New York Jets roster and depth chart projection (Sabo)

The time has officially come. Hopes are dashed, emotions are fierce, and overwhelming victories are realized—to the point that only Rudy Ruettiger’s making-the-team celebration can suddenly appear in one’s mind (as portrayed in the 1993 motion picture Rudy).

Granted, the big boys—the league that plays for pay—features a slightly contrasting script to that of the enthusiastic college walk-on, but the making-the-team quest cannot help but fall neatly under one of the classic narrative categories in the sports genre.

Professionals, too, must first make the squad.

The NFL’s official cut-down day is Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 4:00 p.m. ET. On this day, each of the 32 franchises must comply with the usual 53-man roster rules.

No different are the New York Jets, whose 90-man roster must get skinny to sneak through that 53-man roster hole.

Let’s conclude the 2024 training camp with a final New York Jets roster and depth chart projection—both for the present time and for Week 1 when Aaron Rodgers‘s club takes on the San Francisco 49ers out west.

Let’s first detail the 53-man roster that’s set to show face on Tuesday (the more immediate one):

Offense (24)

QB (2)

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Tyrod Taylor
3. Jordan Travis (Reserve/NFI)

Quarterback is as easy as it gets. Cut and dry, the New York Jets are set to keep Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, with the potential to stash Andrew Peasley and/or Adrian Martinez on the practice squad.

Rookie Jordan Travis is considered a red shirt at the NFL level, as he’s still not even walking without a noticeable limp.

• Potential Practice Squad: Andrew Peasley

RB (3)

1. Breece Hall
2. Braelon Allen
3. Isaiah Davis
4. Tarik Cohen (Reserve/Retired)

One of the popular names is snubbed here. Izzy Abanikanda is a popular choice among fans to keep, but I’m going the other way.

For whatever reason, the Jets aren’t in love with the Pitt product. And despite his strong showing against the New York Giants, New York should feel comfortable with just three in the room.

It’s doubtful Abanikanda makes it through waivers, but Joe Douglas would jump up for joy if they could sneak him onto the practice squad. At worst, Xazavian Valladay can be stashed.

Interestingly, don’t forget that Tarik Cohen is technically still on the roster in a reserve/retired spot.

• Potential Practice Squad: Izzy Abanikanda, Xazavian Valladay

WR (7)

1. Garrett Wilson
2. Mike Williams
3. Xavier Gipson
4. Allen Lazard
5. Malachi Corley
6. Jason Brownlee
7. Irv Charles
8. Malik Taylor (Reserve/IR)

Sure, seven is a big number, but the Jets do not want to lose Jason Brownlee. Irv Charles is a lock, courtesy of his special teams work, so consider the wide receiver room at six.

Malik Taylor is currently on IR, so he must be included in the official projection. Youngster Brandon Smith should get a practice squad invite.

• Potential Practice Squad: Brandon Smith

TE (3)

1. Tyler Conklin
2. Jeremy Ruckert
3. Kenny Yeboah

Without a fullback, three tight ends is light. Then again, making cuts is all about which players can remain under the radar during the waiver process.

I think Zack Kuntz’s time in Florham Park might be nearing its end. With Nick Bawden now with the Houston Texans, UDFA Lincoln Sefcik and veteran Anthony Firkser are the FB/H-back candidates.

Can either or both of them make their way to the practice squad? It’s possible Saleh goes with four tight ends, but it’s tough to think Firkser or Sefcik makes it over some of the other names who have splashed in preseason.

• Potential Practice Squad: Lincoln Sefcik, Anthony Firkser

OT (5)

1. Tyron Smith
2. Morgan Moses
3. Olu Fashanu
4. Max Mitchell
5. Carter Warren

There’s an outside chance that Carter Warren’s time is up here, but I don’t think that’s the case—at least not yet. So, the offensive tackle room is five deep, with Max Mitchell having the ability to plan inside if desperate.

The one wild card is Mitchell’s injury against the Giants. I’m not too sure how serious it is, and if it is of the serious ilk, another spot opens.

