The New York Jets’ OTAs are over, which means we are one step closer to training camp—and the 2026 season.

Following OTAs, here is a look at our far-too-early 53-man roster prediction for Gang Green.

Quarterback

  • Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe (3)

One of the positional battles fans will be monitoring over the summer will be the Jets’ QB2 race between Cade Klubnik and Bailey Zappe.

I foresee Klubnik, whom the Jets traded up to draft, having a strong summer and ultimately landing the Jets’ backup QB role behind Smith, while Zappe sticks around as the third quarterback on the roster.

Running Back

  • Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu (4)

No changes here from last year. Breece Hall remains the Jets’ workhorse with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis as the backups.

Kene Nwangwu sticks around as a pure special-teamer.

While the Jets shouldn’t hand out too many roster spots to players who only bring value on special teams, Nwangwu is an exception, as he is one of the best kick returners in NFL history.

Fullback

  • Andrew Beck (1)

Following an excellent season on special teams while providing under-the-radar value as a blocker on offense, Andrew Beck makes the Jets’ roster for the second year in a row.

Wide Receiver

  • Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith, Isaiah Williams (6)

Garrett Wilson, Omar Cooper Jr., and Adonai Mitchell are the faces of the Jets’ receiving room this season, while Tim Patrick, Arian Smith, and Isaiah Williams serve as the three depth pieces.

Following the Irv Charles trade, Smith is a lock to make the roster, in my opinion, despite a disappointing rookie campaign last year. Williams mostly sticks around for his return ability, but he can contribute in a limited role.

Patrick is the veteran in the room who can also still produce.

Tight end

  • Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert (3)
  • Practice Squad: Jelani Woods (1)

Fans should be really excited to watch the Jets’ young tight ends this season.

In his rookie season last year, Mason Taylor flashed immense promise, and given his contested-catch prowess, he could emerge as the team’s go-to red-zone target, especially when you also take into account how much Frank Reich utilizes his tight ends near the goal-line.

Kenyon Sadiq has the potential to emerge as an all-around weapon for the team and has the versatility to play alongside Taylor in two tight-end packages.

Jeremy Ruckert rounds out the depth chart after a much-improved year in 2025, which earned him a two-year extension. Fans should hope he continues to develop as a run-blocker following a promising output in that regard last season.

Gang Green keeps Jelani Woods on their practice squad. After carrying a fullback, it would be nonsensical to carry four tight ends on the 53-man roster. Woods has a direct connection to Reich from his days with the Indianapolis Colts, and the athletic freak sticks around on the practice squad.

Offensive line

  • Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper, Landon Young (9)
  • Practice Squad: Kohl Levao, Marquis Hayes (2)

The Jets roll with nine offensive linemen and retain two on the practice squad.

Behind the obvious starting five, the team’s backups include Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, sixth-round rookie Anez Cooper, and Landon Young, while retaining Kohl Levao and Marquis Hayes on the practice squad.

As we recently broke down, the Jets’ interior offensive line depth is concerning.

Defensive line

  • EDGE: David Bailey, Will McDonald, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare (4)
  • DT: T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, Darrell Jackson Jr. (5)
  • Practice Squad: Eric Watts, Braiden McGregor, Payton Page (3)

The Jets enter 2026 with a new-look defensive line, and frankly, a fully revamped defense. There don’t seem to be many surprises here.

The most notable cut I have them making is Tyler Baron, whom they traded up for in the fifth round of last year’s draft. I just don’t see where he fits.

He was a liability last season, and while the team traded up for him, it’s one of those Day 3 picks where you just need to chalk it up as a loss.

Linebacker

  • Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Mykal Walker, Kiko Maugioa (4)
  • Practice Squad: Jaden Keller, Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2)

I have the Jets rolling with four linebackers. Most notably, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, who was a special teams captain last season, ends up on the practice squad instead of the 53-man roster.

McCrary-Ball hasn’t proven anything as a defender and has pretty much been a pure special teamer throughout his career. It’s not good enough for a roster spot on a team like the Jets that needs to optimize all 53 spots with guys who can contribute in multiple areas.

The Jets hope Jamien Sherwood can revert to his Pro Bowl-level form alongside Demario Davis while one of Mykal Walker or Kiko Maugioa steps up.

Cornerback

  • Nahshon Wright, Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas, D’Angelo Ponds, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Qwan’tez Stiggers (6)
  • Practice Squad: Samuel Womack III (1)

The Jets hold a lot of potential in this room, but they are still waiting for one guy to burst onto the scene during the summer.

Nahshon Wright led cornerbacks with five INTs last season, but struggled mightily in coverage. Brandon Stephens has flashed starting potential but struggled with consistency. AZ Thomas passed the eye test during his rookie season and is looking to build off of that.

D’Angelo Ponds could start for the Jets at nickel corner as a rookie, while Jarvis Brownlee Jr. must improve in coverage and reduce his penalty totals.

This will be a very interesting position group to monitor over the summer and to watch who emerges from the pack.

Safety

  • Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Malachi Moore, Andre Cisco, VJ Payne (5)
  • Practice Squad: Jarius Monroe (1)

Safety is a jam-packed position for the Jets after a flurry of offseason moves.

Instead of going with the traditional four, the team rolls with five safeties for the 2026 season. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads the way while being supported by strong depth pieces in Dane Belton and Malachi Moore, who can play all over the field.

Andre Cisco earns a roster spot as a backup free safety while VJ Payne, a seventh-round rookie, makes the roster for his immediate role on special teams and heavy-hitting upside.

Special Teams

  • Jason Sanders, Thomas Hennessy, Austin McNamara (3)

Austin McNamara enters his second NFL season after being one of the best punters in football during his rookie campaign.

Jason Sanders beats out Cade York for the team’s starting kicker role, while Thomas Hennessy fends off Garrison Grimes to remain the longest-tenured Jet.