Throughout the offseason, the Jets have done well to upgrade their roster through free agency. With two blockbuster signings in running back Le’Veon Bell and linebacker C.J. Mosley, and a handful of other depth signings, New York is primed to take the next step in 2019.
Now, with the 2019 NFL draft in the books, the Jets have added an influx of young talent into the mix. Here’s our best guess at how the team’s depth chart looks heading into offseason workouts.
Quarterback (4)
Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian, Davis Webb, Brandon Silvers
With three quarterbacks already on the roster, New York did not address the position in the draft.
Darnold is entrenched under center as the starter, while Siemian is a solid veteran backup. Webb will learn from those two in his second year with the Jets, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him relegated to the practice squad once the regular season kicks off, as it’s unlikely New York carries two quarterbacks on its active roster.
Silvers, a starter with the Memphis Express in the AAF, will serve as an additional body at the position in training camp.
Running Backs (7)
Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon, De’Angelo Henderson, Valentine Holmes, Jalin Moore
As was the case at quarterback, the Jets did not add a running back in the draft. However, they did sign an undrafted free agent at the position in Appalachian State tailback Jalin Moore.
Bell will take the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield, while Montgomery, McGuire and Cannon will factor into New York’s offensive plans as well. For Henderson and Holmes, making the team out of training camp will be an uphill battle.
Wide Receiver (13)
Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder, Deontay Burnett, Charone Peake, Josh Bellamy, Stacy Coley, Quadree Henderson, J.J. Jones, Tim White, De’Angelo Yancey, Greg Dortch, Jeff Smith
The Jets had a need at wide receiver entering the draft, but elected to address other positions of need. However, New York did add two undrafted free agents at the position, one of which has serious staying power.
At Wake Forest, Greg Dortch was one of the most electric players in all of college football. Whenever the ball was in his hands, opposing defenses had a tough time bringing him down. Dortch was also one of the premier return men in the FBS, which bodes well for his chances of sticking with the Jets.
Boston College undrafted free agent Jeff Smith has a similar skill set, but Dortch’s is more refined. It’ll be interesting to see if Dortch does enough throughout the offseason to stand out among a crowded wide receiver corps.
Tight End (6)
Chris Herndon, Neal Sterling, Eric Tomlinson, Trevon Wesco, Jordan Leggett, Daniel Brown
New York’s tight end room has a new member, as the Jets selected West Virginia’s Trevon Wesco in the fourth-round.
Wesco has a high ceiling both as a blocking tight end and in the passing game. With this, he will likely supplant Eric Tomlinson and others on the depth chart in due time. It’s tough to predict what the rookie will bring to the table in 2019, but Wesco figures to factor into New York’s offensive gameplan once he gets settled in.
Offensive Line (14)
Kelvin Beachum, Kelechi Osemele, Jonotthan Harrison, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell, Brent Qvale, Tom Compton, Chuma Edoga, Ben Braden, Jordan Morgan, Jon Toth, Wyatt Miller, Toa Lobendahn, Tyler Jones
In the third round, the Jets selected what figures to be Kelvin Beachum’s eventual replacement in USC offensive tackle Chuma Edoga. New York also added three undrafted free agents at the position in UCF’s Wyatt Miller, USC’s Toa Lobendahn and NC State’s Tyler Jones.
Miller has staying power, while Lobendahn and Jones will have to fight hard throughout the offseason to stick around.
Defensive Line (15)
Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Steve McLendon, Nathan Shepherd, Foley Fatukasi, Tarell Basham, Bronson Kaufusi, Charles Tapper, Trevon Sanders, Justin Alexandre, Jabril Frazier, Fred Jones, Kyle Phillips, MyQuon Scout
With the No. 3 overall pick, the Jets went big and selected Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who some consider being the best player in the 2019 draft class.
The addition of Williams gives New York’s defensive line the potential to ascend to new heights in 2019. Leonard Williams will no longer be showered with constant double teams, while Henry Anderson impressed throughout 2018 and is primed to produce similarly next season.
The Jets also added six undrafted free agents along the defensive line in Troy’s Trevon Sanders, UIW’s Justin Alexandre, Florida State’s Fred Jones, Boise State’s Jabrin Frazier, Tennessee’s Kyle Phillips and Appalachian State’s MyQuon Scout.
Linebacker (13)
C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, Jachai Polite, Jordan Jenkins, Brandon Copeland, Darron Lee, Frankie Luvu, Neville Hewitt, Anthony Wint, Harvey Langi, Blake Cashman, Jamey Mosley, Jeff Allison
Despite C.J. Mosley and Avery Williamson manning New York’s two inside linebacker spots, the Jets added to their linebacker corps on Days 2 and 3 of the draft with the selections of Florida’s Jachai Polite and Minnesota’s Blake Cashman.
If he stays healthy, Cashman has the potential to become a nice depth piece for the Jets. He won’t have much of a chance at playing time early on, but will compete for a role on special teams. Polite, meanwhile, possesses first-round talent but fell in the draft due to character concerns. The Jets are gambling on him being their pass-rusher of the future.
Undrafted free agents Jamey Mosley, brother of C.J. Mosley, and Fresno State’s Jeff Allison join Cashman as new arrivals in New York’s linebacker.
Defensive Backs (18)
Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Trumaine Johnson, Brian Poole, Darryl Roberts, Parry Nickerson, Rashard Robinson, Derrick Jones, Jeremy Clark, Rontez Miles, Doug Middleton, Blessuan Austin Arthur Maulet, Tevaughn Campbell, Brandon Bryant, John Battle, Santos Ramirez, Kyron Brown
With no true No. 2 corner on the roster, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Jets would select a corner or two in the draft. However, general manager Mike Maccagnan opted to address other needs until he took a flyer on oft-injured Rutgers CB Blessuan Austin in the sixth round.
After the draft, Maccagnan added undrafted free agent defensive backs to the mix, signing LSU’s John Battle, Arkansas’s Santos Ramirez and Akron’s Kyron Brown.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker: Chandler Catanzaro
Punter: Lachlan Edwards
Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessey
