The reward for a job well done in training camp brings about the roughest time in the NFL. Aaron Glenn’s New York Jets roster has the unenviable task of trimming its number from 90 men to 53 by Tuesday afternoon (along with the reserve spots and 16-man practice squad).
While most of the organization appears to be set at this point—helped along by attendance at Monday’s practice—a few spots need to be determined. Head coach Aaron Glenn, in his first year as the Jets’ head coach, is aware of the difficult decisions that await him.
“This is the toughest, one of the toughest, times of the year because you have 90 guys on the roster and you can only keep 53,” Glenn said after his team’s 19-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night. “we’ve got to make our cuts and me and (general manager Darren Mougey) Moug are going to spend a lot of time together to make sure we get this roster right.”
Before the Jets get to that point, though, it’s time to make our final predictions for the 53-man roster while helped along by Monday’s Florham Park news.
Who makes the Jets’ 2025 squad?
No prediction will ever be perfect at this point. General manager Darren Mougey and Glenn will need to determine which players deserve to be on the final roster this week the most.
It’s also important to note that a player may make the team this week, but could still be cut thereafter. That is the grueling part of what makes the NFL the business it is now.
That being said, let’s get to those final predictions …
Offense (25)
QB (2)
- Justin Fields
- Tyrod Taylor
There’s nothing much else to say here. No QB3 really stood out in a positive way. I believe Brady Cook will be sent through waivers and en route to the practice squad, but it’s hard to justify an active roster spot for him.
RB (4)
- Breece Hall
- Braelon Allen
- Isaiah Davis
- Kene Nwangwu
I’ve been on the “Jets will keep five running backs (counting the fullback)” train for a few weeks now. Kene Nwangwu is their best returner and provides a spark when needed as a runner.
FB (1)
- Andrew Beck
Andrew Beck proved himself worthy of playing time this year as both a blocker and a pass catcher. He likely played another player out of a roster spot.
WR (6)
- Garrett Wilson
- Josh Reynolds
- Tyler Johnson
- Arian Smith
- Brandon Smith
- Jamaal Pritchett
Malachi Corley? Gone. Allen Lazard? According to Glenn, he’s on track to play in Week 1, but we’ll roll with him on IR for now.
At this point, the only real question is which of the former and current UDFAs deserves a final roster spot.
Jamaal Pritchett was excellent in Friday’s contest, and Quinten Skinner made a few deep plays. Sprinkle in Brandon Smith’s steady performance, and the Jets have a difficult decision to make.
Pritchett and Smith make it over Skinner because of their total consistency from camp, but Lazard throws a wrench in that idea.
TE (2)
- Mason Taylor
- Stone Smartt
During Friday’s game, I saw something in Beck that made me question Jeremy Ruckert’s role on the team. If the H-back can block like he did in pass protection, then there’s no reason to waste a roster spot on a player who has struggled to do the bare minimum over the last month.
Ruckert loses his job to Beck in this case.
OL (10)
- Olu Fashanu
- John Simpson
- Joe Tippmann
- Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Armand Membou
- Josh Myers
- Chukwuma Okorafor
- Xavier Newman
- Max Mitchell
- Carter Warren
No real surprises here. New York’s offensive line seems set, despite a random position battle at center.
While the backup group struggled mightily together on Friday, they should still be one of the better all-around groups in the NFL.
Defense (25)
EDGE (5)
- Will McDonald
- Jermaine Johnson
- Michael Clemons
- Tyler Baron
- Braiden McGregor
It would be a horrific look for any team to release a fifth-round rookie before he suits up for a single regular-season game. That is the only reason why Tyler Baron makes the roster.
Otherwise, he was not very good in August.
Micheal Clemons, Jermaine Johnson, and Will McDonald are all safe. Braiden McGregor catapults his strong preseason finale into a final roster spot, and he was spotted at practice on Monday.
DT (5)
- Quinnen Williams
- Harrison Phillips
- Jay Tufele
- Byron Cowart
- Jowon Briggs
I really wanted to keep Leonard Taylor III, but I can’t ignore the optics of him playing well into the second half of Friday’s contest. That usually isn’t a good sign for a player on the roster bubble.
Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips are the newcomers, but Byron Cowart, Jay Tufele, and Quinnen Williams all stood out in their own ways this month.
LB (4)
- Jamien Sherwood
- Quincy Williams
- Kiko Mauigoa
- Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Kiko Mauigoa made it because he was a draft pick despite a quiet training camp. Jamin Davis outplayed Marcelino McCray-Ball during the preseason, but the news of the former’s release allows the latter to make the cut (at least for now).
I don’t think the Jets will save a roster spot for anyone else.
CB (6)
- Sauce Gardner
- Brandon Stephens
- Michael Carter II
- AZ Thomas
- Qwan’tez Stiggers
- Jarrick Bernard-Converse
It may seem outlandish for the Jets to keep seven cornerbacks, but with the importance of special teams, New York needs as many guys as possible.
Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, and AZ Thomas are the safe roster spots. Qwan’tez Stiggers and Jarrick Bernard-Converse performed admirably on special teams.
S (5)
- Andre Cisco
- Tony Adams
- Isaiah Oliver
- Malachi Moore
- Dean Clark
Malachi Moore finished the preseason strong on Friday night. His roster spot was never in doubt.
Isaiah Oliver remains a key part and role player in this secondary, where his standing seems secure. Andre Cisco and Tony Adams have earned the right to be their two starters.
The relatively unknown Dean Clark is the surprise in the safety room. He sneaks onto the roster thanks to a strong preseason slate and his special teams prowess.
Special Teams (3)
- K: Nick Folk
- P: Austin McNamara
- LS: Thomas Hennessy
No surprises here. Nick Folk won the kicking battle convincingly, Austin McNamara had an excellent preseason, and Thomas Hennessy is a steady long-snapper.