In their first year as coach and general manager, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey will have some difficult roster decisions to make.
During training camp, Glenn and Mougey have been evaluating the Jets’ 90-man roster in training camp practice. But the three preseason games will likely determine the fate of the Gang Green players who are on the proverbial roster bubble. On Aug. 26, all 32 teams must trim their roster size down to 53 players. In addition, Glenn and Mougey will add 16 players to the Jets’ practice squad.
With that in mind, here are the Daily News’ final Jets’ 53-man roster predictions ahead of the team’s first preseason game.
QUARTERBACK (2): Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor
It is likely the Jets will only keep two quarterbacks on their main roster. Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook will likely compete for the QB spot on their practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (5): Andrew Beck (FB), Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
Hall, Allen and Davis are all virtual locks to make the roster. Nwangwu provides value on special teams, so he gets the nod here. Last year, Nwangwu won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after his 99-yard kick return touchdown against the Seahawks.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Allen Lazard, Jamaal Pritchett
Who Glenn and Mougey decide to keep at wide receiver could be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch. No one has solidified themselves as the Jets’ No. 2 receiver, but it appears Reynolds is the leader in the clubhouse as of now. The coaching staff also likes what Johnson brings to the table with his ability to separate from defenders.
Lazard has struggled with drops throughout camp, but he is a veteran in a room full of young talent. Smith has flashed throughout camp with his speed and has been sure-handed. Pritchett gets the nod here because he can return kicks and has been a solid performer throughout practices.
TIGHT END (3): Mason Taylor, Stone Smartt, Jeremy Ruckert
Taylor seemed primed for a significant role this year before a high ankle sprain sidelined him. It is unknown how long Taylor will be out, but he will likely be the starter once he returns because of his budding chemistry with Fields. Smartt is a big-body tight end (6-4, 226 pounds) who can continue to develop. Ruckert is currently listed on the Jets’ unofficial depth chart as a starter, but has struggled with drops recently.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Armand Membou, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Olu Fashanu, Josh Myers, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman
The Jets’ offensive line is one of their strongest units entering the 2025 season. They have used a ton of resources in recent years to strengthen the line, including selecting Membou seventh overall in April’s draft. They also drafted Fashanu the year prior, which should give the Jets their two starting tackles for the foreseeable future.
Myers, Mitchell, Okorafor and Newman have all played meaningful snaps in the league. So if injuries occur, they should each be able to step in and produce.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Quinnen Williams, Jermaine Johnson II, Byron Cowart, Derrick Nnadi, Jay Tufele, Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons, Rashad Weaver, Leonard Taylor III, Tyler Baron
Johnson is expected to be cleared and ready by Week 1 after tearing his Achilles last season. However, with Johnson still on the physically unable to perform list, it is possible the Jets could keep an extra defensive lineman just in case. That is why Weaver made the roster cut, but he will have to hold off Payton Page and Braiden McGregor, who are both candidates to make the practice squad.
Tufele and Cowart are the two players who are in the early lead for the defensive tackle spot opposite Williams.
LINEBACKER (5): Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Jamin Davis, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Francisco Mauigoa
McCrary-Ball has been a bright spot during camp defensively and he has special teams value. Davis is a veteran who has played in 50 NFL games and is someone who could help mentor the rookie Mauigoa, who was drafted in the fifth round.
CORNERBACK (6): Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, Azareye’h Thomas, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Isaiah Oliver
Gardner has been performing like he is primed for a bounce-back season during camp. Stephens has also been superb with his ability to break up passes and even bring down interceptions.
Thomas has also been solid and could receive rotational snaps on the outside once he recovers from his shoulder injury. Oliver is the Jets’ Swiss Army knife because of his ability to play at safety and cornerback when needed. Stiggers has consistently shown his coverage ability and continues to be a good developmental player.
SAFETY (4): Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore, Jarius Monroe
Cisco and Adams appeared to have locked down the starting two spots here with their strong performances in camp. Moore and Monroe have also proven they are the best two safety options after Cisco and Adams.
SPECIALIST (3): Nick Folk, Thomas Hennessy, Austin McNamara
I’m not sure the Jets punter for the 2025 season is currently on their roster. McNamara has been uneven during camp, but he is the only punter currently in camp. Folk was signed last week and has been the most accurate kicker in the NFL the previous two seasons which means Harrison Mevis will likely be cut.
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