With the New York Jets’ preseason opener against the Packers in the books, we have a clearer picture of how the team’s 53-man roster might take shape.
Here is my projection for New York’s roster after Saturday’s 30-10 win.
Quarterback
- Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor (2)
- Practice Squad: Brady Cook, Adrian Martinez (2)
If Justin Fields goes down with an injury and misses a few weeks this season, fans shouldn’t panic. Tyrod Taylor is a proven, steady backup, owning a career record of 28-28-1 as a starter.
With every roster spot at a premium, it makes little sense for the Jets to carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. That likely leaves both Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook headed for the practice squad.
Martinez outperformed Cook in Saturday’s game, throwing for 152 yards and a touchdown with a 69% completion rate. Still, Cook offers upside as a dual-threat prospect.
New York can stash both quarterbacks on the practice squad without sacrificing a roster spot. Given that both Fields and Taylor are mobile and thus more susceptible to injuries, keeping Martinez and Cook readily available provides valuable depth without squeezing the active roster.
Running Back
- Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis (3)
- Practice Squad: Kene Nwangwu (1)
The Jets are expected to take a running-back-by-committee approach this season, which could benefit Breece Hall as he looks to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign and improve his efficiency.
With Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis supporting Hall, New York could field one of the league’s top backfield trios.
I have the Jets stashing Kene Nwangwu on the practice squad. An All-Pro returner in 2022, he offers upside as a kickoff specialist if an injury opens a spot on the active roster.
Fullback
- Andrew Beck (1)
Beck, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March worth $1.34 million, but with just $167,500 of his contract guaranteed, he’ll need to earn his spot this summer.
A former tight end turned fullback, Beck brings value as a do-it-all depth piece. He’s logged 70 NFL games with the Broncos, Packers, and Texans, including a postseason appearance with Houston last season.
His versatility as both a route runner and blocker should serve him well, adding a new dimension to New York’s offense. He showcased that skill set in the Jets’ win over Green Bay, catching both of his targets for 36 yards, including a 24-yard reception that set up Justin Fields’ rushing touchdown.
Beck’s ability to fill multiple roles makes him a valuable asset.
Wide Receiver
- Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Quentin Skinner, Jamaal Pritchett (6)
- Practice Squad: Brandon Smith (1)
- PUP/IR: Irv Charles (1)
Undrafted free agent Jamaal Pritchett earns a roster spot over last year’s third-round pick, Malachi Corley. Pritchett has been the more consistent performer throughout the summer, offering sharper route-running and, most importantly, special teams value, which Corley lacks. Pritchett can double as the Jets’ punt and kick returner.
Another UDFA rookie, Quentin Skinner, can replace Allen Lazard’s role. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound Kansas product appeared in 49 collegiate games, finishing with 89 receptions for 1,584 yards and 11 touchdowns while recording only three drops. He showcased his jump-ball skills Saturday with a 26-yard contested grab after creating separation downfield.
Brandon Smith has drawn fan attention with his preseason performances over the past two years, but remains more of a preseason standout than a potential regular season contributor. While his size and reliable hands make him intriguing, there’s a reason he couldn’t carve out a role in last year’s passing game. Still, he has shown enough to earn a practice squad spot.
Special teams standout Irv Charles is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 14 of the 2024 season. The Jets can keep him on the PUP list or place him on injured reserve, retaining his rights without having him count toward the 53-man roster.
Tight end
- Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt (3)
- Practice Squad: Zack Kuntz (1)
Jeremy Ruckert is not ideal as a second tight end, but the Jets don’t have any alternatives at the moment.
Stone Smartt showcased his YAC ability on Saturday, scoring on a 24-yard screen.
Zack Kuntz projects to make the practice squad as a depth option who can contribute on special teams and provide a massive 6-foot-8 target.
Ultimately, there is significant pressure on second-round rookie Mason Taylor to anchor the position group and emerge as a key piece in the passing game, as the unit lacks proven NFL production.
Offensive line
- Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Armand Membou, Josh Myers, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren (10)
- Practice Squad: Kohl Leavo (1)
- IPP Player: Leander Weigand (1)
Behind the clear starting five, the Jets bolstered their offensive line depth this offseason by adding Josh Myers and Chukwuma Okorafor. Both bring multiple years of starting experience – Myers on the interior and Okorafor at both tackle spots. Depth with proven starters is critical, as Jets fans know how quickly injuries up front can derail a season.
