The roster locks, toughest cuts and deepest positions as reloaded Jets approach Week 1

Charles Wenzelberg/New York Submit; Invoice Kostroun (2)

The Jets are getting deep into coaching camp. They're of their fourth week of practices, and their second preseason recreation is developing Monday in opposition to the Falcons.

It appears like a great time for a 53-man roster projection.

The excellent news for the Jets is that this train is way harder this 12 months than in any latest 12 months I can bear in mind. There have been some years when I've performed an preliminary run on the 53-man roster and solely give you 35 gamers. This 12 months, there have been some powerful choices to make.

Here's a have a look at what I anticipate proper now and a few ideas on every place:

QB (3): Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White

Zach Wilson’s knee harm places Joe Flacco in place to start out the season opener and retains Mike White on the Jets roster as a 3rd quarterback.

Robert Sabo

This one grew to become rather a lot simpler after Wilson’s harm on Friday. There had been a query about whether or not the Jets would carry three quarterbacks on their roster. Now they should.

RB (4): Michael Carter, Breece Corridor, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson

The tip is close to for 2020 draft decide La’Mical Perine, who has had some good moments in coaching camp. This place is just too crowded. Except there's an harm to the highest 4, he’s historical past. Undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight has had a extremely robust camp and will land on the follow squad.

WR (5): Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Garrett Wilson, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith

Denzel Mims, who lacks the special-teams dimension of a typical fifth receiver, is a candidate for a preseason commerce.

AP

The primary 4 are locks. Smith will get the sting over Denzel Mims as a result of he performs particular groups. The Jets are attempting to get Mims concerned on particular groups, however I’m skeptical it's going to truly occur. It might not be shocking if Mims will get traded earlier than last cuts. Calvin Jackson has been spectacular. He ought to have a spot on the follow squad.

TE (4): C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah

The highest three are new acquisitions who will certainly be on the workforce. I’m going to provide Yeboah the nod over Trevon Wesco due to particular groups. Ruckert can also substitute Wesco as the first blocking tight finish.

OL (9): Duane Brown, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, George Fant, Dan Feeney, Max Mitchell, Conor McDermott, Chuma Edoga

I in all probability have one too many right here, however I believe Mitchell goes to be inactive for each recreation. I simply don’t assume the fourth-round decide is prepared. Feeney can play guard and middle. McDermott can play sort out and guard. Edoga stands out as the odd man out, however the Jets in all probability will dangle onto him as insurance coverage at sort out.

DL (10): Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Sheldon Rankins, Solomon Thomas, Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, Micheal Clemons, Bryce Huff, Nathan Shepherd

Bryce Huff has received over the Jets’ coaches, however he might discover it troublesome to win a spot within the workforce’s deep defensive position rotation.

Invoice Kostroun

That is the hardest place on the workforce to determine. The Jets have nice depth on the defensive position. That's going to result in some good gamers getting minimize. Veteran Vinny Curry has battled a hamstring harm in camp, and he may very well be minimize. The coaches love Huff, however he would possibly get caught in a numbers recreation.

LB (5): C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Kwon Alexander, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen

The starters are set, however there are questions on depth at this place. Including Alexander actually helped. He'll begin within the base protection. Sherwood and Nasirildeen are simply of their second seasons making the transfer from security to linebacker. They're additionally special-teams contributors. Marcell Harris was taking part in rather a lot earlier than Alexander arrived and Del’Shawn Phillips is a favourite of the teaching employees, however I believe each will probably be minimize.

CB (6): Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Corridor, Brandin Echols, Justin Hardee

The addition of D.J. Reed in free company has helped the Jets flip considered one of their extra shallow place teams into considered one of their most improved.

Invoice Kostroun

This place has been considerably upgraded this offseason, and the trickle-down impact is obvious. Corridor and Echols have gone from starters to backups, and gamers who have been backups final 12 months now will land on the follow squad. Hardee is a special-teams ace. Javelin Guidry is on the bubble for me. He may very well be the backup at nickel for Carter, however I simply couldn't squeeze him in. It might not be shocking, although, if he sticks.

S (4): Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Jason Pinnock, Ashtyn Davis

Whitehead is the one positive factor right here. Joyner has had an underwhelming camp, and it's a must to wonder if the Jets would take into account changing him. Pinnock has performed effectively and appears like an ascending participant. Davis is hanging on by a thread, as are a number of members of the 2020 draft class. Elijah Riley and Will Parks have had good moments, however I can’t see the Jets maintaining too many safeties.

ST (3): Greg Zuerlein (kicker), Braden Mann (punter), Thomas Hennessy (lengthy snapper)

The one query right here is kicker. Eddy Pineiro is now coping with again tightness, and that provides Zuerlein the sting. It has been a great competitors, however I'm going with Zuerlein.

A welcome return

Carl Lawson and his teammates will probably be nearer to the media this season than they've been since earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic restricted locker room entry for the press.

Invoice Kostroun

The postgame of Jets-Eagles on Friday night time was vital for these of us who cowl the Jets as a result of we have been again within the locker room for the primary time for the reason that finish of the 2019 season. I do know followers don't care a lot about what the media goes by way of, however being within the locker room after two years away from it due to COVID restrictions was vital.

It struck me after I was driving residence from Philadelphia that I used to be assured the harm to Wilson was not vital due to what I noticed within the locker room. Gamers have been upbeat, music was blaring and guys have been joking round. I've been in locker rooms after a participant is misplaced for the season, and this actually was not that.

These are the sorts of insights that have been misplaced with out entry the locker room. It was powerful to have a really feel for the workforce. In 2020, when the Jets began 0-13, folks would ask in regards to the temper across the workforce. I might guess that it was not good, but it surely was not the identical as being in entrance of men and with the ability to speak about it with them. It was laborious to gauge whether or not they had packed it in for the season as a result of we couldn’t see up shut whether or not they had given up.

That’s what made Friday a welcome return. I can now stay up for an everyday season once we can go into the locker room through the week and discuss to gamers. It enhances the protection and helps us let the followers know what is really happening.

Stat’s so

Joe Flacco is in line to start out the season opener in opposition to the Ravens with Zach Wilson recovering from knee surgical procedure. Right here is how Flacco has fared over the previous three seasons since he left the Ravens. He has performed for the Broncos (2019) and Jets (2020, 2021), and has a 2-11 report as a starter:

15 video games
13 begins
272 completions
438 makes an attempt
62.1 comp. pct.
3,024 yards
15 TDs
8 INTs
86.4 passer score