With just one more preseason game remaining which will consist largely of players who will get their walking papers in the coming days, it’s time to take a stab at which players will make Gang Green’s final 53-man roster before the season kicks off on September 9th.
Quarterbacks (2): Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian
Luke Falk becomes a practice squad candidate while Davis Webb is looking for work.
Running Backs (4): Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, Trenton Cannon
Eli McGuire gets bumped by the return of Bilal Powell and Cannon edges him out for a roster spot due to his outstanding special teams coverage and potential as an explosive situational player. Valentine Holmes lands on the practice squad.
Wide Receivers (7): Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder, Deontay Burnett, Josh Bellamy, Charone Peake, Greg Dortch
Bellamy did little in the preseason but makes it as a Gase favorite. Charone Peake barely hangs on for another season (for now).
Tight End (3): Ryan Griffin, Eric Tomlinson, Trevon Wesco
Chris Herndon is suspended for the first four games of the season so Daniel Brown is the odd man out. Wesco has shown enough as a blocker that it could bump Eric Tomlinson when Herndon returns.
Offensive Line (9): Kelvin Beachum, Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell, Tom Compton, Jonotthan Harrison, Chuma Edoga, Alex Lewis
Brent Qvale’s injury kept him on the shelf and keeps him off the roster as the new regime didn’t get an extended look at him. Roster hopeful Ben Braden doesn’t hang around after Joe Douglas traded for Alex Lewis.
Defensive Line (6): Henry Anderson, Quinnen Williams, Leonard Williams, Steve McLendon, Foley Fatukasi, Bronson Kaufusi.
Nathan Shepherd loses his roster spot while the much improved Folorunso Fatukasi makes the 53. In our view, Kyle Phillips is another practice squad candidate.
Linebackers (8): Jordan Jenkins, Neville Hewitt, CJ Mosley, Frankie Luvu, Tarell Basham, Jachai Polite, Blake Cashman, Anthony Wint
Safety (4): Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Rotez Miles, Derrick Kindred
Adams and Maye look to become what so many had hoped when they were drafted a few seasons ago and Miles looks for an expanded role in Gregg Williams’ defense. Kindred’s familiarity with Williams helps him hang around and bump Doug Middleton.
Cornerback (7): Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole, Marcus Cooper, Alex Brown, Parry Nickerson, Kyron Brown
Some of these guys only stick because the position is littered with question marks. Waiver wire moves (and possibly trades) will mean some changes will be made in a hurry.
Spcialists (3): Taylor Bertolet, Lac Edwards, Thomas Hennessey
Bertolet is a place holder while the Jets wait for another kicker to shake looks. Keep an eye on veteran Dan Bailey.
As we already said, some of these names will change in the hours and days after teams finalize their 53, so keep your eyes peeled.