Jets final 53-man roster prediction: Quantity over quality when it comes to sacking to the quarterback

The New York Jets are finished with the preseason after defeating the Giants 10-6 at MetLife Stadium. The Jets finish the preseason undefeated going a perfect 3-0. The next time we will see this team on the field will be for the week one opener on Monday September 9 ^th against the San Francisco 49ers.

With the preseason games over, now comes the difficult and important task of creating the 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad.

Here's a look at my prediction for the Jets' 2024 53-man roster.

53-Man Roster Prediction

Quarterback (2)

IN: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis* (NFIList)
OUT: Aidrian Martinez, Andrew Peasley

Either Martinez or Peasley will likely wind up on the practice squad, but with the age and injury history of both Rodgers and Taylor and injured Jordan Travis likely headed for the NFI List, the Jets will need to make sure they like whoever they keep around.

Running back (3)

IN: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
OUT: Israel Abanikanda, Xazavian Valladay, Deon Jackson

Abanikanda is the lone surprise here but his failed rookie season along with the emergence of Allen and Davis will lead the Jets to try and practice squad the former fifth round pick.

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, Irvin Charles
OUT: Jason Brownlee, Tyler Harrell, Malik Taylor, Lance McCutcheon, Isiah Winstead, Brandon Smith

Brownlee will be a tough cut, but the additions of Corley and Mike Williams and the albatross contract for Allen Lazard have left the second year UDFA without a job.  Irvin Charles might not have Brownlee's deep ball ability, but he is a special teams savant and gets the nod.

Tight End (4)

IN: Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah, Anthony Firkser (TE/FB)
OUT: Zack Kuntz, Lincoln Sefcik

Firkser is an interesting player to project.  The Jets may lean on him as the full back/H-back in Nathaniel Hackett's system especially after releasing Nick Bawden.  Firkser could be in a role similar to Packer great John Kuhn. That is, unless, they plan to mold Jeremy Ruckert in that role in which case Firkser may find himself cut.

Offensive Line (9)

IN: Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses, Olu Fashanu , Wes Schweitzer, Xavier Newman, Carter Warren
OUT: Max Mitchell, Austin Deculus, Jack Hanson, Willie Tyler III, Chris Glaser, Obinna Eze, Kohl Levao, Brady Latham

After two season of being the next-man-up for the Jets, Max Mitchell finds himself a victim of the numbers game.  I imagine he will get a hard look by some teams when he hits the waiver wire as he is still young and has shown flashes.  Ultimately the Jets replaced Mitchell with first-round pick Olu Fashanu and Carter Warren.  With the age of this offensive line, you will likely see most of them in games this season.  It is worth monitoring the injuries to both Mitchell and Newman as things could change based on their diagnosis.

Defensive Line (5)

IN: Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Leonard Taylor III
OUT: Tanzel Smart, Bruce Hector

It breaks my heart to put Tanzel Smart back on the "out" list because he is a decent player and easy to root for.  But this isn't show-love this is show-business and the Jets will opt for younger and cheaper.  Leonard Taylor III was a steal as an UDFA out of Miami.

Edge (6***)

IN: Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons, Takk McKinley, Braiden McGregor, Jalyn Holmes, Haason Reddick***
OUT: Eric Watts

Haason Reddick will remain on the “Reserve/Did Not Report” List until he decides to show up and who knows when that will be.  It better be by Week 10 for his sake or this whole process will start all over again next offseason.  This was one of the hardest to predict because I feel like the Jets would like to keep everyone in this group, but there just isn't enough room.  In the end I thought McGregor and Holmes showed more than Watts.  I expect Watts to be on the practice squad.

Linebacker (5)

IN: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Chazz Surratt
OUT: Anthony Hines, Jackson Sirmon, Sam Eguavoen, Marcelino McCrary-Ball

Barnes and Surratt get the edge here over Eguavoen because they played really well in the preseason.  This is a really good, but top heavy group with Mosley and Quincy.

Cornerback (6)

IN: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
OUT: Brandon Codrington, Kendall Sheffield, Shemar Bartholomew, Tre Swilling

I have tried every which way to sneak Codrington on the team based solely on his return capabilities that we saw against the Carolina Panthers in week 2 of the preseason.  But in the end, the numbers just don't add up with the Jets having other guys capable of being good returners.

Safety (4)

IN: Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver
OUT: Jaylen Key, Al Blades Jr., Jarius Monroe

Mr. Irrelevant just didn't show enough in preseason to make the cut, but he will likely wind up on the practice squad as the Jets are still high on the young safety out of Alabama.

Specialists (3)

IN: Greg Zuerlein (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
OUT: Austin Seibert

This was actually a closer race than originally thought.  Seibert almost earned the job during preseason but in the end, the contract they gave Zuerlein coupled with the fact that he is a weapon from almost anywhere on the field have him winning the job.  Seibert could be a trade candidate but he should earn a spot on another team with how well he kicked in preseason.