We may be a few weeks away from the New York Jets having to make their final cutdowns to the league’s required 53-man roster.
While the Jets have many players considered surefire picks to make the team, choosing who fills out the back end of the roster isn’t always easy. New York has to make 37 cuts, after all.
While we have a few more weeks to wait for those decisions to be made, there is at least some semblance of understanding for where the organization is with that current decision.
And it’s time to break that all down.
Jets roster bubble
As with any 90-man roster, there are players on the team who “locks” to make the 53-man team. There are also “bubble” players, or those who still have plenty to prove to make the final roster.
Then there are the longshots – the players who have a long way to go to prove they belong at the NFL level.
The good news is that the Jets have a lot of players that are seemingly locked in for their roles. That leaves just 20 or so spots to fight for along the way. The hard part will be that those final 20 spots will be difficult decisions for the rest of their coaching staff.
Locks (33)
Tony Adams, Braelon Allen, Andrew Beck, Michael Carter II, Andre Cisco, Byron Cowart, Isaiah Davis, Olu Fashanu, Justin Fields, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Thomas Hennessy, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Austin McNamara, Armand Membou, Malachi Moore, Josh Myers, Jamien Sherwood, John Simpson, Arian Smith, Brandon Stephens, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Mason Taylor, Tyrod Taylor, Azareye’h Thomas, Joe Tippmann, Jay Tufele, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams, Garrett Wilson
It’s been a long time since the Jets have had this many “locks” at this point in the summer. New York has a lot of young talent to work with and a coaching staff that remains focused on teaching the group the right way.
33 may seem like a lot, but it’s a testament to the talent this staff is walking in with, and the young potential that Darren Mougey was able to bring in over the last few months.
Bubble (33)
Tyler Baron, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Dean Clark, Michael Clemons, Brady Cook, Malachi Corley, Jamin Davis, Nick Folk, Xavier Gipson, Tyler Johnson, Allen Lazard, Adrian Martinez, Phidarian Mathis, Francisco Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Harrison Mevis, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Derrick Nnadi, Kene Nwangwu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Isaiah Oliver, Payton Page, Jamaal Pritchett, Josh Reynolds, Jeremy Ruckert, Quentin Skinner, Stone Smartt, Brandon Smith, Leonard Taylor III, Carter Warren, Eric Watts, Rashad Weaver
From special teams stars to quality role players on either side of the field, the Jets have plenty of difficult decisions to make. A lot of these bubble players may end up being sure things in the next couple of weeks.
Nothing is guaranteed, though, and these 33 players have to figure out a way to fill out those final 20 roster spots moving forward.
Longshots (24)
Zaire Barnes, Kris Boyd, Bump Cooper, Donovan Edwards, Michael Fletcher, Liam Fornadel, Mario Goodrich, Marquis Hayes, Samuel Jackson, Neal Johnson, Kingsley Jonathan, Zack Kuntz, Kohl Levao, Tanner McCalister, Braiden McGregor, Dymere Miller, Jarius Monroe, Fatorma Mulbah, Jackson Sirmon, Boog Smith, Lawrance Toafili, Ja’Markis Weston, Leander Wiegand, Ontaria Wilson
Many players looked solid in the first preseason game and training camp. Players like Donovan Edwards, Dymere Miller, and Bump Cooper all made some standout plays.
But they are all behind quality depth at their respective positions. That will make things extremely difficult for any of these players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but missing the 53-man cutdown would not mean their careers would be over. Strong performances could see them catch on to the Jets’ practice squad or that of another team.
