We are just a few hours away from the New York Jets officially announcing their initial 53-man roster ahead of the 2025 season. As things stand, New York has 75 players on the active roster.
22 individuals must be cut before the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Before we get into the speculation that always comes with key decisions like this, it’s time to give our final thoughts on what the Jets’ roster might look like heading into Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here are three questions that will be answered today.
How loyal will Jets be to 2025 draft class?
Typically, a first-time general manager and head coach will want to keep all of their rookie draft picks on the 53-man roster. While exceptions happen, the Jets probably are not planning to move anyone from their 2025 draft class.
Edge rusher Tyler Baron and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa will test that thought process, though.
Both fifth-round picks were non-factors during their first training camp and preseason. Mauigoa can play special teams, but many wonder whether Baron will ever be able to make a positive impact after a struggling summer.
How the Jets handle these two draft picks will be interesting. Will they simply give both a roster spot despite their poor camps? Or will the team practice what they preach by keeping the players who performed best from each particular group?
Whatever the case, that’s a question to be answered once the cutdowns are officially decided.
Which player is most expendable?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that offensive tackle Carter Warren was receiving trade interest around the league. Warren may not be the only player on the block, though.
Whether it’s wide receiver Allen Lazard, tight end Jeremy Ruckert, or any other role player on the team, the Jets could have a trade in the works to clear up a roster spot. Darren Mougey has shown he will not sit idly by if he can find a deal that makes sense for the team.
Are weaknesses truly what they appear?
If you ask most Jets fans what the team’s biggest weaknesses are entering 2025, most will answer with the defensive line, wide receiver, or tight end.
As is the case in the NFL, though, weaknesses are not always what they appear.
Take the Jets’ defensive line. Last year, they were the Achilles heel of the defense. Robert Saleh’s wide-nine scheme left the Jets vulnerable against the run, which was a mismatch for the makeup of the defensive line. New York’s athletic, gap-shooting linemen were easily exploited.
Under Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks, the Jets will run a more disciplined scheme that is better suited to stop the run, which should cover up some of the unit’s apparent weaknesses.
It goes to show that the proper coaching and scheme can help mitigate an on-paper weakness.
The same could be said for wide receiver or tight end. If Tanner Engstrand excels at scheming players open, the Jets’ wide receivers and tight ends may not be as much of an issue as they seem.
Additionally, you never know when a player will step up with unexpected production. Whether it’s Arian Smith at wide receiver or Mason Taylor at tight end, someone could step up and provide more production than fans anticipate.
Whatever the case, it’s much too early to pinpoint exactly where the Jets will be the weakest throughout the 2025 season. They must focus on strengthening the roster at every position, not just a select few that appear weakest in the present.
