Let’s begin with a quick yet stern task: Throw away everything generally understood about the 53-man roster game and expand the possibilities.

The 2025 New York Jets roster race is unique not only due to the specific situation this franchise finds itself stuck in, but also oddly specific due to who’s running the show.

Head coach Aaron Glenn played 15 seasons in the National Football League, eight with the Jets. Now, as the Jets’ sideline boss, training camp is as physical as possible (well, in today’s CBA-specific landscape at least), and roster spots can only be earned.

Granted, it’s impossible to bypass every unwritten/built-in rule that sways the odds in favor of certain players (i.e., contractual status, draft position). Much of that stuff is annoying, yet it is a hard fact of NFL life, making it slightly easier to endure.

The level at which one abides by those rules looms large, and this summer’s roster cutdown is expected to be as meritocratic as anything seen around these parts in quite some time.

Yes, this particular (pre-preseason) New York Jets roster prediction comes with plenty of surprises, starting at the quarterback position.

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Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

  1. Justin Fields (QB)
  2. Tyrod Taylor (QB)
  3. Brady Cook (QB)

Three quarterbacks? What a second here …

Yes, three quarterbacks. If Aaron Glenn were forced to cut the roster at this moment—before the New York Jets strap it up against the Green Bay Packers in the first preseason game—I believe Brady Cook makes the roster.

Something’s happening here with the UDFA out of Mizzou. He has a long road ahead, especially when working vertical routes in the middle of the field, as he tends to overshoot them, but the kid’s on-field improvement from OTAs is mind-boggling.

The odds are still best that the Jets go with two quarterbacks and sneak Cook onto the practice squad. Still, I would not want to risk losing him after what I’ve seen in camp.

Cook’s fate on the 53-man roster hinges on his preseason play, which means his spot can change on a dime. However, there’s something about this kid that I’m unsure if it’s fully translatable at this level.

  • Practice squad: Adrian Martinez (QB)
The key to Justin Fields' bounce-back Jets practice

Running Backs (3)

  1. Breece Hall (RB-Balanced, H)
  2. Braelon Allen (RB-Heavy)
  3. Isaiah Davis (RB-Third Down, H, KR)

The running back position is pretty straightforward. Perhaps Tanner Engstrand wants four backs in this room, considering this offense will be as run-heavy as any, but Justin Fields is a running back in his own right.

Believing Fields will lead the team in rushing rationalizes the team carrying just three. Plus, I haven’t seen enough from Donovan Edwards in camp, and Kene Nwangwu hasn’t impressed me in the route-running game.

Breece Hall will play everywhere, whereas Braelon Allen is expected to be the lead north-south back. With Pritchett making the team—along with Xavier Gipson and Arian Smith—Nwangwu’s kick return services aren’t required.

  • Practice squad: Donovan Edwards (RB), Kene Nwangwu (RB, KR)

Fullbacks (1)

  1. Andrew Beck (F, H-Back, TE)

Andrew Beck is the fullback, H-back, and fourth tight end on this roster.

Wide Receivers (6)

  1. Garrett Wilson (X, A-Slot)
  2. Josh Reynolds (Z-Base)
  3. Allen Lazard (Z-Base, A-Slot)
  4. Arian Smith (Z-Vertical, A-Gadget)
  5. Xavier Gipson (A-Gadget, A-Slot, KR/PR)
  6. Jamaal Pritchett (A-Gadget, KR/PR)

There’s a chance they carry seven wide receivers, but it’ll be extremely tough if three quarterbacks are kept. While the team is expected to rush the ball a lot, conventional wisdom would have everybody believing seven is too many.

What’s important is the plan: WR2 is a rotational position.

Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard start in 11 personnel as the best blocking receivers, playing the most on rush-first downs. Rookie Arian Smith will be used on passing downs when a vertical threat is needed—taking the top off to open up underneath space for Garrett Wilson, Mason Taylor, Breece Hall, and others.

Xavier Gipson is one of a few gadget-type players who can also return kicks. And yes, undrafted rookie Jamaal Prtichett does make the team. Although Engstrand surely wants to hang onto Tyler Johnson, who’s receiving plenty of time with the first team, Pritchett has been too damn good to ignore, and he possesses legitimate NFL explosiveness.

If they try to sneak Pritchett onto the practice squad, Johnson making it as the sixth (or seventh, along with Pritchett) wouldn’t shock anybody. Sadly, Malachi Corley is cut. He has not yet figured it out.

