The New York Jets’ 2025 preseason slate has officially ended. Aaron Glenn’s first sideline boss attempt resulted in a 1-2 August, which is neither here nor there.

Preseason’s finish shifts all eyes to the New York Jets roster.

The NFL’s official cut day date and time is Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Glenn and his team will furiously discuss 53-man roster possibilities all weekend, and expect roster-cut news to begin trickling into the sports media world on Monday (perhaps even Sunday night in some instances).

Before then, let’s outline one last crack at projecting the New York Jets’ 53-man roster.

JUMP TO—PAGE NAV SHOW

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3)

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

Yes, I’ll stick with the three-quarterback room for the 2025 New York Jets. While Brady Cook’s preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles won’t wow anybody on the stat sheet, three throws on his final drive were absolute lasers, placed perfectly, into obscenely tight coverage.

The undrafted Mizzou product has shown too much to ignore. His understanding of and execution with anticipation and leverage are the on-tape skills that NFL executives are doggedly chasing.

Therefore, risking him on the practice squad is dangerous territory.

And no, it’s not even close between Cook and Adrian Martinez. Forget about the stats; Cook’s traits give coaches something to work with at this level, whereas Martinez routinely triggers only when he sees something open first.

Plus, carrying three allows the Jets to take advantage of the “extra active roster spot” rule—something that should not be tossed aside with a rush-heavy starting quarterback and oft-injured veteran backup.

Glenn may keep Martinez on the practice squad, but the Bill Parcells-type coach strikes me as one who wants as many practice bodies as possible.

  • Notable cuts: Adrian Martinez (QB)

Running Backs (3)

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

As much as I’d like to keep Kene Nwangwu, I think the Jets feel so good about their trio of backs that a fourth isn’t needed. Plus, Justin Fields is a running back in his own right, and expect him to lead the team in rushing.

Nwangwu’s special teams prowess is evident, but his route running offensively leaves a lot to be desired.

The odds are still strong that the Jets keep just two quarterbacks, which opens the door for Nwangwu as the fourth running back and major special teams contributor.

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

Fullbacks (1)

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

Andrew Beck makes it as the team’s lone fullback (with the versatility to also play tight end).

Wide Receivers (6)

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

Allen Lazard starting the season on IR creates an excellent opportunity for the Jets’ wide receiver room. Rookie Arian Smith is a lock, but everything is up for debate afterward.

Expect bigger-bodied Brandon Smith to make it alongside speedy Jamaal Pritchett, who will hold down the team’s main kick and punt return duties. Pritchett has legitimate NFL explosiveness, and if not for the significant numbers at the position, he’d be a lock in his own right.

Unfortunately, UDFA Quentin Skinner is destined for the practice squad, despite his impressive route running on tape. Xavier Gipson is cut, as his summer continued to be derailed by injury, and the disappointing Malachi Corley is a goner.

  • Notable cuts: Malachi Corley (WR), Xavier Gipson (WR)
  • Injured: Allen Lazard (Z-Base, A-Slot—Short-term IR), Irv Charles (WR, Gunner—Short-term IR)
  • Practice squad: Quinten Skinner (WR)

Tight Ends (3)

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

Jeremy Ruckert’s roster status remains questionable, as his blocking in the preseason games hasn’t been up to snuff. However, there must be four (TE/FB), which is Ruckert’s saving grace. (This is especially true with Stone Smartt’s receiving/vertical-threat prototype.)

Only if Darren Mougey spots an attractive cut from one of the other 31 teams will Ruckert be cut himself.

  • 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 offensive tackle room is pretty straightforward. Carter Warren becomes a practice squad body.

  • 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)

On the inside, these five players are pretty set in stone. Perhaps the only question revolves around Glenn’s potential to keep 10 offensive linemen, but I’m going with nine, allowing another spot elsewhere.

  • Practice squad: Kohl Levao (G)

Defense (25)

Interior Defensive Linemen (6)

  1. Quinnen Williams (3T)
  2. Harrison Phillips (1T)
  3. Byron Cowart (1T)
  4. Jay Tufele (IDL)
  5. Jowon Briggs (IDL)
  6. Leonard Taylor III (3T)

Could the Jets possibly keep six interior defensive linemen? It’s doubtful, but it’s difficult to cut a body after acquiring Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

Should they keep the conventional five, young Leonard Taylor III is likely the odd man out—something I never would have typed a mere week ago.

Despite Taylor’s obvious talent, I’ll bet on the idea that Glenn isn’t in love with the intangibles. In other words, perhaps the reason he went undrafted is ringing true this summer, and Glenn spots it (rumored to not love the game of football, put forth a questionable work ethic, etc.).

However, Taylor makes it despite Glenn’s mental struggle, creating a large IDL room.

In Glenn’s eyes, stopping the run is this team’s most significant wildcard, as it must happen before any defensive improvement can commence. Rotation at this spot is a league norm, making six at DT not even close to insane.

