Running Backs (3): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis (KR)

Practice squad: Israel Abanikanda, Xazavian Valladay

I think rookie power-back Braelon Allen will win RB2 due to his success throughout the spring and summer. Reports state he has looked great catching the ball out of the backfield, which was one of his weaknesses in college.

Despite a fumble during the Jets’ annual Green and White scrimmage, rookie back Isaiah Davis has shown promising flashes throughout training camp. Davis has had several explosive plays both on the ground and through the air. The South Dakota State product has also been one of the several players taking snaps at the return position throughout camp. With the new kickoff rules, NFL teams will likely need two returners. I predict Davis will be one of those returners, as the new kickoff rules are very similar to a run play.

Xazavian Valladay has shown flashes throughout OTAs and training camp, which will land him a spot on the Jets practice squad.

Israel Abanikanda showcased high-end speed throughout his college career. However, he struggled to find the field for New York in 2023, as he played only 77 snaps in his rookie campaign. I think the Jets will stash Abanikanda on the practice squad due to the fact that every single roster spot is valuable, and I don’t think any other team would make a move for Abanikanda.

Wide Receivers (7):  Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson (PR), Allen Lazard, Malachi Corley (KR), Malik Taylor, Irvin Charles

Practice squad: Jason Brownlee

While many people believe the Jets will carry six receivers in 2024, I see the Jets carrying seven to start the season, as they did last season.

I think Xavier Gipson will be the Jets’ starting slot receiver and punt returner in 2024.

After a very rough 2023 campaign, Allen Lazard has shown drastic improvement throughout the summer. I would categorize Lazard as the wild card of the Jets’ offense.

Malachi Corley is definitely a name to watch. I have Corley as one of the Jets’ two kick returners in 2024. However, it will be interesting to see what role he plays on offense to begin the year, and how his role changes as the season progresses.

I think Malik Taylor will earn a roster spot mainly because he has done a nice job of capitalizing on his opportunities since coming to New York. Taylor made the Jets’ practice squad in 2023 and was elevated for three games, making an impact on special teams while contributing a game-winning drawn pass interference against the Giants. In this year’s training camp, Taylor has taken many of Xavier Gipson’s first-team snaps while Gipson has been sidelined with an injury.

Taylor also has chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, having spent two seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, along with Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

I see Irvin Charles rounding out the Jets receiver room. He will likely take over Justin Hardee’s role as the Jets special teams ace and essentially have a non-existent role on the offensive side of the ball. Jets head coach Robert Saleh described Charles as an “absolute wolf” on special teams. Charles played 236 special teams snaps in 12 games while recording a team-high special teams grade of 90.3 at Pro Football Focus.

After a very uneventful rookie season, I see Jason Brownlee earning a spot on the Jets practice squad. Brownlee has occasionally made nice plays throughout camp but has not consistently stood out. The Jets should be able to stash Brownlee on the practice squad without any other team trying to sign him to their active roster.

Tight Ends (3): Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah

Practice squad: Zack Kuntz

Jeremy Ruckert is set to enter his third year in the NFL. The Long Island native has not received many opportunities to showcase his pass-catching talent, as he has only been targeted 24 times throughout his first two seasons in the league. However, he was used heavily as a blocker in 2023 after C.J. Uzomah was demoted on the depth chart. With the Jets releasing Uzomah earlier this offseason, Ruckert takes over the role of TE2 in 2024.

I see Kenny Yeboah earning the role of TE3  mainly because of his special teams work. Also, Yeboah seems to be favored by the coaching staff, as he has been with the Jets since 2021. Yeboah also appears to have the edge in the blocking game over Zack Kuntz.

I think Kuntz will sign to the Jets practice squad, as he remains a project. However, Kuntz seems to tantalize fans due to his combination of size (6’8) and athleticism (10.00 Relative Athletic Score).

With the Jets signing veteran tight end Anthony Firkser, he may have a chance to compete with Yeboah for the TE3 spot. However, I don’t see that happening, as I think the top three are locks, and they will only carry one TE on the practice squad.

Offensive Tackles (5): Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Olu Fashanu, Carter Warren, Max Mitchell

Carter Warren, who had a shaky rookie season, looks to develop behind Moses at right tackle.

After a very rough 2023 season, I think Max Mitchell will still be able to sneak onto the Jets roster, mostly due to his flexibility to slide in and play the interior of the line. The worst-case scenario for Mitchell is a spot on the team’s practice squad.