  • Notable cuts: Malachi Corley (WR), Tyler Johnson (WR)
  • Injured: Irv Charles (WR, Gunner)
  • Practice squad: Brandon Smith (WR)

Tight Ends (3)

  1. Mason Taylor (Y-Balanced)
  2. Jeremy Ruckert (Y-Balanced, H-Back, F)
  3. Stone Smartt (Y-Vertical)

Similar to running back, the tight end room is simple. When assessing pass-catching ability, Stone Smartt has enjoyed the best camp.

Interestingly, Jeremy Ruckert was outplaying Mason Taylor in the week leading up to the latter’s injury. In other words, Ruckert has played much better than the fans currently think, and the so-called “drops” that deflected into interceptions were just as much on the quarterback (if not more).

With the versatile Andrew Beck rostered, the Jets theoretically have four tight ends.

  • Practice squad: Zack Kuntz (TE)

Offensive Tackles (4)

  1. Olu Fashanu (LT)
  2. Armand Membou (RT)
  3. Chukwuma Okorafor (RT)
  4. Max Mitchell (T)

The substantial rub for this Jets offense has little to do with the quarterback. Instead, it begins here, with Olu Fashanu and Amand Membou. If these two kids turn out to be studs, the Jets offense has a chance to fulfill its vision.

Only if and when that happens can we all move on to Justin Fields’s potential progress (or lack thereof).

  • Practice squad: Carter Warren (T)

Interior Offensive Linemen (5)

  1. Alijah Vera-Tucker (RG)
  2. John Simpson (LG)
  3. Joe Tippmann (C, G)
  4. Josh Myers (C)
  5. Xavier Newman (G, C)

Whether or not Joe Tippmann plays more center than guard is still up for debate. How long will John Simpson be on the shelf?

If Simpson’s ready to roll for Week 1, the interior offensive line should consist of these five individuals.

  • Practice squad: Kohl Levao (G)

Defense (25)

Interior Defensive Linemen (5)

  1. Quinnen Williams (3T)
  2. Byron Cowart (1T)
  3. Leonard Taylor III (3T)
  4. Jay Tufele (IDL, NT)
  5. Phidarian Mathis (IDL)

Yes, veteran Derrick Nnadi is cut. Thus far in camp, he hasn’t been able to see the field much with the big boys. Byron Cowart flew past him a while ago, and Phidarian Mathis is even receiving some spotlight.

  • Notable cuts: Derrick Nnadi (IDL)
  • Practice squad: Payton Page (IDL)

EDGE (5)

  1. Will McDonald (EDGE, SUB-EDGE)
  2. Jermaine Johnson (EDGE, SUB-EDGE)
  3. Micheal Clemons (BIG-EDGE)
  4. Tyler Baron (EDGE)
  5. Rashad Weaver (EDGE, SUB-EDGE)

It’s still possible that Jermaine Johnson doesn’t start the season on the active 53-man roster; let’s get that out of the way at the top. In that event, Eric Watts most likely makes the team.

Rashad Weaver is the wildcard here, as he made several splash plays earlier in camp but has lost a little steam since then.

  • Injured: Jermaine Johnson (EDGE, SUB-EDGE)
  • Practice squad: Eric Watts (BIG-EDGE), Braiden McGregor (EDGE)

Linebackers (5)

  1. Jamien Sherwood (MIKE)
  2. Quincy Williams (SAM)
  3. Marcelino McCrary-Ball (WILL, ST)
  4. Francisco Mauigoa (SAM, MIKE, ST)
  5. Jamin Davis (WILL, ST)

Perhaps Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks wouldn’t mind carrying just four linebackers in today’s 11 personnel-driven world, but I have a feeling they’d rather have five.

Pencil in Marcelino McCrary-Ball as the starting WILL against 12 and 21 personnel, and as a guy who will play a prominent special-teams role. With rookie Francisco Mauigoa as a near-lock (rookie contract), Jamin Davis’s fate hinges on four or five linebackers being retained.

  • Practice squad: Zaire Barnes (LB, ST), Jackson Sirmon (LB, ST)

Boundary Cornerbacks (4)

  1. Sauce Gardner (BCB)
  2. Brandon Stephens (BCB)
  3. AZ Thomas (BCB, ST)
  4. Qwan’tez Stiggers (BCB, ST, Gunner)

It’s a bit jarring to see just four cornerbacks in this spot. Then again, these are the boundary corners, so it’s all good.

The Jets are still trying to determine who the punt team’s gunners will be. With Irv Charles set to start the season on the injured list, Qwan’tez Stiggers is most definitely a candidate.

