EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The preseason is over. The New York Jets went undefeated — capped by a thrilling 10-6 win against the Giants in this year’s Snoopy Bowl.
That happened in 2022, too — an undefeated preseason capped by a win against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. It didn’t matter then. It matters even less now — especially since the Jets rested almost all of their projected starters for the entirety of the preseason. Last year, Aaron Rodgers played against the Giants to cap the preseason and managed a highlight-reel touchdown throw to Garrett Wilson.
There was no such Rodgers magic this year — the Jets’ preseason action was reserved mostly for Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez at quarterback, neither of whom will make the 53-man roster.
This is also the most loaded Jets roster top to bottom in years — leaving fewer spots to be won in these preseason games. But there were still enough spots — by my count, five or six at most — that appeared to be up for grabs. And a few players in particular might’ve fought their way onto the roster with their preseason performance.
So with that, here is my final 53-man projection before cuts become official on Tuesday afternoon:
Quarterback (2)
In: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor
Reserve/NFI: Jordan Travis
Out: Adrian Martinez, Andrew Peasley
It was unfortunate that Travis didn’t wind up getting any reps in training camp — but it was always a dicey proposition anyway considering he suffered a serious ankle injury late last college season (in November at Florida State). If he remains on NFI past the cutdown deadline, he would be out at least four weeks (and he would not count against the 53 during that time), but I’d expect it to extend further than that — it might be a redshirt year for the fifth-round pick.
Running back (4)
In: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Israel Abanikanda
Out: Xazavian Valladay, Deon Jackson
I’ve had Abanikanda off my projections for most of the summer, but over the last couple of weeks, he’s flashed the explosiveness and potential that he showed last summer — and that led to the Jets drafting him in the first place. They never trusted him enough (especially in protection) to actually play him until the very end of last season, and he rarely got reps with anything more than the second- or third-team offense this summer.
But ultimately, he brings a little different flavor than the other Jets backup running backs in Allen and Davis, who are more north-south, strong runners, whereas Abanikanda is more in the Hall mold with his speed, explosion and agility.
Saturday, he had probably the best run of his NFL career so far: A 45-yard touchdown run where he broke a few tackles along the way. He’ll likely be inactive on game days to open the season, but he’s shown enough lately to stick around.
Izzy Abanikanda!
The @nyjets RB goes 45 yards for the TD ✈️ pic.twitter.com/dt20iFd1XO
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2024
Wide receiver (6)
In: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Irvin Charles
Out: Jason Brownlee, Lance McCutcheon, Brandon Smith, Isaiah Winstead, Tyler Harrell
I had a tougher time with Brownlee than any of the players on the roster bubble. He’s had a highly inconsistent summer, big plays mixed in with too many drops or prolonged stretches of invisibility. He also doesn’t have a clear path to playing time, at least early in the season, since he doesn’t play much of a role on special teams (like Charles and Gipson) and wasn’t highly drafted (like Corley).
Williams is banged up but should be back for Week 1, and Lazard will take the other reps when Williams is on a pitch count. So Brownlee would likely be a healthy scratch once the season starts if he makes the roster. But he does clearly have some talent and big-play ability — enough that I’m not sure he’ll make it through waivers if he’s cut, which could be a factor. As such, I’m projecting him to be cut but not with much confidence.
Tight end (3)
In: Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah
Out: Anthony Firkser, Zack Kuntz, Lincoln Sefcik
If the Jets keep four tight ends, I think Firkser gets in. The 29-year-old has experience (71 games, 115 receptions) and spent three years playing for Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing with the Titans. He’s had a much better training camp than Kuntz, the 2023 seventh-round pick who has all the physical and athletic tools but hasn’t shown much as a tight end. Firkser also has some experience lining up in the backfield as a blocker.
This is a position where I could see the Jets looking for another backup option on the waiver wire, too.
GO DEEPER
New York Jets stock report after preseason win over Carolina Panthers
Offensive line (10)
In: Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Olu Fashanu, Wes Schweitzer, Carter Warren, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman
Out: Chris Glaser, Jake Hanson, Austin Deculus, Kohl Levao, Obinna Eze, Brady Latham
Mitchell hurt his shoulder on Saturday, and that could complicate things depending on the severity of the injury, which Saleh was unsure about after the game. But I think he deserves to stick around if the injury is not too bothersome. The 2022 fourth-round pick has been subbing in for first-team reps at both left and right tackle this offseason on days when Smith and/or Moses have gotten rest. If healthy, he’d surely get claimed on waivers if the Jets cut him, too.
