Jets' Roster Cutdown Tracker: Bam Knight, Zack Kuntz & Tanzel Smart Excluded from Initial 53
It's a tough couple of days for players on the NFL roster bubble. More than 1,000 pros are heading for the unemployment line.
With the final preseason games having been played this past weekend, all 32 teams must trim their rosters down to 53 players apiece prior to a 4:00 pm ET deadline on Tuesday, August 29.
As a product of their deep roster, the New York Jets will ultimately release players who will have appeal to other teams on the waiver wire.
Gang Green made two of those tough cuts on Monday afternoon, reportedly releasing second-year running back Zonovan Knight and undrafted rookie safety Trey Dean.
When players are released, they must pass through waivers if they have fewer than four years of NFL service time to their credit. Vested veterans who are cut automatically become free agents and are permitted to sign with any team.
Veteran punter Thomas Morstead was the biggest "surprise" cut on Tuesday, but the move is most likely only temporary.
Released
(* - Subject to waivers)
DL Deslin Alexandre*
The Pitt product impressed as a UDFA, but the defensive line rotation may be the toughest unit on the team to crack. At his size, he is somewhat of a position-less tweener but definitely possesses pro potential.
FB Nick Bawden
The fullback isn't necessarily out of the picture. His release could be a case of roster gymnastics with the expectation to re-sign shortly. Even so, Bawden's position is slowly being phased out across the NFL, but it does have a role in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's scheme.
QB Tim Boyle
The emergency quarterback didn't do enough to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster, but his familiarity with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett should result in a Practice Squad invitation.
LB Claudin Cherelus*
The HBCU product signed as a UDFA and flashed adequate ability. He was banged up in early August, but returned to make tackles in each of the final two preseason contests. Cherelus is definitely in the Practice Squad conversation.
OL Trystan Colon
The reserve interior offensive lineman became expendable once Wes Schweitzer solidified himself as the primary backup at guard and the emergency option at center.
S Trey Dean*
The undrafted rookie impressed throughout a productive preseason, but not enough to convince the Jets to carry five safeties. Ashtyn Davis, a 2020 third-round draft pick, appears to have survived the safety competition. Dean, a highly-touted prospect whose draft stock took a hit due to a slow 40 time, will almost definitely receive an invitation to join the Practice Squad, but it's possible he gets scooped up on waivers before that can happen.
RB Travis Dye*
The UDFA was climbing uphill at a packed position group and his roster chances crashed to zero once Dalvin Cook joined the team.
LB Sam Eguavoen
The former Miami Dolphins' linebacker joined the Jets after the Hall of Fame Game and totaled 3.0 tackles-for-loss over the final three preseason contests. He has played in 66 regular season career games with most of his reps coming on special teams.
WR Alex Erickson
Erickson has been on four teams in the past three years. He inked a deal with the Jets at the beginning of training camp and proceeded to score two touchdowns in the preseason finale. His value is as an emergency option at receiver.
OL Chris Glaser*
After bouncing on and off the Practice Squad on multiple occasions in 2022, Glaser failed to carve out a larger role for himself this summer.
DT Bruce Hector
The veteran signed with the Jets after the Hall of Fame Game. He made 2.0 sacks in the triumphant preseason finale, but there are no vacancies along the team's loaded D-line.
OT Grant Hermanns*
The Jets claimed Hermanns off waivers from the Buccaneers on August 8 to fill in for an injured, and subsequently released, Yodny Cajuste.
DE Jalyn Holmes
Gang Green signed Holmes on August 14 while simultaneously placing defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo on IR.
CB Craig James
The 2022 Practice Squad member provided depth during camp more than actually challenging for a roster spot at a position with little to no availability.
TE EJ Jenkins*
The rookie tight end is an intriguing prospect that boasts height and good hands, but there isn't any room on the active roster for the UDFA with Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzomah and former third-round draft pick Jeremy Ruckert seemingly locked into the top three TE spots. Should the Jets roster four tight ends, seventh-round rookie Zack Kuntz is the likely choice.
