With the New York Jets’ preseason slate in the books, all eyes turn to the roster cutdowns.
On August 27 at 4 p.m. EDT, all NFL teams cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 players in one fell swoop. Unlike in previous years, the rules changed to allow two players to be placed on injured reserve (IR) prior to the final 53-man cutdown and then brought back off short-term IR after missing at least four games.
This article was updated to reflect the new rules regarding injured reserve. The article previously cited the old rules.
Before the preseason, some of the information about the Jets’ plans for their roster was more vague. There are still some unknowns, including whom the Jets think they can sneak through waivers and which positions they prioritize. Still, there is more clarity surrounding the roster than there was a few weeks ago.
Here’s my final crack at predicting the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. Always remember that the first 53 is not the final 53, though.
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor (2)
NFI list: Jordan Travis
Practice squad: Adrian Martinez
Jet X’s Robby Sabo indicated that Jordan Travis cannot even run yet, making his ability to even practice as a rookie in doubt. It’s likely Travis will spend the entire season on the NFI list.
RB: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis (KR) (3)
I still think Izzy Abanikanda’s days with the Jets are done, regardless of a nice performance against the Giants. Maybe he’ll make the practice squad, maybe not.
FB: Anthony Firkser (1)
Nathaniel Hackett has always carried a fullback, so I’m guessing the Jets will keep Firkser. It would be quite light for the Jets to carry three tight ends and no fullback.
WR: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson (PR), Malachi Corley (KR), Irv Charles (6)
Practice squad: Jason Brownlee, Brandon Smith
Jason Brownlee has shown absolutely nothing in the preseason, and regardless of a couple of nice catches in joint practices, he’s been lackluster. He even took a holding penalty against the Giants. I don’t think there’s a reason for the Jets to be concerned he would be signed by another team. I figure Brandon Smith has done enough this preseason to earn a practice squad spot.
TE: Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah (3)
The top three tight ends are pretty much set. One change, though: the Jets release the RAS king, Zack Kuntz, and don’t keep him on the practice squad.
OT: Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Olu Fashanu, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren (5)
The only surprise for me here is that Max Mitchell is ahead of Carter Warren on the depth chart. I suppose the Jets are trying to give Warren the redshirt year he should’ve had as a rookie. Honestly, though, both Mitchell and Warren are terrible, but at least Warren has one less season of terrible tape out there. I would have released Mitchell, but that doesn’t seem to be what the Jets are about to do.
IOL: John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Wes Schweitzer, Xavier Newman (5)
Practice squad: Jake Hanson
Saleh said Xavier Newman’s injury against the Giants wasn’t serious, which likely cements his spot on the roster. The Jets have a bunch of practice squad-caliber interior linemen, including Chris Glaser, Kohl Levao, and Jake Hanson.
EDGE: Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Will McDonald, Takk McKinley, Braiden McGregor (6)
Practice squad: Eric Watts
The defensive line is the most interesting part of the 53-man roster. It looks like Takk McKinley cemented his spot. I think Braiden McGregor made his case for the roster far more than Eric Watts did. If Haason Reddick doesn’t report, he won’t count against the 53-man, which makes it that much more likely McGregor will make the roster. Watts could also sneak on.
The Jets kept six edge rushers in 2022, so they could keep six again.
IDL: Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Leki Fotu, Solomon Thomas (4)
Practice squad: Tanzel Smart, Jalyn Holmes, Leonard Taylor
Based on the way Saleh spoke about Leonard Taylor, I’m leaning towards him missing the roster despite flashing in several of the preseason games. The Jets have never carried more than four defensive tackles to start the season under Saleh, which also decreases Taylor’s chances. Tanzel Smart is a yearly Jets practice squad man, and Jalyn Holmes is an inside-outside guy.
LB: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Zaire Barnes (5)
Practice squad: Sam Eguavoen
It’s possible the Jets will release Chazz Surratt, then bring him back once he clears waivers. Surratt hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his career and has flitted around multiple practice squads. If the Jets only keep four linebackers, it will almost certainly be Zaire Barnes on the roster over Surratt. Still, I think Surratt will also make the roster for his special teams value.
CB: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse (6)
I think the first five cornerbacks are locks. I didn’t have Jarrick Bernard-Converse making the roster in my last iteration, but JBC generated buzz all camp long and in the first preseason game.
With D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II both set to hit free agency next offseason, it makes sense to keep any cornerback who flashes potential. The Jets liked Bernard-Converse enough to keep him on the initial 53-man roster last season in order to be able to transfer him to the PUP list despite a camp injury. That might have tipped their hand about him, even if Joe Blewett preferred him as a safety coming out of college.
S: Tony Adams, Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver (4)
Practice squad: Jaylen Key
All four safeties seem like locks, although Isaiah Oliver didn’t look great at safety in the preseason.
