New York Jets 53-man roster prediction: Post-Giants game edition

Following the New York Jets’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, I released an initial 53-man roster prediction. Now, two-thirds of the way through the preseason and coming off a 31-12 loss to the New York Giants, here is my updated roster prediction.

Quarterback

• Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez (3)
• Practice Squad: Brady Cook (1)

Adrian Martinez has made a strong case to secure a spot on the Jets’ 53-man roster after his latest preseason outing.

In Saturday’s 31-12 loss to the Giants, Martinez completed 12 of 21 passes for 114 yards with one interception, having multiple incomplete passes dropped or disrupted by quick pressure. That followed an efficient debut in the preseason opener, when he went 11 of 16 for 152 yards and a touchdown.

The former UFL MVP’s mobility has stood out, and while he may not be ready to start in the NFL, he has shown he is far more than just a camp arm.

Carrying four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster would be irrational for New York; however, undrafted rookie Brady Cook lands on the practice squad as a developmental dual-threat option.

Cook showed progress in Saturday’s loss to the Giants, completing 6 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown after a shaky preseason debut.

Running Back

• Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu (4)
• Practice Squad: Donovan Edwards (1)

Kene Nwangwu significantly strengthened his case for a roster spot with an all-around performance on Saturday.

The former All-Pro returner opened the game with a 38-yard kickoff return that set the Jets’ offense up at the 42-yard line. He later saved a punt from going into the end zone, allowing it to be downed at the 7-yard line. Offensively, Nwangwu added six carries for 31 yards, averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per rush.

Nwangwu’s versatility gives him a path to the 53-man roster as the Jets’ primary kick returner and a versatile special teamer, while also contributing as the fourth running back.

Rookie Donovan Edwards, meanwhile, could not build on his impressive preseason debut. With Isaiah Davis sidelined by injury, Edwards struggled to make an impact.

The Jets are able to keep him on the practice squad, where the high-upside back is unlikely to be added to another team’s active roster.

Fullback

• Andrew Beck (1)

Despite not finding the stat sheet on Saturday, Andrew Beck still holds a spot on the team’s active roster.

Beck’s ability to contribute in multiple ways gives the Jets added flexibility on offense. In the preseason win over Green Bay, the veteran fullback hauled in two passes for 36 yards, highlighted by a 24-yard grab that put the offense in position for Justin Fields’ touchdown run.

With his mix of blocking and receiving skills, Beck offers a versatile option the coaching staff can lean on in different situations.

Wide Receiver

• Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, Quentin Skinner, Jamaal Pritchett (6)
• Practice Squad: Brandon Smith (1)
• Reserve/PUP: Irv Charles (1)

No changes here from last week.

Quentin Skinner further displayed why he is worthy of a roster spot, as the Kansas product made his mark with four catches for 48 yards, including a touchdown. The six points came on a standout catch, when he stretched out in the back of the end zone, briefly juggled the ball, and pulled it in before crashing to the turf.

Jamaal Pritchett appears to have secured the Jets’ punt return job. He handled all three Giants punts Saturday and offers additional value as a complementary kick returner alongside Kene Nwangwu. Xavier Gipson, sidelined for both preseason games and inconsistent during camp, is unlikely to remain with New York.

Wideout Brandon Smith continues to flash, hauling in five receptions for 48 yards against the Giants. Still, there is not much risk involved in placing the fifth-year receiver on waivers and bringing him back on the practice squad.

Irv Charles is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 14 of the 2024 season, and he will open the season on the reserve/PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, allowing the Jets to retain him without counting towards the 53. He would be required to miss at least the first four games of the season.

Tight end

• Mason Taylor, Stone Smartt (2)
• Practice Squad: Zack Kuntz (1)

After a rough start to the preseason in Green Bay, tight end Jeremy Ruckert was invisible under the lights at MetLife Stadium.

Ruckert’s place on the roster is becoming harder to defend. With Andrew Beck carving out a clear role, the Jets may opt to carry just two official tight ends, rookie Mason Taylor and former Los Angeles Charger Stone Smartt, while leaning on Beck’s versatility to round out the group.

The rise of unexpected contributors such as Jamaal Pritchett and Quentin Skinner has further squeezed Ruckert’s chances. If the Jets are concerned about moving forward with only two tight ends and a fullback, they could look to add a more dependable option after cutdown day.

Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz projects as a practice-squad candidate, providing size at 6-foot-8 and value on special teams.

Regardless of how the depth chart shakes out, the unit will largely hinge on second-round pick Mason Taylor, who is being asked to shoulder the bulk of the load right away.

