Jets 53-Man Roster Prediction
Two games are in the books for the Jets in the 2025 preseason, and the battle to make the 53-man roster is taking shape. GM Darren Mougey made the battles more interesting as he addressed the weakest group on the team, the defensive line, adding veteran Harrison Phillips from the Vikings and second-year player Jowon Briggs from the Browns.
It is unlikely that the starters outisde of the newly added Phillips will see much time in the final exhibition game against the Eagles on Friday, which means the end of the roster will get a lot of time to state their case to be on the roster when the Jets open against the Steelers at Metlife Stadium on September 7, or to be scooped up by another team after cuts happen in August 26th.
The most interesting positional battles all summer have been at wide receiver and running back. Still, there will also be some cuts this year that include defensive linemen and backs that have either had a nice camp but won’t make it, or started camp with a roster spot but bad play forces them off the team.
Below is the 53-man roster I expect, but not necessarily want, with notes on each group with details.
Quarterback, 2: Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor
The plan since the opening of camp has been for the Jets to use two spots at QB, but there is a path now for Adrian Martinez to avoid the practice squad in week one if Taylor is not yet ready to play after missing the majority of camp with a knee injury and having surgery. Martinez will want to play well again Friday to solidify himself as the third stringer, with UDFA rookie Brady Cook lingering for the opportunity as well. Both should make the practice squad either way.
Running Back, 5: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Ngwangwu, Andrew Beck
The three-headed monster of Hall, Allen, and Davis is a key to any Jets success this season, but this room will also have two additions that did not seem likely at the opening of camp. Ngwangwu looks to be the favorite to be the returner this season, and Beck has played well enough to justify keeping a fullback on the team. Beck will be needed as a lead blocker and H-back type threat in the passing game.
This also means Donovan Edwards will be cut, but I would not be shocked to see him land somewhere else after showing some explosiveness in the opener and a willingness to return the ball.
Wide Receiver, 6: Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Arian Smith, Jamaal Pritchett, Tyler Johnson
No group has been discussed more this offseason and training camp than the receivers. I wish Lazard would be cut, but with his contract being restructured in the Spring and the need for veterans on the offense, he will likely start the season as WR3. In his place, I would much prefer Brandon Smith or Quentin Skinner make the team, as both have shown a lot of promise and athleticism this summer.
Of the young receivers, I expect Pritchett to make the team due to his special teams abilities. This most likely means the end for Xavier Gipson as a Jet, as his mediocre record as a returner and inability to make a difference in the passing game has finally caught up to his roster spot. We will always have the memory of this walk-off punt-return touchdown in the opener against the Bills in 2023, but other than that, it is a disappointing conclusion to his Jets career.
The other notable cut here is Malachi Corley. The third-round pick of just a couple years ago has been a disaster, and you can add him to the long list of receiver draft pick duds from the Jets. That is a list rookie Arian Smith will look to avoid this year, as the fourth-round pick has been a lightning rod in the preseason, and he will be a closely watched prospect this year.
Tight End, 3: Mason Taylor, Stone Smartt, Jeremy Ruckert
No real surprises here in terms of who makes the tem, but the depth chart will look different than we thought in July. Ruckert has played himself out of being the starter in his first chance as TE1, and he might be jumped by Smartt for TE2. Smartt had the highlight of the Jets/Giants matchup, chipping third overall pick Abdul Carter into oblivion on a now viral play on the Jets last possession for starters on Saturday.
This means Zack Kuntz will be cut, but I would expect to see him on the roster at some point, particularly with Taylor’s ankle appearing to be a lingering issue.
Offensive Lineman, 9: Olu Fashanu, Armand Membou, Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Chukwuma Okorafor, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman
This is the strongest offensive line the Jets have had entering a new season in over a decade, and with it comes a decent amount of depth. AVT has been a beast all preseason and has his sights set on a healthy All-Pro-caliber year, and recent first-round picks Fashanu and Membou give the outside protection as much promise as there is across the league.
Former fourth-round pick Carter Warren would be cut in this scenario, and his only hope of making the team might be the injury to Simpson. I would not be surprised if Kohl Levao makes it over him if Simpson is out, and there is always the chance the Jets add a player once cuts happen on the 26th.
Defensive End, 5: Will McDonald, Jermain Johnson, Michael Clemons, Rashad Weaver, Jamarcus Weston
The first four on this list seem locked into their roles, no matter how sick of watching Clemons I get. Weaver might be the most likely beneficiary if Johnson is not 100% week 1, but overall edges seem clear in 2025. Eric Watts is an exciting prospect who might need a big performance against the Eagles to stave off Tyler Baron and sneak on the roster, and Weston’s special teams prowess clears him as one of the last members of the roster. Both are in more jeopardy now, though, after the trades made on Wednesday.
Defensive Tackle, 5: Quinnen Williams, Harrison Phillips, Jay Tufele, Jowon Briggs, Leonard Taylor
This is the weakest group on the roster got stronger on Wednesday, and it certainly shuffles the deck for this position group. Byron Cowart is likely to start on IR, while Derrick Nnadi and Philadrian Mathis have had every opportunity to make this team, but they have been invisible and are in great danger now. If the Jets do not keep five backs on offense.
Linebacker, 5: Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Francis Mauigoa, Jamin Davis
I would not say the linebackers have shone this camp, but we know Sherwood and Williams will play most downs this year. Williams, who played 99% of snaps last year, is playing for a contract and could have a big payday coming if he replicates his success from his All-Pro 2023 season. The most notable cut here will be Zaire Barnes, who was a disaster against the Giants, and a backer who isn’t tackling effectively on a busy roster is always doomed.
Cornerback, 5: Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, Azareye’h Thomas, Qwan’Tez Stiggers
This is the best position group on the team, and because of it, a promising player like Jarrick Bernard-Converse is likely to be a casualty of cut day. I expect JBC to find another roster as he has the skillset to be a fourth corner on most teams.
Safety, 5: Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore, Isaiah Oliver, Jarius Monroe
This has been a surprisingly competitive group in camp. Cisco and Adams are likely the starting tandem to begin the season, but in a perfect world, Moore will eventually start over Adams. Cisco takes huge risks, and because of it, having a sure tackler like Moore next to him would give some stability to the secondary. Tanner McCallister and Dean Clark likely won’t make the team out of camp, but they have had nice camps and should stick around on the practice squad.
Special Teams, 3: Austin McNamara, Nick Folk, Thomas Hennessy
Folk’s signing was essential, as having two rookies as the kickers on your team is a huge risk. McNamara has been great in the preseason and looks to be a legit NFL punter, and of course, Hennessy will be the long snapper for the 87th season in a row. This means the Thicker Kicker Harrison Mevis will be off the team, and I would not be surprised if he finds his way on another roster.