Interior Offensive Line (5): Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, Wes Schweitzer, Jake Hanson

Practice squad: Kohl Levao, Xavier Newman, Brady Latham

There is no question Wes Schweitzer has dealt with health issues throughout his career; however, he is still a solid backup. He is a veteran who can play both guard and center.

Jake Hanson showcased the ability to provide solid depth last season. Across four starts for the Jets, Hanson allowed nine pressures on 163 pass-blocking snaps while only committing one penalty, which is good for a backup. Hanson has primarily played right guard in the regular season, but he has extensive experience at center in the preseason, so he can back up both spots.

I think Kohl Levao will land a spot on the Jets practice squad due to his versatility. Levao spent two seasons at the UFL level, where he has experience playing at all five positions on the offensive line.

I think UDFA Brady Latham and Xaiver Newman will also earn spots on the Jets practice squad. Latham had trouble with run-blocking in college, but he did have solid pass-blocking numbers. I think there is a chance that Newman will make the Jets roster; however, ideally, he lands a spot on the team’s practice squad. Newman is very versatile, as he has experience playing at all three positions on the interior of the offensive line.

Defensive End (6): Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Micheal Clemons, Takkarist McKinley, Eric Watts

Practice squad: Braiden McGregor

Micheal Clemons’s play significantly declined from 2022 to 2023, and he has not stood out throughout training camp in 2024. However, the Jets’ coaching staff seems to trust Clemons, and it also helps that he can essentially slide in as depth at defensive tackle.

The Jets showed that they really like Eric Watts by giving him the most guaranteed money out of the Jets UDFA class ($245,000). Watts has shown pure dominance throughout training camp, recording several sacks and successfully stopping the run.

Takkarist McKinley has been fun to watch throughout training camp. Showing a quick get-off out of his stance, McKinley has had success as a pass rusher throughout the entirety of camp, recording a surplus of sacks. It is also important to note that the former first-round pick played for the Jets’ defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, with the Falcons.

I think Braiden McGregor will land a spot on the Jets’ practice squad. McGregor offers the versatility to slide inside and play tackle as well. On 239 pass-rush snaps at Michigan last season, McGregor recorded 28 pressures and five sacks.

Defensive Tackle (4): Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu

Practice squad: Tanzel Smart, Leonard Taylor

It is pretty safe to say that this is going to be the Jets’ interior quartet to start the season.

I think Tanzel Smart will make the Jets’ practice squad and get elevated for injuries, similar to his role last season.

Entering training camp, Leonard Taylor seemed to have the best chance of all the UDFAs to make the Jets’ 53-man roster. However, Taylor has not shown much throughout training camp, while other UDFAs have been dominating. Taylor seems like an ideal candidate for the practice squad.

Linebacker (5): C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Sam Eguavoen

Practice squad: Chazz Surratt

I think the Jets will have at least four linebackers in 2024, and I have them rostering five. C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, and Jamien Sherwood are all locks; the hard part is choosing between Zaire Barnes, Sam Eguavon, and Chazz Surratt.

I chose Barnes as LB4 mostly because the Jets have done a great job of developing athletic young linebackers. With a RAS of 9.12, Barnes is an elite athlete with loads of potential.

I have Sam Eguavoen rounding out the linebacker room, mostly because of his contribution on special teams and his few solid plays on defense this summer. Eguavoen played in 15 games for the Jets last season, finishing third on the team with 305 special teams snaps.

While there is a chance the Jets will carry six linebackers, I think it is best to keep five on the roster and sign Chazz Surratt to the practice squad. Surratt is a very solid player on special teams. I think the Jets will move him up and down from the practice squad.

Cornerback (4): Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers

Practice squad: Jarrick Bernard-Converse

The Jets’ cornerback trio of Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II is arguably the best in the NFL.

Brandin Echols has shown consistency as a backup and is solid on special teams.

Jets fifth-round pick Qwan’tez Stiggers has stood out throughout training camp, recording multiple interceptions. Despite coming from the CFL, he looks like he might be more prepared for the NFL than many expected.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Jarrick Bernard-Converse has officially been moved back to cornerback from safety. Due to injuries, JBC struggled to find the field in 2023. Ideally, the LSU product will land a spot on the team’s practice squad.

Safety (4): Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver

Practice squad: Jaylen Key

The first four safeties are pretty much locked in. The only question is whether Jaylen Key will crack the roster. Ideally, I think the Jets will sign Mr. Irrelevent to the practice squad.

Key appeared in 12 games last season at Alabama while recording 35 solo tackles and one interception.

Special Teams (3): Greg Zuerlein, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy

No drama here. The Jets look to have another successful season on special teams in 2024.