Offensive line

• Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Armand Membou, Josh Myers, Chukwuma Okorafor, Marquis Hayes, Max Mitchell,(10)
• Practice Squad: Kohl Levao, Carter Warren (2)
• IPP Player: Leander Wiegand (1)

Marquis Hayes beats out Xavier Newman for the Jets’ final backup guard spot on the active roster.

Hayes has thrived this preseason in both the pass and run games, logging an 87.8 pass-blocking grade and a 73.1 run-blocking grade at Pro Football Focus throughout the team’s first two preseason matchups.

Max Mitchell slightly edges out Carter Warren for a roster spot due to his versatility to slide in and play guard if need be; however, the Jets retain Warren on the practice squad alongside Kohl Leavo, who has experience at all five positions across the offensive line.

German native Leander Weigand remains with the team as New York’s International Pathway Program player.

Defensive Line

• EDGE: Will McDonald, Jermaine Johnson, Tyler Baron, Eric Watts, Rashad Weaver, Kingsley Jonathan (6)
• DT: Quinnen Williams, Leonard Taylor III, Byron Cowart, Jay Tufele (4)
• Practice Squad: DT Phidarian Mathis, DT Payton Page (2)

Kingsley Jonathan has secured the Jets’ final edge rusher spot over Micheal Clemons. He notched a sack against the Giants and posted an 80.8 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, continuing a preseason in which he has simply outperformed Clemons.

Head coach Aaron Glenn praised Clemons’ physical traits earlier this offseason, but he has made clear he will put the best players on the field — and right now, that is Jonathan.

On the interior, Phidarian Mathis earned a practice-squad role with his disruptive pass rushing, along with undrafted rookie Payton Page, who offers upside as a run-stuffer.

Derrick Nnadi, meanwhile, remains the odd man out after struggling to make an impact in two consecutive preseason starts.

While carrying only four defensive tackles may appear thin, it matches the number Aaron Glenn’s defense opened with last season in Detroit.

Linebacker

• Jamien Sherwood, Quincy Williams, Jamin Davis, Francisco Mauigoa (4)
• Practice Squad: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Jackson Sirmon, Ja’Markis Weston (3)

The Jets opt to carry four linebackers on the active roster instead of five, with former first-round pick Jamin Davis securing the LB3 role after a strong preseason that included multiple run stops and steady coverage work.

Behind rookie fifth-round pick Francisco Mauigoa, no linebacker consistently showed enough to warrant a roster spot.

Ja’Markis Weston flashed on defense and special teams against the Green Bay Packers but failed to replicate that impact versus the Giants, a shortcoming that, as Jets X-Factor’s Michael Nania noted, separates flashes from roster-worthy trends.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball, once considered the favorite for the LB3 job, was undone by missed tackles and defensive lapses. He lands on the practice squad alongside Weston and second-year pro Jackson Sirmon.

Cornerback

• Sauce Gardner, Brandon Stephens, Michael Carter II, Azareye’h Thomas, Isaiah Oliver, Qwan’tez Stiggers (6)
• Practice Squad: Jordan Clark, Ryan Cooper, Jarrick Bernard-Converse (3)

No changes were made in the secondary.

Qwan’tez Stiggers rounds out the cornerback group as a core special teams contributor who can provide depth on the boundary if needed.

If Michael Carter II or Isaiah Oliver were sidelined, practice squad corner Jordan Clark, a Notre Dame product, would likely be elevated to fill the nickel role.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse stood out in his preseason debut, earning an 87.2 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus and recording two tackles, including a stop at the goal line. However, his availability has remained a concern throughout his Jets tenure, making him a strong candidate for the practice squad.

The same holds true for Ryan “Bump” Cooper, who has been a pillar of production in practices and the preseason. With a crowded depth chart at corner, the Jets can stash him on the practice squad, where he should clear waivers.

Safety

• Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, Malachi Moore, Dean Clark (4)
• Practice Squad: Jarius Monroe (1)

Undrafted rookie Dean Clark out of Fresno State secured a roster spot Saturday after recording three tackles, a sack, and an interception.

Clark, a strong safety, has shown a physical presence in the box while proving to be a reliable tackler who holds up in coverage.

The Jets essentially carry five safeties, with cornerback Isaiah Oliver offering versatility after playing nickel, boundary, and safety last season. Oliver also saw time at safety with the San Francisco 49ers under current Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

Special Teams

• Nick Folk, Austin McNamara, Thomas Hennessy (3)
• Practice Squad: Harrison Mevis (1)

No surprises here.

Nick Folk has secured the job over rookie Harrison Mevis, though the Jets keep Mevis on the practice squad.

Folk has been nearly automatic the past two seasons despite entering his 40s, but the Jets know how quickly a veteran kicker’s form can fade — just as it did with Greg Zuerlein last year.