• Potential Practice Squad: Austin Deculus

IOL (4)

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker
2. Joe Tippmann
3. John Simpson
4. Wes Schweitzer

Other than Izzy, Xavier Newman is the other hot candidate in Jets land. Fans and pundits find it hard to believe that Saleh will carry just four interior offensive linemen.

However, think about waivers in this situation.

The Jets don’t have a great No. 5 IOL, but they are pretty deep beyond that. They can feel safe that Xavier Newman isn’t claimed on waivers, which gives them a nice practice squad option. Other candidates are Chris Glaser, Jake Hanson, Kohl Levao and Brady Latham.

Keeping four is more than fine with a handful of practice squad candidates who can make it through waivers. While Izzy is a name the Jets know they’ll probably lose—if they cut bait—Newman lives on the opposite end of the spectrum.

• Potential Practice Squad: Xavier Newman, Chris Glaser, Jake Hanson, Kohl Levao, Brady Latham

Defense (26)

EDGE (5)

1. Jermaine Johnson
2. Will McDonald
3. Micheal Clemons
4. Takk McKinley
5. Braiden McGregor
6. Haason Reddick (Reserve/Holdout)

For now, count the New York Jets EDGE players on one hand. Haason Reddick’s current status is of the Reserve/Holdout kind.

If forced, I’ll predict Reddick reports just before Labor Day Weekend—perhaps on that Friday—which means a spot will have to open up for him (more on that further down this page).

Until then, Takk McKinley and UDFA Braiden McGregor round out the five defensive ends.

Talented UDFA Eric Watts is a guy they don’t want to lose, but they’ll try to sneak him through waivers. Jalyn Holmes is one of the other guys to watch—in terms of making the team—but I’ll go practice squad with him as well (considering he’s lived there prior).

• Potential Practice Squad: Eric Watts, Jalyn Holmes

IDL (5)

1. Quinnen Williams
2. Javon Kinlaw
3. Leki Fotu
4. Solomon Thomas
5. Leonard Taylor III

Leonard Taylor III’s play against the Jints surely had Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich foaming at the mouth. Sure, I still don’t know what in the wild world of sports the Giants offensive line was doing, but Taylor III’s talents were showcased nonetheless.

I’d be stunned if they didn’t roster the talented UDFA. Period.

Perennial practice squad player Tanzel Smart will likely find himself there yet again.

• Potential Practice Squad: Tanzel Smart

LB (5)

1. C.J. Mosley
2. Quincy Williams
3. Jamien Sherwood
4. Chazz Surratt
5. Zaire Barnes

At times last year, the Jets carried six linebackers on their 53-man active. That’s a large number for a 4-3 team in today’s NFL—where 11 personnel (and thus, nickel) rules the roost.

At the same time, linebackers are prime special teams players, so we’ll roll with five. Former quarterback Chazz Surratt and Zaire Barnes serve as No. 4 and 5, whereas Sam Eguavoen is forced to hit waivers.

If another team claims Eguavoen, I expect Jackson Sirmon to assuredly hit the practice squad. (He might even receive a practice squad invite alongside Eguavoen.)

• Potential Practice Squad: Sam Eguavoen, Jackson Sirmon

CB (7)

1. Sauce Gardner
2. D.J. Reed
3. Michael Carter II
4. Brandin Echols
5. Quan’Tez Stiggers
6. Jarrick Bernard-Converse
7. Brandon Codrington

The surprise name on this page is cornerback Brandon Codrington. And while seven at cornerback seems outrageous—particularly because Codrington hasn’t shown much defensively—seven isn’t the real number.

Consider Codrington (and Irv Charles, for that matter) as a special team player, first and foremost. Plus, the injuries to Michael Carter II, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Isaiah Oliver could potentially open a spot thanks to IR (by the time Week 1 comes).

Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas greatly consider Brant Boyer’s opinions and requests, and I think that’ll be featured this year with Codrington. Plus, Codrington is on the NFL’s radar now, thanks to his preseason flashing, so sneaking him through waivers might prove to be too difficult.

