The Jets’ roster has endured a good amount of turnover throughout the last couple of days.
On Saturday, linebacker C.J. Mosley opted out of the 2020 season because of family health-related COVID-19 concerns. Sunday brought about the release of veteran offensive lineman Brian Winters, while wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, running back Trenton Cannon, offensive lineman Ben Braden and outside linebacker Wyatt Ray were shown the door on Monday.
New York’s recent string of transactions not only shake up the depth chart, but also change the outlook of who breaks training camp with the team. With that being said, let’s get into Jets Wire’s latest crack at predicting Gang Green’s 53-man roster.
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 | Predictions 2.0 – The Jamal Adams trade
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backups: David Fales, James Morgan
Cut: Mike White
Nothing new to see here, as the makeup of the Jets’ quarterback room entering the regular season is essentially set in stone. Joe Flacco, remember, won’t be ready for the start of the season. The only question surrounding the group at this point is who could wind up as New York’s designated “quarantine quarterback.”
Running Back (3)
Starter: Le’Veon Bell
Backups: Frank Gore, La’Mical Perine
Cuts: Josh Adams, Kenneth Dixon
New York’s running back room is down to five following Trenton Cannon’s release. That does not change much for Josh Adams or Kenneth Dixon, though, as the Jets remain likely to carry only three running backs to begin 2020.
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
Braxton Berrios’ chances of making the 53-man roster improve following Trenton Cannon’s release, as he now has one less return man to compete against in training camp. Other than that and the release of Quincy Enunwa, who was already out for the season, there are no new major developments out of New York’s wide receiver room.
Unless the Jets add another wideout between now and the beginning of the regular season, this is the group they will likely break camp with.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Chris Herndon
Backups: Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco
Cuts: Daniel Brown, Ross Travis
Ryan Griffin is on the Active/PUP list to begin training camp as he continues to recover from offseason ankle surgery, which is big news for Chris Herndon.
Griffin’s placement on the PUP list was expected, but it opens a door for Herndon to seize the starting job in training camp nonetheless. As long as he stays healthy and flashes an ounce of the talent he displayed as a rookie, Herndon has a very good chance of opening 2020 atop New York’s tight end depth chart.
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: Corbin Kaufusi, Brad Lundblade, James Murray, Jared Hilbers
Jets Wire had been predicting Brian Winters’ release prior to the weekend, so there is not much of a shake-up to the offensive line projections.
Ben Braden was not projected to make the team. Leo Koloamatangi, who opted out of the 2020 season, was also a projected cut.
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 was released last week, but that does not result in any changes to Jets Wire’s defensive line projections. Continue to keep an eye on Quinnen Williams’ status as training camp progresses, though. There still could be a spot up for grabs in the event of a suspension.
Linebackers (9)
Starters: Jordan Jenkins, Avery Williamson, Patrick Onwuasor, Tarrell Basham
Backups: Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt, James Burgess, Jabari Zuniga, Frankie Luvu
Cuts: B.J. Bello, Ahmad Gooden, Harvey Langi, Bryce Huff
C.J. Mosley’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 season changes the entire dynamic of New York’s inside linebacker depth chart. Avery Williamson goes from a likely cut to the favorite to open Week 1 as the starting MIKE linebacker, which is an unprecedented leap for a player who was seemingly on the verge of being handed a pink slip.
Jets Wire is also now projecting that New York will carry James Burgess, who was previously listed as a cut, as an extra inside linebacker to begin 2020. This allows defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to get creative with his linebacker rotation and have a fresh body on the field at all times. It also provides the Jets with a backup plan for Patrick Onwuasor in the event that he struggles, as he did with the Ravens last season.
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
Bryce Hall is not in danger of being cut, but his placement on the COVID-19 reserve list to begin training camp hurts his chances of cracking the starting lineup to begin the regular season.
Other than that, there’s not much new doing with New York’s cornerback room. Once the competition heats up in training camp, that is bound to change in some capacity.
Safety (4)
Starters: Marcus Maye, Bradley McDougald
Backups: Ashtyn Davis, Matthias Farley
Cuts: Bennett Jackson, Anthony Cioffi
Jets Wire’s latest 53-man roster projection does not feature any sort of change at safety.
Barring an injury or Bennett Jackson beating out Matthias Farley for the final backup spot, this group is all but a lock to complete New York’s safety depth chart entering the regular season.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Brett Maher
Punter: Braden Mann
Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessey
Cuts: Sam Ficken
Unless the Jets decide to add another kicker or Sam Ficken steals the show in training camp, Brett Maher is still viewed as the favorite to win the job. Braden Mann and Thomas Hennessey are locked in at their respective positions.