Kris Boyd could be a reinforcement later in the year, if his injury is substantial enough to start the season as a reserve. Whether or not they can safely keep Jarrick Bernard-Converse on the practice squad is a legitimate concern.

  • Injured: Kris Boyd (BCB)
  • Practice squad: Jarrick Bernard-Converse (S, BCB)

Slot Cornerbacks (2)

  1. Michael Carter II (SCB)
  2. Jordan Clark (SCB, ST)

The third and final surprise happens here. Yes, Jordan Clark makes the roster as an undrafted free agent cornerback. (But he’s not just any cornerback.)

From the jump, Glenn has treated Clark in a specific manner. Whereas most unproven corners play more versatilely (holding down different cornerback spots), Glenn seemingly pegged Clark as a slot specialist from the get-go.

It’s one thing to be Ryan Clark’s son, but it’s another to back it up. Clark has been extremely impressive in an under-the-radar-type fashion.

Offensive players always have the advantage in camp because it’s easy to spot splash plays. It’s more difficult for cover guys, as solid play tends to fly under the radar.

Like Cook, the odds are still high that Clark starts the year on the practice squad. But before the preseason begins, I believe Clark has earned a roster spot, and there’s no question that Glenn loves the idea of rostering a slot specialist behind Michael Carter II.

Clark’s straight-line speed leaves much to be desired, but his short-area quickness, instincts, and tackling ability might serve him perfectly in the slot cornerback role at the NFL level.

Safeties (4)

  1. Andre Cisco (FS)
  2. Tony Adams (SS)
  3. Malachi Moore (S, ST)
  4. Isaiah Oliver (S, SCB, CB, ST, Gunner)

The safety room is another snoozefest, as it’s easy to configure. Isaiah Oliver’s versatility really helps glue everything together, as he can hold down the fourth safety spot, fifth boundary corner spot, and even the third slot corner spot.

  • Practice squad: Jarius Monroe (S, ST), Tanner McCalister (S, ST)

Special Teams (3)

  • Nick Folk (K)
  • Austin McNamara (P, Holder)
  • Thomas Hennessy (LS)

Nick Folk edges out the big fella, Thomas Hennessy does his usual thing, and Austin McNamara emerges as one of the best young punters in the NFL. McNamara has been extremely impressive this summer.

Positional legend

  • QB: Quarterback
  • RB: Running back
  • RB-Balanced: Balanced back, rushing and receiving
  • RB-Heavy: Short-yardage/goal line back, gets north-south/downhill
  • RB-Third Down: Third-down back, more versatile
  • H: Pass-catching running back often lined up at wide receiver
  • F: Fullback
  • H-Back: Similar to fullback but lined up primarily in block-specific situations
  • WR: Wide receiver
  • X: X receiver, top route-runner, WR1
  • Z-Base: Z receiver utilized in run-first or balanced situations
  • Z-Vertical: Z receiver utilized in pass-first situations, vertical threat
  • A-Slot: Slot receiver
  • A-Gadget: A receiver utilized in gadget-type plays/motions (jet-motion, orbit, etc.)
  • Y: Tight end
  • Y-Balanced: Balanced tight end who blocks and works the possession receiving game
  • Y-Vertical: Vertical-threat tight end who primarily works the pass-catching game
  • LT: Left tackle
  • RT: Right tackle
  • T: Offensive tackle
  • LG: Left guard
  • C: Center
  • RG: Right guard
  • G: Offensive guard
  • IOL: Interior offensive lineman
  • DT: Defensive tackle
  • 3-Tech: 3/5-technique defensive tackle
  • 1-Tech: 1/2i-technique defensive tackle (heavier)
  • IDL: Interior defensive lineman
  • EDGE: Defensive end within the 4-3 base scheme
  • SUB-EDGE: Defensive end utilized as a pass-rusher in subpackages
  • BIG-EDGE: A bigger defensive end utilized in base situations
  • MIKE: Middle linebacker within the 4-3
  • SAM: Strong-side linebacker within the 4-3
  • WILL: Weak-side linebacker within the 4-3
  • LB: Linebacker
  • BCB: Boundary cornerback
  • SCB: Slot cornerback (nickelback)
  • CB: Cornerback
  • FS: Free safety
  • SS: Strong safety
  • S: Safety
  • K: Placekicker
  • P: Punter
  • Holder: Holder for the placekicker
  • LS: Long-snapper
  • KR: Kick returner
  • PR: Punt returner
  • ST: Special-teamer
  • Gunner: Gunner on the punt team