• Potential Practice Squad: Tre Swilling

S (4)

1. Tony Adams
2. Chuck Clark
3. Ashtyn Davis
4. Isaiah Oliver

The safety room is pretty clear, as the top three are primed to play plenty of defensive football this season. Isaiah Oliver can play both safety and cornerback, so his versatility is appreciated.

Rarely does a team cut bait on a drafted player, but Joe Douglas broke that pattern last year when the Jets cut Zack Kuntz (ultimately inviting him to the practice squad). I believe Mr. Irrelevant, Jaylen Key, is destined to start the season on New York’s practice squad.

• Potential Practice Squad: Jaylen Key

Special teams (3)

• Greg Zuerlein (K)
• Thomas Morstead (P)
• Thomas Hennessy (LS)

Of course, Brant Boyer’s special teams don’t end at just three, as plenty of Jets will be rostered for a specific special teams purpose, for instance:

• Irv Charles (GUN)
• Brandon Codrington (KR/PR)
• Ashtyn Davis (PROTECTOR)
• Chazz Surratt (STLB)
• Zaire Barnes (STLB)

Week 1 roster and depth chart

Although it’s impossible to know which players Joe Douglas may target after being cut by other teams, the New York Jets’ current roster is likely to change from now until Week 1, when they take on the San Francisco 49ers.

In a nutshell, I predict Haason Reddick will report just before Labor Day, which means Douglas will be forced to create at least one roster spot. That spot may come easy, however, with the current cornerback injuries.

Michael Carter II, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Isaiah Oliver are all banged up. Robert Saleh did tell the media that he expects them back before Week 1—particularly their standout slot defensive back—but I’ll put my money on either JBC or Oliver taking an IR spot ahead of the regular season.

Therefore, Reddick’s presence assumes that extra DB spot.

• QB (2): Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor
• RB (3): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
• WR (7): Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson, Allen Lazard, Malachi Corley, Jason Brownlee, Irv Charles
• TE (3): Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah
• OT (5): Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Olu Fashanu, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren
• IOL (4): Alijah Vera-Tucker, Joe Tippmann, John Simpson, Wes Schweitzer
• EDGE (6): Haason Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Micheal Clemons, Takk McKinley, Braiden McGregor
• IDL (5): Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Leki Fotu, Solomon Thomas, Leonard Taylor III
• LB (5): C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Zaire Barnes
• CB (6): Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, Quan’Tez Stiggers, Brandon Codrington
• S (4): Tony Adams, Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver
• ST (3): Greg Zuerlein, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy
• RESERVE: Jarrick Bernard-Converse (or Isaiah Oliver), Jordan Travis, Malik Taylor
• TOP PRACTICE SQUAD CANDIDATES: Andrew Peasley (QB), Izzy Abanikanda (RB), Xazavien Valladay (RB), Lincoln Sefcik (TE/FB), Anthony Firkser (TE/FB), Brandon Smith (WR), Austin Deculus (OT), Xavier Newman (IOL), Chris Glaser (IOL), Jake Hanson (IOL), Kohl Levao (IOL), Brady Latham (IOL), Eric Watts (EDGE), Jalyn Holmes (DL), Tanzel Smart (IDL), Sam Eguavoen (LB), Jackson Sirmon (LB), Tre Swilling (CB), Jaylen Key (S)

The key difference between the 53-man roster on cut-down day and the one that’ll take on the 49ers is the following:

• Haason Reddick takes a roster spot (after he reports).
• Either Jarrick Bernard-Converse or Isaiah Oliver starts the season on IR, opening up that spot for Reddick.

The lone additional possibility is Max Mitchell’s status. If his injury is serious enough to warrant IR consideration, I think Xavier Newman or Chris Glaser will make the initial 53-man roster.

The players I predict who will find another NFL home this coming week are the following:

• Izzy Abanikanda
• Zack Kuntz
• Adrian Martinez