Perhaps Byron Cowart could still be IR-bound, making life much easier at the start of the season (while easily carrying Taylor). At this point, that possibility isn’t likely.

  • 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. Eric Watts (EDGE, BIG-EDGE)
  5. Tyler Baron (EDGE)

It’s possible the Jets keep just four EDGE players, given how ineffective the position has been this summer. Jermaine Johnson is still working his way back, leaving Will McDonald as the team’s only fearsome EDGE pass-rush threat.

Rookie Tyler Baron hasn’t turned heads even a little, which has some questioning his status. Eric Watts frustratingly plays with a high pad level, but his size puts him in the BIG EDGE class, the only player of that ilk behind Micheal Clemons.

Glenn has admitted his love for having a bigger EDGE on the strong side in base, so I’ll bet that Watts makes the team, for that very reason.

  • Injured: Rashad Weaver (EDGE—Out for season)
  • Practice squad: Braiden McGregor (EDGE)

Linebackers (5)

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

Jamin Davis and Marcelino McCrary-Ball were locked in a heated battle for the starting WILL for some time. The former clearly emerged victorious.

In the 4-3, the minimum at linebacker is four, but I think McCrary-Ball did just enough as a special-teamer.

Hopefully, Francisco Mauigoa’s progress has been enough to fill in admirably whenever there’s an injury, as Glenn needs a heavier linebacker to contrast alongside either Jamien Sherwood or Quincy Williams.

  • 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)

This could be a problem, numbers-wise. Carrying just four boundary cornerbacks doesn’t look great on paper, especially relating to special teams. Then again, who else makes it?

Jarrick Bernard-Converse is the man in question. The LSU product has intriguing talent, but it’s been too inconsistent.

  • Injured: Kris Boyd (BCB—Out for season)
  • Practice squad: Jarrick Bernard-Converse (BCB, S), Bump Cooper (BCB)

Slot Cornerbacks (1)

  1. Michael Carter II (SCB)

The greatest mistake I made in my pre-preseason roster prediction was at this position. For about a week or so, Jordan Clark began turning up the camp production.

Better yet, the Jets treated Clark with specificity, as he was the lone slot cornerback to work with Michael Carter II in positionals. Rarely does a rookie get treated that way. Then again, teams seldom treat the slot cornerback room separately.

While Clark’s mind is NFL-ready, his body and quickness aren’t there. He’s intriguing, particularly thanks to his nose for the ball and awareness, but he’s practice squad-bound, which isn’t the worst thing in the world.

  • Jordan Clark (SCB)

Safeties (4)

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

Four safeties to go with four boundary corners and a single slot corner means the Jets will carry just nine defensive backs. By no means is it crazy, but it’s a bit low.

The good news is the group’s versatility. Isaiah Oliver can play any position. Malachi Moore can slide down into the slot corner spot, as can Tony Adams. Plus, Michael Carter has safety experience, although he’s not moving anywhere.

The sneaky DB is Tanner McCalister, as I don’t totally rule out the possibility that he sneaks onto the roster. But he’ll join the likes of locker room favorite Jarius Monroe and Dean Clark, the latter of whom deserves a hat tip for his preseason play.

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

Special Teams (3)

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

There isn’t much to say about the special teams group, as this trio is set in stone.

Roster at-a-glance

  • QB: Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, Brady Cook
  • RB: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
  • FB: Andrew Beck
  • WR: Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Jamaal Pritchett, Brandon Smith
  • TE: Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt
  • OT: Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Chukwuma Okorafor, Max Mitchell
  • IOL: Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Xavier Newman
  • IDL: Quinnen Williams, Harrison Phillips, Byron Cowart, Jay Tufele, Jowon Briggs, Leonard Taylor III
  • EDGE: Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, Eric Watts, Tyler Baron
  • LB: Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, Jamin Davis, Francisco Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
  • BCB: Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Qwan’tez Stiggers, AZ Thomas
  • SCB: Michael Carter II
  • S: Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore, Isaiah Oliver
  • K: Nick Folk
  • P: Austin McNamara
  • LS: Thomas Hennessy

First-to-be-cut ranking

  1. Kene Nwangwu (RB)
  2. Jarrick Bernard-Converse (BCB)
  3. Quentin Skinner (WR)
  4. Donovan Edwards (RB)
  5. Xavier Gipson (WR)
  6. Braiden McGregor (EDGE)
  7. Tanner McCalister (DB)
  8. Malachi Corley (WR)
  9. Jordan Clark (SCB)
  10. Carter Warren (OT)
  11. Dean Clark (S)

Kene Nwangwu is definitely the first to be cut on this projection. The ranking could be argued thereafter.

Malachi Corley’s spot is attributed to his rookie contract, as cutting a player on a rookie deal is never a wanted move.

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