Training camp at One Jets Drive is over. Now, it’s time for Joe Douglas and Adam Gase to make some tough decisions regarding New York’s 53-man roster ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
Final cut day is never easy for coaches, general managers and players alike. Coaches and GMs are forced to part ways with players they would have preferred to keep because of the numbers game, while bubble players sweat out the day, hoping they will not receive a phone call from anyone in the organization.
It was a training camp unlike any other because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Jets have put in enough work on the practice field to be ready for Week 1. With that being said, here is Jets Wire’s final crack at predicting who will be on New York’s roster to begin the 2020 season.
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 | Predictions 3.0 – C.J. Mosley’s opt-out | Predictions 4.0 – Practice Begins — and so do the injuries | Predictions 5.0 – Some clarity, new additions and more injuries
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Sam Darnold
Backups: David Fales, James Morgan
Cut: Mike White
The Jets have yet to make a decision on Joe Flacco’s status for Week 1, but he will likely begin the season on the PUP list. That leaves the door open for David Fales to claim his roster spot as New York’s No. 2 quarterback.
Joe Douglas wouldn’t risk cutting James Morgan and losing him on waivers after drafting him in April, which makes him a roster lock. Carrying three quarterbacks is not common in today’s NFL, but New York doesn’t have much of a choice in this situation.
Running Back (3)
Starter: Le’Veon Bell
Backups: Frank Gore, La’Mical Perine
Cuts: Josh Adams
Josh Adams has probably done enough to make the Jets’ 53-man roster, but with La’Mical Perine’s ankle injury not being deemed a long-term issue, it is tough to see where he fits in New York’s running back room.
Assuming Perine is indeed ready to go for Week 1, it is highly unlikely that the Jets will begin the regular season with four running backs. That leaves Adams on the outside looking in.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims
Backups: Chris Hogan, Braxton Berrios, Donte Moncrief
Cuts: Jehu Chesson, Josh Malone, Jeff Smith, Lawrence Cager, George Campbell, D.J. Montgomery
The Jets have four sure things at wide receiver right now: Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims and Chris Hogan. Braxton Berrios figures to make the team considering the praise Adam Gase has offered throughout training camp. That leaves one spot up for grabs, but Donte Moncrief likely has the upper hand over New York’s stable of undrafted free agent wideouts.
Moncrief will have to sweat out cut day, but Jets Wire is predicting he makes the Jets’ 53-man roster.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Chris Herndon
Backups: Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco
Cuts: Daniel Brown, Bronson Kaufusi, Ross Travis
Jets Wire isn’t predicting any surprises at tight end. This unit is pretty much set in stone, as Chris Herndon, Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco are all primed for impactful 2020 campaigns.
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
No shakeups are expected on the Jets’ offensive line on cut day. New York could opt to cut Conor McDermott and roll with nine offensive linemen, but that is highly unlikely.
Defensive Line (6)
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Steve McLendon, Henry Anderson
Backups: Kyle Phillips, Nathan Shepherd, Foley Fatukasi
Cuts: Jordan Willis, John Franklin-Myers, Sterling Johnson
There have been whispers that John Franklin-Myers has done enough to overtake Kyle Phillips or Nathan Shepherd for a roster spot, but Jets Wire does not foresee that happening. New York’s defensive line seems set across the depth chart entering the regular season.
Of course, there could be an opening in the not too distant future if Quinnen Williams is suspended.
Linebackers (8)
Starters: Jordan Jenkins, Avery Williamson, Blake Cashman, Tarell Basham
Backups: Neville Hewitt, James Burgess, Jabari Zuniga, Frankie Luvu
Cuts: Harvey Langi, Bryce Huff
Patrick Onwuasor is out 4-5 weeks with an injury, but fortunately, the Jets are deep enough at linebacker to absorb his month-long absence. Jordan Jenkins and Tarell Basham will start on the outside, while Avery Williamson and Blake Cashman make up New York’s inside linebacker duo.
Cornerback (7)
Starters: Pierre Desir, Bless Austin, Brian Poole
Backups: Nate Hairston, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson, Javelin Guidry
Cuts: Lamar Jackson, Shyheim Carter, Zane Carter
Bryce Hall is likely to begin 2020 on injured reserve as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered in his senior year at Virginia. That opens the door for Javelin Guidry to make New York’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent.
Nate Hairston has also done enough in training camp to earn his spot after Jets Wire predicted throughout the last month that he would not break camp with the team.
Safety (4)
Starters: Marcus Maye, Bradley McDougald
Backups: Ashtyn Davis, Bennett Jackson
Cuts: Matthias Farley
Matthias Farley seemed like a safe bet to make the Jets’ 53-man roster entering training camp, but an injury cost him most of August and, in Jets Wire’s eyes, allowed Bennett Jackson to show enough to seize New York’s final backup safety spot.
Specialists (3)
Kicker: Sam Ficken
Punter: Braden Mann
Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessy
Sam Ficken did enough to beat Brett Maher for the kicking job. New York’s kicking game is far from settled, though. Ficken will be watched closely at the beginning of the season and if he endures any sort of hiccup, don’t be surprised to see Joe Douglas bring in competition to usurp him.
