Training camp is about to begin in Florham Park.
Now is the time for Jets players on the bubble to impress. Before long, Adam Gase and Joe Douglas will work together to narrow the roster down to 53, so no opportunities can be wasted.
Here, Jets Wire will take a stab at predicting what Gang Green’s active roster will look like when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Here is version 3.0 of our roster prediction series.
Quarterbacks (2)
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backup: Trevon Siemian
The Jets seem set with Darnold and Siemian at quarterback, but Davis Webb could fight for a job.
The California product took reps with the second-team throughout the spring. Whether or not that was planned to allow him to gain more experience working in Adam Gase’s offense remains to be seen, but it’s a situation worth monitoring throughout camp.
Luke Falk spent last season with the Miami Dolphins and is familiar with Gase, but he’s odds are beyond slim.
Running Back (4)
Starter: Le’Veon Bell
Backups: Ty Montgomery, Elijah McGuire, Bilal Powell
With De’Angelo Henderson gone, Trenton Cannon seems like the next odd man out in just his second year with New York.
Powell is a more established runner and pass-catcher and Cannon was inconsistent in both roles as a rookie. A Mike Maccagnan selection, he also disappointed on special teams.
Wide Receivers (6)
Starter(s): Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder
Backups: Josh Bellamy, Deontay Burnett, Greg Dortch
Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder will be Sam Darnold’s top targets. But what about the depth behind them?
Deontay Burnett came on strong toward the end of last season and has both potential and a rapport with Darnold. Undrafted free agent Greg Dortch, meanwhile, has electric speed; Jets Wire predicts he will make the team over Charone Peake thanks to his potential on special teams.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Ryan Griffin
Backup: Trevon Wesco, Eric Tomlinson
With Chris Herndon suspended, the Jets brought in former Texans TE Ryan Griffin for some pass-catching experience.
Griffin can be a solid red-zone target for Darnold while Herndon is out and will take some of the pressure off of rookie Trevon Wesco. He and Eric Tomlinson are more established as blockers, so the Jets are hoping Griffin can hold things down until Herndon returns.
*Chris Herndon suspended 4 games
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: Kelvin Beachum, Kelechi Osemele, Jonotthan Harrison, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell
Backups: Brent Qvale, Chuma Edoga, Tom Compton, Jon Toth
The above names are the most likely to make the team, but the ones below could seriously challenge for a roster spot in training camp.
UDFAs Tyler Jones and Wyatt Miller could give veteran Brent Qvale a run for his money.
Jon Toth, meanwhile, is also unlikely to make the team. However, as stated in our previous roster prediction, he is currently the only player on the roster who can play center in the event of an injury to Jonotthan Harrison, the starter. Joe Douglas will likely address the position before Week 1.
Defensive Linemen (6)
Starters: Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson
Backups: Steve McLendon, Nathan Shepherd, Foley Fatukasi
Barring any additions from Joe Douglas, this is the line the Jets will roll with entering the season.
The Jets have decent depth at the position, but they lack a bonafide pass rusher. Count on Douglas making a move or two in the trenches.
Linebacker (8)
Starters: C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, Jordan Jenkins, Brandon Copeland
Backups: Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt, Frankie Luvu, Jachai Polite
Darron Lee’s departure pretty much clears a path for fifth-round pick Blake Cashman and special teams contributor Neville Hewitt.
As things stands, Brandon Copeland holds down a starting outside linebacker spot. However, with a strong training camp, Jachai Polite can easily take that job from him.
Cornerback (7)
Starters: Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole
Backups: Parry Nickerson, Derrick Jones, Jeremy Clark, Montrel Meander
Poole has been placed on the NFI list, but no reason or timetable has been given yet. For now, we’ll slot him in as the starting nickel corner Week 1.
New York’s lack of a true No. 2 cornerback, meanwhile, remains an issue. The Jets seem fine with Darryl Roberts in that role, but Douglas will likely be in pursuit of cornerback talent outside the organization.
Safety (4)
Starters: Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye
Backups: Doug Middleton, Rontez Miles
Marcus Maye is on the PUP list, but Adam Gase is hopeful the safety will be ready to go Week 1.
There’s a chance the hard-hitting Santos Ramirez overtakes Rontez Miles on the roster, but Miles’ experience on special teams should ensure him a spot on the 53-man roster.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Chandler Catanzaro
Punter: Lachlan Edwards
Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessey
Adam Gase brought in Matt Darr to compete with Lachlan Edwards in camp, but odds are that move was made just to keep Edwards on his toes. With the progress Edwards has made the past two seasons, his job should be safe. The same goes for Thomas Hennessey at long snapper, who has no competition during training camp.
Assuming the Jets do not add another kicker into, the job is Chandler Catanzaro’s.
