New York Jets' Way Too Early 53-man Roster Projection
There are really only a handful of spots truly up for grabs on the New York Jets' 2023 53-man roster.
Aaron Rodgers wasn't brought here to stand by and watch. Garrett Wilson is cemented atop the depth chart. Free-agent signees Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman are obviously making the 2023 regular season roster.
No one is leap-frogging Quinnen Williams or Sauce Gardner at their respective defensive positions.
A lot of the Jets' roster is already set with proven veteran talent in place, but there is merit to the idea that pros are competing for their jobs on a daily basis.
In a good problem to have, Gang Green has a deep pool of good players and will be forced to cut some of those good players, who will most certainly be claimed by other teams.
With roster cutdown day (there's only one this year) a little less than three months away, here's a way—too—early projection of who will play for the Jets on opening night.
Offense
Quarterback — 2
Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson
Cuts — Tim Boyle, Chris Streveler
Analysis — Roster spots are too valuable to use on a third quarterback, especially when a veteran option like Boyle will likely make it through waiver claims and onto the Practice Squad.
Running Backs — 5
Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda, Bam Knight, Travis Dye
Cuts — Nick Bawden (FB)
Analysis — With Ty Johnson's departure, the undrafted Dye could warrant keeping a fifth running back if he can contribute on specials. Bawden is likeable, but fullbacks are dinosaurs in the modern-day game.
Receivers — 6
Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Denzel Mims, Corey Davis, Randall Cobb
Cuts — Xavier Gipson, Irvin Charles, Diontae Spencer, Malik Taylor, TJ Luther, Jason Brownlee, Jerome Kapp
Analysis — The Top 6 seem clear cut for one reason or another. Cobb was brought in to share knowledge of the system and add to Rodgers's comfort level and team brass insists Davis is part of the plans. Maybe a seventh forces his way onto the roster since the head coach believes "you can never have enough receivers," but the most-plausible scenario is where they keep six options and possibly activate only five on game days.
Tight Ends — 3
Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert
Cuts — Zack Kuntz, Izaiah Gathings, E.J. Jenkins, Kenny Yeboah
Analysis — Conklin and Uzomah seem locked into the top two spots with Ruckert looking to earn an increased role in Year 2. Kuntz is the perfect PS development prospect.
Offensive Tackles — 5
Duane Brown, Mekhi Becton, Max Mitchell, Billy Turner, Carter Warren
Cuts — Greg Senat, Yodny Cajuste
Analysis — Turner is likely only here for one year and Brown is about to turn 38 years old. With Becton's future unclear, the development of Warren, a fourth-round rookie, should be a priority. Senat and Cajuste would be great to stash on the Practice Squad should they go unclaimed.
Interior O-linemen — 5
Connor McGovern, Joe Tippman, Wes Schweitzer, Laken Tomlinson, Alijah Vera-Tucker
Cuts — Adam Pankey, Trystan Colon, Brent Laing, Eric Smith, Chris Glaser
Analysis — After re-signing McGovern and drafting Tippmann, the Jets will carry two pure centers, but don't be surprised if the rookie works his way into the lineup as a guard at some point. Tomlinson and Vera-Tucker are "sharpied" in as the first-string guards with Schweitzer, a battle-tested Swiss Army knife, as the backup.
Defense
Defensive Tackles — 4
Quinnen Williams, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, Al Woods
Cuts — Isaiah Mack, Marquiss Spencer, Tanzel Smart
Analysis — This is a solid veteran quartet headlined by the All-Pro Williams.
Defensive Ends — 6
John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Bryce Huff, Micheal Clemons
Cuts — Deslin Alexandre
Analysis — The undrafted Alexandre loses out in a numbers game, but seems bound for the Practice Squad. This puts the Jets total number of defensive linemen at 10.
Linebackers — 5
CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Hamseh Nasirildeen, Zaire Barnes
Cuts — Chazz Surratt, Claudin Cherelus,, Maalik Hall, Caleb Johnson
Analysis — Only room for five at this position, especially considering how heavily defenses line up in nickel in today's NFL. Maybe a sixth sticks as a result of standing out on special teams.
Safeties — 4
Jordan Whitehead, Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Cuts — Ashtyn Davis, Will Parks, Trey Dean, Marquis Waters
Analysis — The new addition Clark will slide into the starting spot vacated by unsigned Lamarcus Joyner, playing alongside Whitehead. The undrafted Dean will make a push for that fourth spot, but, ultimately the Jets will choose Bernard-Converse, their draft pick out of LSU.
Cornerbacks — 5
Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Justin Hardee
Cuts — Brandin Echols, Craig James, Jimmy Moreland, Derrick Langford, Javelin Guidry
Analysis — Gardner and Reed accounted for one of the baddest CB duos in the NFL and Carter is solid in the slot. Meanwhile, Echols may have lost his roster spot, in part, due to his recently-imposed suspension.
Specialists
Kicker — 1
Greg Zeurlein
Punter — 1
Thomas Morstead
Long Snapper — 1
Thomas Hennessy
Analysis — The three veteran specialists all signed contracts, or in Hennessy's case an extension, this offseason and are locked into their respective positions for 2023.
READ MORE:
Rodgers' Wisdom, Presence Being Felt throughout Jets' Locker Room
Jets' 2023 Unofficial Offseason Depth Chart
