Jets updated depth chart after roster cuts: The offense has finally caught up to the defense

The New York Jets announced their final roster cuts on Tuesday that got the team down to the initial 53-man roster for 2024.

There were a couple of surprising moves, including keeping four running backs after it was assumed that Israel Abanikanda would likely be cut or moved to the practice squad. The Jets also kept three rookie undrafted free agents along their defensive front.

It's also very likely the Jets bring in new faces to help the team try and end a 13-year playoff drought. But until that starts happening, let's go ahead and take a look at what the initial depth chart should look like for Week 1.

Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are rookies. Players with a double asterisk (**) are on IR/NFIList. Jordan Travis is out for the year while Yeboah and Fotu are likely to return some time after week 4.

Offense

Quarterback
Starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backup: Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis*

Running back
Starter: Breece Hall
Backups: Braelon Allen*, Isaiah Davis*, Israel Abanikanda

Wide Receiver
Starters: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Xavier Gipson (Slot)
Backups: Malachi Corley*, Irvin Charles Allen Lazard, Jason Brownlee

Tight End
Starter: Tyler Conklin
Backups: Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah**

Tackle
Starters: Tyron Smith (LT), Morgan Moses (RT)
Backups: Olu Fashanu*, Carter Warren, Max Mitchell

Interior OL
Starters: Alijah Vera-Tucker (RG), Joe Tippmann (C), John Simpson (LG)
Backups: Wes Schweitzer, Xavier Newman

While the wide receiver core has gotten a lot better with the additions of Mike Williams and Malachi Corley, this roster screams of a team that wants to run the football. While Aaron Rodgers is better than any quarterback the Jets have ever had under center, the ability to run the ball is going to keep the team from relying on him to carry the offense.

I was pleasantly surprised the Jets opted to keep Jason Brownlee. He is a player I want to succeed but didn’t see a path for him to make the team. If the Jets can turn one of those guys into a true every game (I’m looking at you, Mike Williams) number two receiver, there will be no stacking the box against this team.  The Jets entering the season with only two healthy tight ends is a little concerning and may be something they address in the next week or so.

The offensive line is the best it has been since the early days of Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan, but it’s the depth at the position that stands out this time around. The Jets shouldn’t (knock on wood) need to call guys in off the street this year with the 10 offensive linemen they have on the 53.

The Jets have a road grating offensive line behind their two new tackles, and they have a stable of running backs lead by a true bell-cow in Breece Hall. Braelon Allen is going to be a player no defender is going to want to tackle late in games if the Jets have a lead.

Defense

Defensive Line
Starters: Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw
Backups: Solomon Thomas, Leonard Taylor III *, Leki Fotu**

Edge
Starters: Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons
Backups: Takk McKinley, Will McDonald IV, Eric Watts*, Braiden McGregor*
*** Haason Reddick will remain on the “Reserve/Did Not Report” List until he decides to show up.

Linebacker
Starters: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood
Backups: Zaire Barnes, Chazz Surratt

Cornerback
Starters: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II (slot)
Backups: Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers*, Jarrick Bernard-Converse

Safety
Starters: Chuck Clark, Tony Adams
Backups: Ashtyn Davis, Isaiah Oliver

Specialists
Starters: Greg Zuerlein (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)

I would be nervous about the lack of name-brand talent along the Jets front seven if I didn’t completely trust Jeff Ulbrich and Robert Saleh to be able to squeeze every ounce of juice out of those guys. There is a lot of untapped potential in guys like Javon Kinlaw and he is on a one-year “prove it” deal and all indications are he will do just that.

The Jets opted to go with quantity over quality along the defensive front as Haason Reddick continues to hold out. The Jets keeping three UDFAs may be a win for Reddick’s camp now, but if those kids play the way we saw in preseason, the Jets will hold all the cards in the Reddick negotiations. Why pay him $28 million when these UDFAs are working fine at a fraction of the cost?

The Jets defense will attack opposing quarterbacks in waves with their defensive front. I am a little worried about their run defense up the middle, especially with the loss of Fotu for at least the first four weeks of the season. Opposing teams might look to lean heavily on the run game early against this team as their defensive line is a little undersized.

For at least one more year this season the Jets will boast the best trio of cornerbacks in the NFL lead by Sauce Gardner. I look forward to seeing him following a team’s number one receiver more this season. It may behoove the Jets to lock up Michael Carter before he hits free agency.

While this is still just the preliminary 53-man squad, it’s a better roster than the Jets have had in almost a decade, as long as they stay healthy.

Related: Jets Roster Cuts Tracker 2024: Keeping tabs on all of the moves to get to 53