LB Caleb Johnson*
The former Miami Hurricane linebacker inked a deal with the Green & White after going undrafted, but never rose above third-team status.
WR Jerome Kapp*
The Division II product is an intriguing underdog story, but he never seemed to pop during in-game situations. Kapp, who will be forever known for his Eminem rap cover during "Hard Knocks" Episode 3, may get a PS look.
RB Zonovan Knight*
The second-year pro was the odd man out in the numbers game at the running back position once the Jets brought Dalvin Cook aboard. Knight, who totaled 400 yards from scrimmage over seven appearances in 2022, will almost certainly land on the Practice Squad if he's not claimed by another team, but there is rumored interest in him around the league.
TE Zack Kuntz*
The Jets used a seventh-round flier on the physically-freakish athlete, but the tight end failed to stand out amongst the crowd. A raw player with Kuntz's size and athleticism is ideal for the PS.
CB Derrick Langford*
The post-draft rookie signing made multiple tackles in each of the last three preseason games, but never truly had a realistic path to the 53-man roster at this point in his development. He likely warrants PS consideration.
OL Brent Laing*
The first-year interior offensive lineman was a roster longshot out of Division II Minnesota-Duluth.
WR TJ Luther*
The undrafted rookie was buried on the WR depth chart.
P Thomas Morstead
The vested veteran will almost certainly be re-signed after the Jets tinker with the initial 53-man list in the next 48 hours, especially since there is no punter on the current roster.
OL Adam Pankey
Pankey spent much of the 2022 campaign on the Jets' Practice Squad and may wind up providing emergency guard depth in that role again this fall.
OL Greg Senat
The offensive tackle, who was originally a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, was taking third-team reps for the entirety of the preseason. Senat, a Wagner College product, definitely carries value as a potential Practice Squad player.
CB Nehemiah Shelton
The depth corner was a late training camp addition, signing on August 17, and never had a legit opportunity to pop.
DT Tanzel Smart
While managing to remain in the NFL for seven seasons, the career reserve has been unable to take the next step. His story made for compelling television on "Hard Knocks" Episode 3, but it was always a near-impossible task to crack one of the league's deepest defensive line rotations.
DL Marquiss Spencer*
The former Denver Broncos' draft pick spent the last seven weeks of the 2022 season on the Jets' Practice Squad and could wind up there again in 2023.
LB Pita Taumoepenu
The XFL Defensive Player of the Year was never really a serious contender for a roster spot. He was signed on August 8 after the team lost multiple depth linebackers, including Hamsah Nasirildeen, to injury. Taumoepenu did manage to record a sack in the preseason win over the Giants.
WR Malik Taylor
Initially thought to be in the WR6 competition, Taylor missed some practice time this month and that could've damaged his candidacy.
LB Nick Vigil
Signed on August 6, the 2016 third-round draft pick (Bengals) was primarily a camp body.
S Marquis Waters*
The undrafted rookie was overshadowed during training camp by fellow UDFA Trey Dean, but he could get a look as a developmental PS player.
Reserve/PUP
DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Having yet to practice, the sixth-round rookie can come off the PUP list and join the team after the first four weeks of the regular season.
Suspended
CB Brandin Echols
The second-string cornerback is suspended for the Week 1 game against the Bills. The Jets can activate him afterwards, but must clear a roster spot to do so.
Injured Reserve
(if placed on IR prior to the initial 53-man roster deadline, then the player is out for the entire season unless an injury settlement is reached)
CB Jimmy Moreland
After spending the 2022 campaign on the Jets' Practice Squad, Moreland had a productive preseason and appeared to push CB Bryce Hall for a roster spot. The cornerback totaled 15 tackles, three passes defensed and one interception this summer.
Waived/Injured
(If not claimed, these players will revert to Injured Reserve. Jets can then retain them on IR or reach an injury settlement.)
DB Javelin Guidry (Aug. 17)
The Green & White signed Guidry off waivers from the Falcons in May. After he was waived/injured following the third preseason game, the cornerback cleared waivers and reverted back to IR.
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