Newman hurt his shoulder on Saturday and was promptly declared out, which is usually a bad sign, but Saleh said he could’ve returned to the game. That the Jets were holding him out even though he could have played is a sign that they might want to keep him — something he’s earned with a solid summer rotating between guard and center. The Jets lack depth on the interior outside of Schweitzer at the moment.
Defensive end (5)
In: Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons, Takk McKinley, Braiden McGregor
Reserve/did not report: Haason Reddick
Out: Eric Watts, Jalyn Holmes
Watts flashed early in camp during practices with his unique blend of size and athleticism, but it just hasn’t translated to success in game settings. He had some issues getting off blocks against the Commanders, Panthers and Giants — whereas McGregor has flashed an impressive array of pass rushing moves in the preseason games. Saturday night, he had back-to-back plays where he combined for sacks with defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.
Reddick sticking on the did not report list opens up a roster spot, and McGregor, for now, takes advantage of it. McKinley became an easy choice to make the team after he was, at best, a long shot when they signed him earlier in the summer. He’s been one of the stories of training camp and killed former Giants first-round pick Evan Neal on a sack on Saturday night, then added a second sack in the fourth quarter. He’ll not only make the team but probably play a rotational role in Week 1 (assuming Reddick isn’t around).
GO DEEPER
Ugliness aside, the Jets need Haason Reddick — and Reddick needs the Jets
Holmes has also had a nice summer, but he’s a vested veteran, so the Jets could bring him back after some roster gymnastics if that’s a desire.
Defensive tackle (5)
In: Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Leonard Taylor III
Out: Tanzel Smart, Jaylen Twyman, Bruce Hector
Taylor got the most hype out of the Jets undrafted rookie class because at one point in his Miami career, he was viewed as an early-round prospect — and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had him with a fourth-/fifth-round grade. In the early days of OTAs and minicamp, Taylor didn’t stand out, and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton said it likely took him some time to adjust to the Jets’ style of play on the defensive line.
Over the last couple of weeks, Taylor has really come on, capped by a dominant performance Saturday where, at one point in the second quarter, he was involved in a sack on three straight plays and added a tackle for loss in the second quarter, too.
GO DEEPER
Jets rookie report: Braelon Allen shines, two UDFAs might stick around
🚨 Leonard Taylor III can’t be stopped 🚨
📺: #NYGvsNYJ on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0cSOi2VFwO
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 25, 2024
Linebacker (5)
In: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Chazz Surratt
Out: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Sam Eguavoen, Anthony Hines, Jackson Sirmon
Eguavoen is a sneaky potential one to stick around, whether right away or after starting on the practice squad for a couple of weeks. He’s a trusted veteran who is best on special teams — but Surratt and Barnes make it over him because of their athleticism. Barnes was a recent draft pick, too — while Saleh has publicly professed his love for Surratt, who made some plays on Saturday.
Cornerback (6)
In: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Out: Brandon Codrington, Nehemiah Shelton, Kendall Sheffield, Shemar Bartholomew
Bernard-Converse injured his groin last week, though Saleh indicated he should return for Week 1. This might be the most talented cornerback room in the NFL, and it goes beyond the three starters (Gardner, Reed, Carter) since Stiggers has flashed some legitimate starting potential. As a bonus, he’s made plays on special teams all summer — including a fumble recovery on Saturday.
GO DEEPER
From unknown to underdog: Qwan’tez Stiggers’ storybook rise as an NFL Draft prospect
Codrington made a late push for a roster spot with some impressive returns over the last two weeks, but he could get a shot as a returner with another team.
Safety (4)
In: Tony Adams, Chuck Clark, Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver
Out: Jaylen Key, Jarius Monroe, Al Blades Jr., Tre Swilling
Key was one of the last cuts. General manager Joe Douglas has rarely cut draft picks this quickly — other than last year, when he cut Kuntz and got him through to the practice squad. I can see the Jets trying something similar here with Key, who has some potential and can contribute on special teams but doesn’t really have enough of a role right now to beat out others I had fighting for the final roster spots.
Special teams (3)
In: Greg Zuerlein, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy
Out: Austin Seibert
Maybe the Jets can find a kicker-needy team to trade Seibert to, because he’s a quality NFL kicker. If not, expect him back on the practice squad.
(Photo of Israel Abanikanda, 25, and tight end Zack Kuntz, 81: Rich Barnes / USA Today)
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
