The NFL regular season is almost here.
There is just one last piece of business for teams to close out training camp and the preseason. Teams must cut their active rosters from 90 to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday. Then, they can claim players other teams cut Monday and begin to build their practice squads.
The Jets don’t have many spots up for grabs. This feels like a roster cutdown day without much drama for the Jets. That doesn’t mean it will be easy for coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey.
As Glenn put it, “you crush dreams.”
“This is always the toughest part of the year for any coach, and I don’t care how long I’ve been in this league, it’s always tough,” Glenn said after Friday’s preseason finale with the Giants. “This league goes on and you have to make these cuts and try to build your team to where it needs to be. So, look forward to that. Me and Mougey have a ton of discussions about a lot of people and that’s been our protocol no matter what. Looking forward to having discussions to try to build this team the way it needs to be built.”
Here is our final crack at predicting what the Jets’ 53-man roster will look like:
QUARTERBACK (2)
Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik
The only question here is whether the Jets will add a veteran to this room and carry three quarterbacks. I can see the argument to add someone. Klubnik does not look ready for extended action, but the Jets might feel like they could get through a game or two with him. The options on the open market won’t be too appealing but they could at least add someone who has played NFL games before.
RUNNING BACK (4)
Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
The only worry here is health. Hall and Davis are both recovering from injuries but are expected to be ready for Week 1.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith
Malik McClain and Cam Camper have had moments in camp but I think Smith gets the nod because of his special teams value. Patrick did not play in Friday’s game, signaling he is safe.
TIGHT END (4)
Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods
Four tight ends feel like a lot, but Woods has earned a roster spot. I am cutting fullback Andrew Beck because I think Ruckert and/or Woods can fill that role.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Chukwuma Okorafor, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper
It would not be surprising if Mougey adds an interior offensive lineman from the waiver wire. This group does not have much depth, but that is not unusual for most of the NFL. Cooper injured his shoulder Friday and may be an IR candidate.
EDGE RUSHERS (4)
David Bailey, Will McDonald IV, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare
The Jets have a lot invested in this group between draft picks and free agent signings. Nate Lynn was a nice preseason story, but I think he ends up on the practice squad. Braiden McGregor is one of my last cuts. Tyler Baron starts the year on PUP.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5)
T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Jowon Briggs, Darrell Jackson Jr.
No surprises here. Jackson had a really strong summer and has earned playing time.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Mykal Walker
Walker has been sidelined by a knee injury in the past two weeks, so he’s a health question. If he can go, Mauigoa, McCrary-Ball and Walker are all key special teams players.
CORNERBACK (7)
Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., D’Angelo Ponds, Qwan’tez Stiggers, Nahshon Wright, Jordan Clark
I gave Clark my last roster spot because he made so many plays this summer. Simply put, he’s a football player. I’m not sure it will work out because he plays the same nickel spot as Brownlee and Ponds, but if I’m Glenn, I am trying to hold on to him.
SAFETY (4)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore
Rookie VJ Payne starts the year on IR in this situation. I think Belton starts over Cisco.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Austin McNamara, Thomas Hennessy, Spencer Shrader
I have no idea who the kicker will be, but it can’t be Jason Sanders, who missed an extra point and a field goal Friday. Shrader is a former Jet who is in a competition with the Colts right now. If he loses that competition, I predict the Jets pick him up.
