NY Jets 53-man roster: 2 positions to expect trades or waiver adds

The New York Jets’ 2025 preseason is complete.

Now, the 53-man roster predictions will begin rolling in. These predictions will be entirely comprised of players who have spent the whole summer with the Jets.

Well, except for the two defensive tackles New York just acquired out of the blue – and that’s the spirit of this time of year.

In all likelihood, the Jets’ Week 1 roster will include multiple players who are no t employed by the team as of today (Saturday morning).

Pinpointing exactly which players the Jets might target would be an extremely difficult exercise. Over a thousand players are about to be waived around the league.

What we can do is pinpoint the positions where New York can be expected to seek outside help.

After Friday night’s preseason finale, these two position groups seem like strong candidates to welcome a newcomer.

Tight end

The Jets’ tight end depth chart has been a noticeable weak spot throughout the calendar year.

After hiring Tanner Engstrand as their offensive coordinator and proceeding to sign Justin Fields, it was clear that the Jets needed two starter-quality tight ends to run their offense effectively. But the Jets entered the new league year with zero of those, as their only one from the 2024 season, Tyler Conklin, was a free agent.

This meant the Jets needed to add two starter-quality tight ends to their roster.

Conklin walked to Los Angeles, and New York let free agency go by without adding a starter-quality tight end. Entering the draft, they had two holes at the position.

The Jets finally made a strong pickup by drafting Mason Taylor in the second round. However, that was their lone tight end selection of the draft, leaving a gaping vacancy next to Taylor.

Nobody emerged in training camp or the preseason to alter the Jets’ outlook at this position. New York hoped that 2 022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert would stake his claim to a starting role, but in the preseason, Ruckert continued whiffing badly on blocks while making little to no impact as a receiver.

Outside of Ruckert, the Jets’ depth chart is limited to Stone Smartt, who has the build of a big wide receiver, and two other players who aren’t close to rosterable ( Neal Johnson and Zack Kuntz).

Friday night’s finale sent the message that New York is not content with this unit.

Ruckert, who would start in the Jets’ 12 personnel package if they played a game today, was thrown out there to start against Philadelphia alongside many players who will not make the team. Considering the Jets rested the remainder of their offensive roster locks (save for first-round pick Armand Me mbou, who received a few plays of work), Ruckert might not be as safe as it has seemed.

It remains likely that Ruckert makes the initial 53-man roster. But once the cuts start coming in, there is a very high likelihood that a better tight end than Ruckert will be available. Based on Ruckert’s appearance in the Bubble Bowl, do not be surprised if the Jets claim someone to replace him, relegating him to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Jets could also just keep Ruckert alongside a new tight end, but at this point, Ruckert has already blown every chance to prove why New York shouldn’t cut him.

Waiving someone else on the roster in favor of Ruckert would be bad business by the Jets. That would go against the idea of keeping the best 53 players on the roster – the mantra that coaches always peddle to the media at this time of year.

Edge rusher

In the starting lineup, the Jets are good to go with Will McDonald and a recovered Jermaine Johnson. Behind them, though, the Jets are in dire straits.

The competition for roster spots behind New York’s starting edge duo has featured unproven players like Micheal Clemons, Rashad Weaver, Eric Watts, Tyler Baron, and Kingsley Jonathan. Weaver seemed primed for a roster spot, but he was recently placed on season-ending injured reserve, making things even more bleak.

Any drama around Clemons is likely out the window; for all of his warts, the Jets simply don ’t have a better alternative. Baron is likely a lock due to his fifth-round rookie status.

Outside of Clemons and Baron, though, the Jets are out of viable options for this unit. Watts had a poor preseason, and none of the back-end players at this position stood out in a meaningful way.

Staring at the trio of Clemons, Baron, and Watts as the only viable options to round out their edge unit, the Jets seem extremely likely to add help at this position. With one of their two starters coming off an Achilles tear, they need quality depth, and yet, their projected top backup is someone who was one of the worst performers at his position last year.

The Jets are particularly sore for a speed rusher. Clemons (listed at 263lb but likely much bigger than that) and Watts (277lb) are big-bodied edge setters. Baron (258) has some upside around the corner thanks to his 4.62 speed, although his college scouting report noted a lack of explosiveness and quickness.

I would be very surprised if the Jets do not add a speedy edge rusher before Week 1. If they don’t, this unit will be a liability.