Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas addresses the media during the introductory press conference for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) (not pictured) at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
At some point today, the names will start rolling in through various outlets to let us know which players the New York Jets will be parting ways with as they cut down to assemble their 53 man roster. When all is said and done, who do we believe will be left standing? A look at our projected 53 man roster.
Quarterback (2): Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson
Practice Squad (1): Tim Boyle
No surprises here as Rodgers takes over under center with Wilson continuing to learn behind the future hall of famer.
Running back (5): Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda, Nick Bawden
Practice Squad (1): Bam Knight
The biggest question here is Knight or Carter and it could honestly go either way. If it were us making the call, we’d go with Knight. But Joe Douglas is making the decision and we think he’ll stick with the guy he drafted in Carter. Knight lands on the practice squad if he doesn’t get snatched up elsewhere.
Wide Receiver (6): Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Mecole Hardman, Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson
Practice squad (1): Irv Charles
The sudden departure of Corey Davis opens a spot for an extra receiver. Brownlee and Gipson were battling for a spot but now they both stick with Brownlee taking on Davis’ projected role and Gipson offering plenty as a return man.
Tight End (4): Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert, Zach Kuntz
Kuntz has shown a lot more than expected as a blocker which helps him hang around while Ruckert has been kept in bubble wrap along with the rest of the starters after a strong start to training camp.
Offensive Line (9): Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner, Joe Tippmann, Was Schweitzer.
Keeping 10 is a possibility but given the number of lineman who can play multiple spots we’re going with nine for now. Mekhi Becton was officially named as the team’s starting right tackle after yesterday’s victory over the Giants.
Defensive Line (10): Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Bryce Huff, Al Wood, Quinton Jefferson, Michael Clemons, Solomon Thomas.
Easily the deepest unit on the team and possibly in the NFL. The group should do some serious damage in 2023 with Johnson looking like one of the most improved players on the roster at this point and McDonald earning plenty of praise from the moment he arrived at 1 Jets Drive. Would also keep an eye on Carl Lawson. For a guy whose injury was reportedly so minor, he has missed a fair bit of time.
Practice squad (2): Tanzel Smart, Deslin Alexandre
Linebacker (5): CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Chazz Surratt
Surratt is the longest of longshots on our projected 53 based on his injury history, but Robert Saleh’s feelings on Surratt were made pretty clear following a strong pre-season debut. If he doesn’t land on the roster, it could be chalked up to a sketchy injury history for Surratt.
Cornerback (5): Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Jimmy Moreland, Justin Hardee
Gardner, Reed and Carter give the Jets what is arguably the NFL’s top trio at cornerback. Brandin Echols will re-join the team in week 2 after serving a week 1 suspension. Moreland’s stay on the roster will likely be brief if everyone stays healthy.
Safety (4): Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adams, Adrian Amos, Trey Dean
IR (1): Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Whitehead and Adams were also kept on ice for much of this preseason as locks to make the roster while Dean stood out week after week on game day, allowing him to stick on the 53 man roster. Dean was one player we named after the draft as a UDFA who had a shot. At the same time, don’t rule out Ashtyn Davis who played some of his best football as a pro over the final two preseason games. If the team feels the light has come on, Davis will stick.
Specialists (3): Greg Zuerlein, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy
This should give the Jets the best special teams group they’ve had in years with Morstead over the departed Braden Mann being a massive upgrade.
And as per usual, it’s worth keeping in mind that the players at the bottom of the 53 man roster could be moved along within a day or two as names of interest hit the waiver wire.