With the Hall of Fame Game in the books and the Jets now set to meet the Carolina Panthers, we’ve now gotten our first look at the Jets’ roster in a game situation. The nice thing for the Jets is they still have three more preseason games to evaluate the roster. Remember too that there no longer are multiple cuts during the preseason — i.e. 90 to 85, 85 to 80, 80 to 53. There is just one cutdown, from 90 to 53, that is due August 29.
After one preseason game and leading into the second one, let’s take another shot at predicting the 53-man roster for the Jets at the end of the preseason.
Quarterback
- Aaron Rodgers
- Zach Wilson
- Tim Boyle
This looks pretty set now that the Jets waived/injured Chris Streveler and haven’t added another quarterback. With the new rule involving the third quarterback, the Jets can easily carry three quarterbacks, so it will be Rodgers, Wilson and Boyle going forward.
Running Back
- Breece Hall
- Michael Carter
- Zonovan Knight
- Israel Abanikanda
- Nick Bawden (FB)
Israel Abanikanda showed flashed in the Hall of Fame Game and will give the Jets a nice fourth option who could see a few snaps a game. The Jets have also been getting Bawden involved quite a bit during camp. We should see a little more of Carter and Knight against the Panthers.
Wide Receiver
- Garrett Wilson
- Allen Lazard
- Corey Davis
- Mecole Hardman
- Randall Cobb
- Jason Brownlee
No changes at the wide receiver position, but keep an eye on Malik Taylor. He had that nice deep catch against the Browns and had another good week of practice by many accounts. He is starting to push Brownlee for the No. 6 spot, assuming the Jets keep six receivers.
Tight End
- Tyler Conklin
- C.J. Uzomah
- Jeremy Ruckert
None of the top three tight ends played in Canton, which should be viewed as a positive, especially for Ruckert, whom the Jets are very high on. And with Bawden in the mix at fullback, the Jets may only need to keep three tight ends this year. Rookie Zack Kuntz would be a strong practice squad candidate.
Offensive Line
- Duane Brown
- Laken Tomlinson
- Connor McGovern
- Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Max Mitchell
- Billy Turner
- Wes Schweitzer
- Joe Tippmann
- Carter Warren
This projection also is under the thought that the Jets trade Mekhi Becton.
Offensive tackle is becoming a question mark for the Jets, with the possibility now open that Alijah Vera-Tucker moves to tackle. That could mean Wes Schweitzer potentially becomes a starter at right guard. Turner, Mitchell and Becton could all use a good showing against the Panthers.
Defensive Line
- Carl Lawson
- Quinnen Williams
- Al Woods
- John Franklin-Myers
- Jermaine Johnson
- Quinton Jefferson
- Solomon Thomas
- Micheal Clemons
- Will McDonald IV
- Bryce Huff
There shouldn’t be any surprises here. The Jets are loaded up front and will have six options on the edge to rotate and rush the passer. Plus, Franklin-Myers and Clemons can both kick inside if needed.
Linebacker
- C.J. Mosley
- Quincy Williams
- Jamien Sherwood
- Zaire Barnes
The depth at linebacker will be a question for the Jets, but Barnes and Chazz Surratt are trying to show they can be solid backups behind the top three. If the Jets only keep four, those two are in a heated battle. The slight edge right now goes to Barnes, but this could go either way.
Cornerback
- Sauce Gardner
- D.J. Reed
- Michael Carter II
- Bryce Hall
- Justin Hardee
- Brandin Echols (suspended Week 1)
Breaking news: Sauce Gardner will make the roster.
In all seriousness, cornerback looks pretty set for the Jets, but it will be interesting to see what roster move the Jets make when Echols can come back for Week 2. Remember, he won’t count against the 53 for Week 1 while suspended.
Safety
- Jordan Whitehead
- Tony Adams
- Adrian Amos
- Ashtyn Davis
- Jarrick Bernard-Converse
It’s becoming clearer that Adams has jumped Amos in the pecking order and will start Week 1, though don’t be surprised to see three-safety packages. Davis is a core special-teamer, so he might actually stick around after all and the Jets love the versatility of Bernard-Converse despite the fact he has yet to practice during camp.
Specialists
The improvement at punter was immediately seen during the Hall of Fame Game. The Jets are feeling very comfortable at all three positions here.
