The composition of the Jets’ 53-man roster just got a whole lot different now that Jamal Adams is no longer with the organization.
New York sent Adams and a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Seahawks in exchange for two first-round draft picks, a 2021 third-round pick and safety Bradley McDougald on Saturday. Adams’ departure had been in the works for a while, but there was still a chance he started the 2020 season with the Jets. Now, he will play his football on the West Coast while New York welcomes a new safety into the mix.
The Adams trade shakes up the dynamic of the Jets’ secondary and has Jets Wire’s latest roster prediction looking a bit different than the one that came out following the draft. With that being said, let’s get into Jets Wire’s latest crack at projecting New York’s 53-man roster with training camp getting started.
A reminder: italics signify new arrivals and/or changes from the previous prediction. You can click on previous predictions below as the summer progresses.
Predictions 1.0 – Post-NFL Draft |
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backups: David Fales, James Morgan
Cut: Mike White
With Joe Flacco on the shelf for the start of 2020, the Jets are likely to carry three quarterbacks to begin the regular season.
Fales is likely to serve as New York’s No. 2 quarterback, as the plan is to allow Morgan to watch and learn from the sideline as a rookie. Unless he surpasses all expectations in training camp, expect Morgan to remain Gang Green’s third-string quarterback for the duration of the season. Once Flacco is healthy, Fales will be the likely odd man out.
Running Back (4)
Starter: Le’Veon Bell
Backups: Frank Gore, La’Mical Perine
Cuts: Trenton Cannon, Josh Adams, Kenneth Dixon
The arrival of Frank Gore in New York’s backfield complicates matters for Trenton Cannon. The first three spots of the Jets’ running back depth chart are now occupied, meaning Cannon’s best chance to make the team comes as a special teamer.
Gore will factor heavily into New York’s rushing attack and Perine is not going anywhere. Vyncint Smith and Braxton Berrios are also the front runners to win the kick and punt returner jobs, respectively, leaving Cannon on the outside looking in at the start of camp.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder
Backups: Vyncint Smith, Josh Doctson, Braxton Berrios
Cuts: Jehu Chesson, Josh Malone, Jeff Smith, Lawrence Cager, George Campbell
With Josh Bellamy and Quincy Enunwa out for the season, Denzel Mims is locked in as a starter opposite Breshad Perriman. Braxton Berrios also goes from a projected cut to being part of the 53-man roster thanks to his special teams abilities. New York is likely to carry a minimum of six receivers.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Ryan Griffin
Backups: Chris Herndon, Trevon Wesco
Cuts: Daniel Brown, Ross Travis
New York’s tight end depth chart seems set right now. Chris Herndon has a chance to beat out Ryan Griffin for the starting job in training camp, but not having a preseason hurts his chances of doing so.
Trevon Wesco is entrenched as the No. 3 tight end thanks to his blocking abilities.
Offensive Line (10)
Starters: Mekhi Becton, Alex Lewis, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, George Fant
Backups: Jonotthan Harrison, Chuma Edoga, Josh Andrews, Cameron Clark, Conor McDermott
Cuts: Brian Winters, Ben Braden, Corbin Kaufusi, Leo Koloamatangi, Brad Lundblade, James Murray, Jared Hilbers
Nothing new to see here, as Brian Winters is still projected to become a salary cap casualty at some point this summer. Of all the names among the projected cuts right now, Jared Hilbers has the best chance to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. If he doesn’t win one, however, he will have a practice squad slot with his name penciled in.
Defensive Line (6)
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Steve McLendon, Henry Anderson
Backups: Kyle Phillips, Nathan Shepherd, Foley Fatukasi
Cuts: Jordan Willis, John Franklin-Myers, Bronson Kaufusi, Wyatt Ray, Sterling Johnson, Domenique Davis
New York’s defensive line rotation is pretty much set in stone, although there could be some possible intrigue on the horizon.
Quinnen Williams could be suspended to begin the season, which would temporarily open up a spot on the 53-man roster. If that happens, John Franklin-Myers is likely to slide into the rotation until Williams returns.
Linebackers (8)
Starters: Jordan Jenkins, C.J. Mosley, Patrick Onwuasor, Tarrell Basham
Backups: Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt, Jabari Zuniga, Frankie Luvu
Cuts: Avery Williamson, James Burgess, B.J. Bello, Ahmad Gooden, Harvey Langi, Bryce Huff
Avery Williamson seems more and more likely to become a salary cap casualty in training camp with each passing day, which lands him on the cuts list for the first time this offseason.
Neville Hewitt slides in as New York’s second backup inside linebacker, although James Burgess will push for the spot in camp.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Pierre Desir, Bless Austin, Brian Poole
Backups: Bryce Hall, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson
Cuts: Kyron Brown, Nate Hairston, Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry Jr., Shyheim Carter
New York seems set with Bless Austin, Pierre Desir and Brian Poole as its starting cornerbacks. The backups seem to be pretty set in stone as well unless Nate Hairston or Quincy Wilson go above and beyond in training camp.
Safety (4)
Starters: Marcus Maye, Bradley McDougald
Backups: Ashtyn Davis, Matthias Farley
Cuts: Bennett Jackson, Anthony Cioffi
Bradley McDougald is in as New York’s starting strong safety with Jamal Adams off to Seattle. Ashtyn Davis will likely see more of an increased role at safety with Adams gone, but McDougald will be the starter at the position entering 2020.
Matthias Farley now has the upper hand for the final backup safety spot, as Bennett Jackson was going to need a standout preseason to make the team.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Brett Maher
Punter: Braden Mann
Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessey
Cuts: Sam Ficken
Ian Berryman was released earlier this offseason, which means the Jets have the utmost confidence in Braden Mann’s ability to get the job done at punter as a rookie.
Brett Maher is still the favorite to win the kicking job in Jets Wire’s eyes.