Xavier Newman has also shown he can step in without being a liability. He impressed in last year’s preseason and played well on Saturday.
Max Mitchell and Carter Warren enter what is a make-or-break season, with one final year to prove they can be reliable backup options after struggling mightily for much of their Jets careers.
Kohl Levao returns to the practice squad, as he did last season. His experience at all five positions makes him an ideal depth piece.
German native Leander Weigand remains with the team as New York’s International Pathway Program player.
Defensive line
- EDGE: Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Tyler Baron, Eric Watts, Rashad Weaver (6)
- DT: Quinnen Williams, Leonard Taylor III, Byron Cowart, Payton Page, Jay Tufele (5)
Recently activated from the PUP list, Jermaine Johnson is expected to open the season on the Jets’ 53-man roster.
Derrick Nnadi, however, is the odd man out. The veteran was largely invisible in the preseason opener and has struggled to generate disruption in practice. Undrafted rookie Payton Page has outperformed him this summer, along with Jay Tufele, Leonard Taylor III, and Byron Cowart.
While unpopular among fans, Micheal Clemons returns as a rotational edge rusher. Head coach Aaron Glenn has emphasized that Clemons’ penalty issues will be addressed.
Rashad Weaver remains a depth option with NFL pass-rushing experience. He started strong in the Jets’ spring practices before cooling off in recent weeks.
The most pressing need is finding a reliable partner for Quinnen Williams on the interior. Tufele has looked capable of filling that role so far.
Linebacker
- Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Francisco Mauigoa, Jamin Davis, Ja’Markis Weston (5)
- Practice Squad: Jackson Sirmon, Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2)
Gang Green rolls with five linebackers on the 53, with former first-round pick Jamin Davis and Miami UDFA Ja’Markis Weston closing out the list.
It makes sense for the team to gamble on the first-round pedigree of Davis as they seek upside behind Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. Davis started next to Williams and Sherwood with the first-team defense on Saturday.
Mauigoa is essentially a roster lock given the fact that the Jets selected him in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft, and he will have an opportunity to earn the LB3 job.
Weston earns the final spot as he brings more special teams value than Marcelino McCrary-Ball and Jackson Sirmon, while standing strong in coverage against the Packers. On Saturday, the Miami product posted a 63.0 coverage grade and stellar 82.3 special teams grade per Pro Football Focus.
Cornerback
- Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Qwan’tez Stiggers (6)
- Practice Squad: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Jordan Clark, Ryan Cooper (3)
After Saturday’s standout performance, Qwan’tez Stiggers appears to have played his way onto the Jets’ roster. He earned an 81.0 special teams grade from Pro Football Focus, showcasing his value as a gunner — a role that could be key to locking down a spot.
Ryan Cooper has made a similar impression. Signed to the 90-man roster in the middle of camp, he has consistently shown physicality and aggression in practice, and that effort has carried over into game action. Against Green Bay, he posted an impressive 88.3 coverage grade while flying around the field to make plays. Cooper is worth stashing on the practice squad.
Meanwhile, Jarrick Bernard-Converse hasn’t done enough to secure a roster spot. The LSU product has battled injuries throughout his career and has yet to produce any standout moments this summer. The Jets should be able to retain him on the practice squad without much risk of another team adding him to its active roster, along with UDFA Jordan Clark.
Safety
- Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore (3)
- Practice Squad: Jarius Monroe, Tanner McCalister (2)
Isaiah Oliver’s versatility is a major asset for the Jets’ secondary. His ability to play boundary corner, slot corner and safety allows New York to comfortably carry only three safeties without depth concerns, maximizing every roster spot in the secondary.
I anticipate Tony Adams will open the year as the team’s starting safety, but come midway through the year, fourth-round rookie Malachi Moore could certainly make a case for taking over the starting reins.
Special teams
- Nick Folk, Thomas Hennessy, Austin McNamara (3)
Veteran kicker Nick Folk edges out rookie Harrison “Thiccer Kicker” Mevis for the job. At the same time, long snapper Thomas Hennessy enters his ninth season with the Jets, the longest tenure of any active player on the roster.
Austin McNamara, meanwhile, earns his first opportunity as an NFL starting punter.
