JETS

Projecting the NY Jets' 53-man roster before the preseason begins

Andy Vasquez
NorthJersey
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2018, file photo, New York Jets defensive linemen walk during practice in Florham Park, N.J. From left to right, Leonard Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, Henry Anderson and Steve McLendon.

The Jets get their preseason started on Friday night against the Falcons at MetLife Stadium.

There's still a long, long way to go before 4 p.m. on Sept. 1, when the Jets must reduce their roster from 90 to 53. The four preseason games will be the biggest part in determining who stays and who goes.

Before the preseason gets started, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at how the Jets roster might play out.

So here it is, our way-too-early 53-man roster projection. 

Quarterback (3) 

New York Jets' quarterback Sam Darnold participates during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Monday, July 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

In: Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold

Out: Nobody

Why: If Bridgewater has a great training camp and wins the job, the Jets are keeping all three quarterbacks. But even if he has a great camp and loses out to Darnold, we think the Jets will keep Bridgewater until the deadline to try and maximize his trade value.

Running back/fullback (5)

In: Bilal Powell, Isaiah Crowell, Trenton Cannon, Elijah McGuire (short-term IR), Lawrence Thomas (FB)

Out: George Atkinson, Thomas Rawls, Dimitri Flowers

Why: McGuire technically needs to be on the Day One 53-man roster to go on injured reserve and later come back via the short-term designation. Cannon is making the most of his opportunity and gets an early season look as the No. 3 running back.  

Tight end (3)

New York Jets tight end Chris Herndon works out during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 27, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

In: Chris Herndon, Eric Tomlinson, Jordan Leggett

Out: Clive Walford, Neal Sterling

Why: Despite his trouble staying healthy, Leggett has more upside than Walford and Sterling. So the Jets’ 2017 fifth-round pick out of Clemson gets to stay. 

Wide receiver (6)

In: Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, Quincy Enunwa, Chad Hansen, Jonah Trinnaman, Andre Roberts 

Suspended: ArDarius Stewart, Robby Anderson

Out: Charles Johnson, Tre McBride, Charone Peake, Lucky Whitehead

Why: We believe Anderson will get at least a one-game suspension after his two offseason arrests. Stewart has already been suspended for PEDs. Trinnaman has shown speed and playmaking potential and at age 22 he gets the nod over his older competition.

Offensive line (9)

In: Kelvin Beachum, James Carpenter, Spencer Long, Brian Winters, Brandon Shell, Ben Ijalana, Brent Qvale, Jonotthan Harrison, Dakota Dozier. 

Out: Austin Golson, Alex Balducci, Dakota Shepley, Antonio Garcia, Darius James, Travis Swanson, Ben Braden

Why: Harrison is versatile and he did a good job late in the 2017 season, which keeps him on the roster over Braden and Swanson. 

Defensive line (6) 

Defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi and Nathan Shepherd work out at rookie camp as they talk with head coach Todd Bowles.

In: Leonard Williams, Steve McLendon, Nathan Shepherd, Folorunso Fatukasi, Xavier Cooper, Mike Pennel

Out: Henry Anderson, Deon Simon, Mych Thomas, Kendall Reyes

Why: Williams, McLendon, Shepherd and Pennel are locks. It’s a tough choice between Cooper and Anderson. The Jets may try to slide Fatukasi onto the practice squad to keep both, but in the end we don’t think they take that risk.  

Linebacker (8)

In: Darron Lee, Avery Williamson, Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Brandon Copeland, Kevin Minter, David Bass

Suspended: Dylan Donahue 

Out: Frankie Luvu, Lorenzo Mauldin, Anthony Wint, Neville Hewitt, Obum Gwacham

Why: Donahue will likely be suspended to start the season after pleading guilty to two DWIs. Luvu has been impressive so far in camp, but in the end we think the veteran Copeland gets the nod at OLB. 

Safety (4)

New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (26) and New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrate Maye's interception, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

In: Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Terrence Brooks, Doug Middleton

PUP: Rontez Miles

Out: Brandon Bryant, J.J. Wilcox, Kacy Rodgers II

Why: Miles starts the season on the PUP list, Middleton edges out Wilcox for the final spot.  

Cornerback (6)

May 23, 2017; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets cornerback Derrick Jones (31) runs a drill during their organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

In: Trumaine Johnson, Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, Parry Nickerson, Derrick Jones, Jeremy Clark

Suspended: Rashard Robinson

Out: Terrell Sinkfield, Xavier Coleman, Juston Burris, Darryl Roberts

Why: Robinson starts the year on the suspension list and may not a have a job waiting for him when he returns. In a surprise, Clark beats out Roberts for the final spot. 

Special teams (3)

In: Cairo Santos (K), Lachlan Edwards (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)

Out: Taylor Bertolet (K)

Why: Santos is the more experienced kicker. Edwards and Hennessy are the only players on the team at their respective positions. 

Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com 

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