New York Jets 53 Man Roster Prediction

The time for rosters to be cut down to 53 men is this coming Tuesday at 4pm EST, and the regular season will be upon us in just two weeks. I for one can’t wait for regular season football when it counts, but preseason was incredibly important as well. A lot of things were learned, players showed or didn’t, and that will have the greatest impact in the decisions Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh make in trimming this roster to 53. I have my own observations from preseason as well as training camp that will impact my predictions below, with some surprises as well. Now I say Douglas and Saleh because are team is finally correctly structured and managed. Joe and Robert work together, not as two people on the same hierarchy level independent from one another, answering to only Woody Johnson like before. Robert Saleh will give Joe Douglas crucial feedback and opinions that will affect his decisions in who to cut. Now, let’s get into how I think this 53 man roster will shake out:

Quarterbacks (3)

Starter: Zach Wilson

Backups: Josh Johnson, Mike White

Cut: James Morgan

Now the starter is easy. Zach Wilson is the Jets future and that future looks incredibly bright. Now the backup situation, not as easy. Since Joe Douglas has been GM of the Jets they have had two quarterbacks on the roster at times and also had three quarterbacks on the roster as times. Josh Johnson looked very good and also very athletic and mobile in the third preseason game. He is also a veteran. I was excited before training camp for Mike White to finally get a chance as I was high on him in the 2018 draft for his football IQ among other things. He looked good in camp and in the preseason went 13/19 for 127 yards in the first game and 7/9 for 29 yards in the second. He threw no touchdowns, but also threw no interceptions. He also had a bad pocket and was under duress most of the time. I like his potential and think he could make this roster if the Jets keep three quarterbacks. If they only keep two, he could be QB2 but it most likely will go to the veteran Josh Johnson.

James Morgan is gone no matter what. When he was drafted I pointed out he throws a beautiful deep ball, his best trait. I wanted to see it that entire last drive in the third preseason game, but at least we saw it on that last play and what a play it was! That alone could entice a team to pick him up if we cut him, or maybe even entice a team enough for Joe to trade him for a late round pick. I doubt the latter, but Joe Douglas has proven himself to be a master of trades and always walk away with more than expected so who knows.

Running Backs (4)

Ty Johnson, Michael Carter, La’Mical Perine, Josh Adams

Surprise Cut: Tevin Coleman

Now I know what you’re thinking, “why would they cut the only veteran”, but its that thought that brought me to this. The other four guys are all young, with the oldest of them being Josh Adams at 24. All four of them have shown well in camp and in the preseason. Now most Jets fans like myself are excited about this coming season and believe this team has potential, but understand it is far from a finished product. That being the case, a 28 year old running back isn’t really a long term solution. The other four guys are, and like we said they all looked good in camp and the preseason. Here’s two quick stats on the young Josh Adams for those who doubt him:

Josh Adams had 12 carries yesterday & averaged 5.2 YPC, highest on team among RBs

He didn't get any carries wk2

wk1 he only got 2 carries but averaged 7 YPC, again highest among RBs

In 2020 Josh Adams only got 29 carries but averaged 5.4 YPC, highest again among all RBs#Jets pic.twitter.com/STGgJKgNlk

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 28, 2021

Josh Adams is a legit beast 😤

Out of his 157 total rushing yards in 2020, 103 of those yards came after contact

That's 66% of his total yards! #Jets | #PHIvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/PjZqFbiZyN

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) August 28, 2021

So, after that third preseason game I thought a big question Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh were going to have to answer is who is the power back now: Josh Adams or La’Mical Perine? I had always been a bigger fan of Adams over Perine for the stats above and the fact that he is bigger and faster, but through press conferences and interviews Robert Saleh had made it clear Perine was his power back and how much faith he had in him. I really loved all of Perine’s answers in interviews and he has proven me wrong and made me a believer.

