As the dust settles after the first week of the new league year, the Jets roster has begun to take shape.
The Jets brought in seven new pieces and re-signed five players from the 2018 season. As it stands on March 18, New York has around $45.8 million in cap space.
With the exception of linebacker, running back, guard and kicker, the Jets roster looks very similar to how it looked at the end of the 2018 season. New York used free agency to shore up some of the weaker positions, but plenty of holes remain that need to be filled. That could all change in the draft, where the Jets have the No. 3 overall pick and five over selections.
Here’s how the Jets roster looks following the first week of free agency.
Quarterback
2: Sam Darnold, Davis Webb
Darnold is the unquestioned starter as he enters his second season in the NFL. Josh McCown remains undecided on his playing future and the Jets haven’t looked at any other true back-ups to Darnold. For now, Davis Webb is the Jets’ second quarterback, but it wouldn’t be surprising for the team to bring in a more experienced player to sit behind Darnold.
Running back
4: Le’Veon Bell, Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon, De’Angelo Henderson
Signing Bell gives the Jets their first star at running back since Curtis Martin, and Bell immediately becomes the focal point of the offense. After a year in self-exile, Bell will look to re-prove himself as one of the best running backs in the league and should be a true three-down back for the Jets.
McGuire, Cannon and Henderson all return, though Henderson will most likely be cut at some point this offseason. McGuire proved somewhat capable in an expanded role in 2018, while Cannon pegs to be more of a return specialist in his second season.
Wide receiver
11: Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder, Josh Bellamy, Charone Peake, Deontay Burnett, Tim White, J.J. Jones, Stacey Coley, DeAngelo Yancy
The wide receiving corps hasn’t changed much since 2018. Anderson and Enunwa return as Darnold’s top-two options, but the addition of Crowder gives New York a true threat in the slot.
Anderson and Enunwa will continue to get looks on the outside, but Crowder should be a staple in an Adam Gase offense that loves throwing to the slot. Josh Bellamy is serviceable as a fourth wide receiver but will see more time on special teams.
The rest, save for Peake and Burnett, won’t be a part of the Jets’ 2019 offense.
Tight end
2: Chris Herndon, Jordan Leggett
The Jets didn’t bring in any new tight ends, so Herndon steps in as the best of the bunch after a solid rookie campaign. He’ll be another weapon for Darnold to utilize, especially in the red zone.
Leggett also returns. It looks like the Jets could give him one more summer to prove he can play before cutting him loose.
Offensive line
11: Kelechi Osemele, Kelvin Beachum, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell, Jonotthan Harrison, Jon Toth, Ben Braden, Jordan Morgan, Eric Smith, Dieugot Joseph
Osemele is the only new addition to the offensive line group, and he’s a significant upgrade at left guard over James Carpenter. Beachum gets to block for Bell again after three seasons in Pittsburgh together. Brandon Shell should keep his right tackle position unless he doesn’t recover from the knee injury he suffered in Week 15.
Harrison is the only center on the team with any player experience at the position, so he’s in line to start unless the Jets find a replacement in free agency or the draft.
Defensive line
8: Leonard Williams, Henry Anderson, Steve McLendon, Nathan Shepherd, Folorunso Fatukasi, Bronson Kaufusi, Charles Tapper
The defensive line looks almost identical to 2018. Anderson and McLendon are back again, with both poised to keep their starting jobs alongside Williams.
That said, look for the Jets to add a veteran pass rusher in free agency and/or a star talent in the draft.
Linebacker
9: C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, Darron Lee, Jordan Jenkins, Frankie Luvu, Neville Hewitt, Tarell Basham, Anthony Wint, Harvey Langi
Mosley injects some much-needed experience, star power and leadership into the Jets linebacker corps and he immediately becomes the best player of this position group. Williams, Jenkins and Lee will fill out the rest of the unit once again, with Luvu and Hewitt filling in as needed.
The Jets once again failed to secure a pass rusher in free agency, so there’s a chance the team drafts one with the No. 3 overall pick.
Cornerback
8: Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole, Parry Nickerson, Rashard Robinson, Tevaughn Campbell, Derrick Jones, Arthur Maulet
Johnson obviously remains as the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback despite a disappointing first season in New York. Hopefully, he finds new life in Williams’ defense. The team’s decision not to bring back Morris Claiborne means Roberts becomes the No. 2 cornerback across from Johnson, which isn’t all that encouraging.
The Jets brought in Poole to be their slot cornerback, replacing Buster Skrine. He’s a solid player who fits nicely into what Gregg Williams likes in his cornerbacks. Nickerson will fill in as needed, as would Robinson.
Safety
5: Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Brandon Bryant, Doug Middleton, Jeremy Clark
Adams and Maye will continue to start at safety for the Jets; it will be their first season together with a new defensive coordinator. The young duo enters their third season together and will need to take the next step.
Adams’ sophomore season ended with a Pro Bowl selection, and he’ll look to continue to improve his game to become one of the best safeties in the league.
As for Maye, hopefully his injuries from 2018 won’t bleed into the 2019 season, as the Jets’ depth at safety isn’t ideal. Darryl Roberts – who played for Maye at safety – will be seeing a lot more time at cornerback.
Special teams
3: Chandler Catanzaro, Lachlan Edwards, Thomas Hennessy
The Jets decided not to retain Jason Myers and instead turned to former Jet Catanzaro as the team’s 2019 kicker. Catanzaro had a horrible year with the Buccaneers but finished strong with the Panthers in 2018.
Punter Lachlan Edwards and long snapper Thomas Hennessy are back for another go with the Jets. With Andre Roberts in Buffalo, Trenton Cannon and/or Jamison Crowder will handle returns.