Ty Johnson has earned the head of this running back committee. He has looked great. I even noted in the first preseason game I thought he looked quicker and more elusive than mast year, and he has also shown quite capable of moving the pile this preseason as well. Michael Carter could definitely overtake him at some point, or may earn his way up to an even split in carries with him, but Johnson is RB1. Now we have four backs, all 24 or younger. Two are beasts and power backs, two are shifty elusive backs. Now factor in that all four have shown to be pass catching options, I don’t think Tevin Coleman being cut is that crazy of a thought. He’s only making $1.1M with $400k in dead cap. Marginal numbers, plus the Jets still have almost $20M in cap space thanks to the management of Joe Douglas. The best players should always play, regardless of money, and this team is building for the future.

Wide Recievers (7)

Starters: Corey Davis, Keelan Cole, Jamison Crowder

Backups: Denzel Mims, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios, Vyncent Smith

Cut: Lawrence Cager, Jeff Smith, DJ Montgomery

Corey Davis is WR1, and that relationship and chemistry between him and Zach Wilson is really starting to take shape. I had an article last month explaining why WR2 is Keelan Cole’s job to lose. In it I explain how this isn’t a knock on Denzel Mims, and he could still even be a true WR1 someday, but it is Keelan Cole’s job to lose. See the article for more explanation and analysis as to why.

Elijah Moore is a potential Super Star. He is the best wide receiver prospect the Jets have drafted since Keyshawn Johnson in 1996. He has looked unbelievable since being drafted and will be a starter in short time. He could even have a 1,000 yard season as a rookie if he stays healthy. However, like with my Cole argument, nothing is given away on this new Robert Saleh team, everything is earned. Moore is a rookie who has been out for a little bit. Crowder is a proven veteran, one of the best slot wide receivers in the NFL every season, and been the Jets best wide receiver each of the last two years. I do believe they will both be on the field together a lot, making both of them starters. Mike LaFleur is going to scheme to his players strengths, and when you have two explosive and dynamic players like that it would be crazy to not stretch defenses with both of them.

Now we’ve seen that Joe Douglas smartly likes to accumulate draft picks, and could be willing to deal any player in the final year of their contract that he doesn’t see in their future plans. That means if Moore balls out quickly and supplants Crowder, Crowder could be traded for the right price. Same with Braxton Berrios, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. Douglas might view Berrios as part of his future plans, but these are interesting possibilities. Like Joe says, he’ll always answer the phone, and if the right offer comes in, then he will take it.

I felt Lawrence Cager and Jeff Smith played well in the preseason, especially that last game, but you cannot keep everybody. They both are practice squad candidates if they clear waivers.

Tight End (4)

Starters: Tyler Kroft, Chris Herndon

Backups: Kenny Yeboah, Trevon Wesco

Cut: Ryan Griffin, Daniel Brown

The Jets tight ends are easily the weakest positional group on offense. Tyler Kroft is a very good blocker, especially in pass protection. He is a veteran and has looked okay as a pass catching option. He played well in the second preseason game where he had two touchdowns. Chris Herndon before training camp looked like he could be a surprise cut, but he stepped it up once the pads went on. Herndon looked good in camp and had an excellent block that opened up one of Kroft’s touchdowns. Now Chris Herndon is also a player in the final year of his rookie contract, and he has looked like a bust since his rookie year, so he is another possible trade option, but for now he makes the team.

Out of all the Jets tight ends, none have as much potential as 2021 UDFA Kenny Yeboah. Yeboah had 524 yards & six tochdowns in just 8 games last season for Ole Miss. He was second on the team in receiving, only behind Elijah Moore. Now he is a tight end, but he moves like a wide receiver. Once the ball is in his hands, if he has open field he can take off, and he also is much more elusive than most tight ends. He really is a wide receiver with a tight end body. This is why I have comped him to Jonnu Smith, another wide receiver with a tight end body that myself and many wanted this past free agency. Yeboah had a great third preseason game where he had 100 yards and two touchdowns including the game tieing Hail Mary. With all of this plus no one else having much long term potential in this tight end room, I would be surprised if Kenny Yeboah didn’t earn himself a spot on this 53 man roster.

Trevon Wesco is the fullback, as well as another blocking tight end who has also proven like Kroft to be an okay pass catching option.

Offensive Line (8)

Starters: Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, George Fant (surprise!)

Backups: Morgan Moses, Dan Feeney, Jimmy Murray

IR: Conor McDermott, Cameron Clark

Cut: Grant Hermanns, Corey Levin, David Moore, Isaiah Williams, Chuma Edoga

Four of the five starters along the offensive line are set. I was incredibly excited and happy when we signed Morgan Moses. I was talking about how great he was, especially in 2020, how he has dominated elite edge rushers in the past like TJ Watt, and more. However, to mine and many’s surprise, Robert Saleh announced it was going to be an open competition between George Fant and Morgan Moses. I thought this was just to not insult Fant, but it was a completely equal competition. What has blown me away though is Morgan Moses struggled in the second and third preseason game, and struggled in camp as well. He was getting beaten a lot, especially in the joint practices. While Morgan Moses looked not to good at right tackle in the third preseason game, George Fant looked surprisingly look at left tackle in Mekhi Becton’s stead. Therefore, and I am surprising myself by doing this, I am giving the starting right tackle job to George Fant. He was given the opportunity to keep his job, and I believe he did. Moses will be great depth as well as a swing tackle. He is an excellent replacement if needed at both guard and tackle positions barring injury.

Mekhi Becton is going to be fine. The reason he has been in and out of camp and the preseason is they want to make sure he is healthy and ready to go for the regular season. I would have Conor McDermott as a backup but with the injury he sustained and being carted off week 2 he is most likely destined to land on IR. Dan Feeney has been pretty bad but when compared to the other options we have as backups he is the best option. I was torn between Corey Levin and Jimmy Murray as the last OL to make the 53. I gave it to Murray cause he impressed me some in that third preseason game. Chuma Edoga’s time with the Jets is most likely over. When Cameron Clark is healthy he could take Jimmy Murray’s roster spot.

Defensive Line (8)

Starting edge: John Franklin-Myers, Bryce Huff

Backup edge: Shaq Lawson, Ronald Blair

Starting interior: Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, Foley Fatukasi

Backup interior: Jonathan Marshall

IR: Carl Lawson, Kyle Phillips, Vinny Curry

Cut: Hamilcar Rashed Jr, Aaron Adeoye, Nathan Shepherd, Tanzel Smart, Jeremiah Valoaga, Jabari Zuniga

This is a tough group to narrow down. If the Jets only keep 4 edge rushers, Hamilcar Rashed Jr is cut. I hope he clears waivers to join the practice squad because there is potential there. If they keep 5, he could be the fifth. Same with defensive interior. If the Jets choose to keep another interior DL and cut someone somewhere else, that last interior spot would go to either Nathan Shepherd or Tanzel Smart. Don’t be surprised if in that instance Smart beats out Shepherd. He’s had a good camp and preseason.

In my earlier article from today, I talked all about Shaq Lawson who the Jets just traded for. See the article to learn more about Lawson and why he really isn’t the answer. This is why I give the start to Bryce Huff who has flashed some and unlike Lawson, thrives with his hand in the dirt. John Franklin-Myers is set. Lawson will be battling Huff for the other end spot.

Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, and Foley Fatukasi are a MASSIVELY under appreciated interior. Quinnen Williams is one of the best defensive interior lineman in the league, Rankins has flashed a lot in the past but never lived up to his high draft status. Now’s his chance. Foley Fatukasi is one of the better run stoppers in the league and he is also young as well is starting to develop as a pass rusher. Massively under appreciated interior.

Jonathan Marshall, the 207th overall pick from this last draft, has looked good surprisingly fast. In his first game he had a sack and the game winning safety. He has looked quite good getting into the backfield and providing pressure. This is why he makes the 53 over guys who have been around in Nathan Shepherd and Tanzel Smart.

Jabari Zuniga has barely made any noise all camp and preseason, and when you factor in how badly we need edge rushers to step up, that is not good. He was one of the only picks I wasn’t a fan of last season, and it’s showing why. Even though he was a third round pick last year, as I said earlier, best players should always play. Regardless of money or draft stock or whatever, so Zuniga is gone.

Now I brought up before that any player in the final year of their deal not in future plans could potentially be traded if a good enough deal presents itself. That applies to Nathan Shepherd, though I do not think much can be gotten for him. More interestingly though, it also applies to Foley Fatukasi. Now I love Foley and don’t want to see him go, but let’s say Douglas views Rankins as the guy to mainly start next to Quinnen, and likes the potential of someone like Jonathan Marshall. Fatukasi is one of the better run stuffers in the league and young. He could potentially net a decent pick to a team needing of interior DL. Maybe he could net a 2nd. He is very talented, an up and coming star, and Joe Douglas is a master when it comes to trades. Now I am not saying this is going to happen, in fact it is probably unlikely. Foley could be in Douglas’ future plans, but it is something to think about.

Linebackers (5)

Starters: CJ Mosley, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Jamien Sherwood

Backups: Blake Cashman, Noah Dawkins

IR: Jarrad Davis

Cut: Camilo Eifler, Del’Shawn Phillips

Hamsah Nasirildeen was the biggest steal of this last draft. Read all about him and why here. Jamien Sherwood is a monster hitter, and a good tackler. All three of our linebacker starters are fast, agile, good in coverage, and hybrid players. I was worried if Mosley was back to where he was before injury, and it appears he’s come back even better. He’s lighter and faster than before. I was a fan of both the rookie linebackers we took in this last draft, especially Nasirildeen. With Mosley good to go, this is a linebacker group where all three have the speed and agility to play the entire field, good in coverage, as well are strong hitters and good at playing at the LOS and getting into the backfield. Jarrad Davis is out until around week 6. If Sherwood and Nasirildeen really shine, he may not even be a starter when he returns.

Blake Cashman would be an excellent linebacker in our new system if he could only stay healthy. He had a good camp and preseason where he was all over the ball every time he was in. He has never played a full season ever, even in college, so again health with him is the biggest concern. There needs to be depth at LB and the Jets really don’t have any, especially with Davis out. The coaching staff and Robert Saleh appear to be high on Noah Dawkins, so I give him the last linebacker spot until Davis returns.

Cornerback (8)

Starters: Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols, Javelin Guidry

Backups: Bless Austin, Michael Carter II, Lamar Jackson, Jason Pinnock, Justin Hardee

Cut: Elijah Campbell, Isaiah Dunn

Bryce Hall is CB1, and for those unaware yet, it’s gonna be Bryce Hall lockdown season. Get ready! Brandin Echols has shined since earning the right to run with the 1’s at outside cornerback. He is only 5’10” but runs a 4.34 40 and jumps a 42.5″ vertical. That is a damn impressive vertical for his height and means he can run or jump with anybody. He has gotten banged up a few times during camp and preseason which is a little alarming but he was always okay and has looked very good. Same with Javelin Guidry and Michael Carter II. As I’ve been saying for a while now, we are much better off at slot cornerback than most realize. It’s actually one of the strengths of our team.

I give the CB2 spot to Echols over Austin cause Austin has only looked okay while Echols is a rookie with much more speed and he has looked very good. Lamar Jackson has been up and down while Jason Pinnock has mostly been down but I still believe that those two guys have potential as outside cornerbacks. Isaiah Dunn looked very intriguing in camp as CB2 but in the preseason he has been very bad. Justin Hardee is our special teams gunner. He’s not playing cornerback, but he’s also not getting cut.

Safety (3)

Starters: Lamarcus Joyner, Marcus Maye

Backups: JT Hassell

IR: Ashtyn Davis

Cut: Bennett Jackson, Sharrod Neasman

PFF showed us that when Lamarcus Joyner exclusively played safety he had a career grade of 90.1. The Jets confirmed that Joyner will be playing safety, which is very exciting as him and Marcus Made could be that elite safety dup we hoped Mate and Jamal Adams could be. Ashtyn Davis still has a lot of potential. He is a track star with great speed but also showed last year when he took Cam Newton temporarily out, he is a big hitter and plays the box well. JT Hassell had a great camp and preseason and has become a favorite of Robert Saleh. With Davis out, he’s an easy pick over Jackson or Neasman.

Special Teams (3)

Kicker: Matt Ammendola

Punter: Braden Mann

Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessy

No one to cut here. Ammendola has one of the strongest legs in the league, and might be the most jacked kicker in the league. He went 4 for 4 in field goals this preseason with his longest kick being 54 yards and also went 5 for 5 on extra points. It’s still early, but it looks like we may have finally found a kicker.