Training camp for the NFL has finally started this week. The New York Jets have very high expectations heading into this season after an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. They have the fourth most talented roster in the NFL for the 2024 season according to Pro Football Focus. With that being said, this will not be an easy roster to make so let’s take a look at my predictions for the roster.
Quarterback – 2
QB Aaron Rodgers, QB Tyrod Taylor
I believe that they will only keep two quarterbacks so they can leave room for another position on the roster. With the new emergency quarterback rule in the NFL, there really is no need to keep more than two quarterbacks on any roster, in my opinion.
Running Back/Fullback – 5
RB Breece Hall, RB Israiel Abanikanda, RB Braelon Allen, RB Tarik Cohen, FB Nick Bawden
Hall is an obvious choice here. But after that, it gets a little confusing. Abanikanda didn’t get too much playing time last season due to Michael Carter and Dalvin Cook being on the roster, but I still think they give him another shot. Competing with him for RB2 will be Braelon Allen, who they took in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Admittedly, Tarik Cohen is an interesting pick here since he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2020. Cohen was a former All-Pro as a return specialist and with the new kickoff rules I think the Jets might give him a shot if he preforms well in training camp and the preseason.
Wide Receiver- 7
WR Garrett Wilson, WR Mike Williams, WR Allen Lazard, WR Malachi Coorley, WR Xavier Gipson, WR Jason Brownlee, WR Malik Taylor
I don’t believe that there will be any surprises here at receiver. There might be a chance that Mike Williams begins the season on the IR due to his ACL recovery. Lazard is on a big contract with the Jets and did not play last season but also did not get to play the full season with Aaron Rodgers who he played his whole career with in Green Bay so I think they keep him around. Coorley the rookie and Gipson I have no doubt will make the team but Brownlee and Taylor could be up in the air.
Tight End- 3
TE Tyler Conklin, TE Jeremy Ruckert, TE Zack Kuntz
Conklin is coming off another season where he was a reliable target for quarterbacks. Due to the departure the of CJ Uzomah, the 2020 draft pick Ruckert will see lot more playing time. Kuntz, who was drafted in 2023 only appeared in one game for the team last season but I see them giving him a spot on the active roster this year.
Offensive Line – 10
OT Tyron Smith, OT Morgan Moses, G John Simpson, G Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Joe Tippman, OT Olu Fashanu, OT Max Mitchell, OT Carter Warren, OL Wes Schweitzer, OL Austin Deculus
Smith was signed this offseason, as probably the biggest addition to protect the blind side of Aaron Rodgers, something the Jets heavily lacked last season. Moses was acquired from the Ravens to play right tackle and also has experience with the Jets as he played there in 2021. Simpson also came over from the Ravens in the offseason via free agency.
Vera-Tucker is coming off back to back seasons with season ending injuries and is looking to bounce back. I think he can play like the first round draft pick he was back in 2020. Tippman is coming off a strong rookie campaign last season and hopefully can build off of that.
I would assume those five would be the starters, barring any injuries. Fashanu should be on the roster as their 2024 first round draft pick. And Mitchell, Warren, Schweitzer and Deculus would be my picks for depth on the line.
Defensive Line/Edge – 7
DL Quinnen Williams, DL Javon Kinlaw, DL Solomon Thomas, DL Michael Clemons, DL Leki Fotu, EDGE Will McDonald IV, EDGE Hasson Reddick
Williams is coming off another Pro Bowl season and is one of the top interior defensive lineman in the league. Kinlaw came over from the 49ers in free agency where he had 3.5 sacks last season. Thomas and Clemons both are returning this season and have been reliable members of the defense the past couple seasons. Fotu signed in free agency from the Cardinals and should make the roster. McDonald was the Jets 2023 first round selection so he will be returning. Reddick was acquired from the Eagles in the offseason where the veteran had 13 sacks last season.
Linebackers – 6
LB CJ Mosely, LB Quincy Williams, LB Jermaine Johnson, LB Jamien Sherwood, LB Zaire Barnes, LB Chazz Surratt
Mosely has been the backbone of the Jets defense for the last couple of years. And Williams really broke out on the scene last season after having a career year. Johnson, the 2022 first round pick, also had a breakout season but he will rotate between linebacker and edge rusher this season if I had to guess. Sherwood had a good amount of playing time last season and I would assume he would be back. Barnes and Surratt should be rotation guys or play special teams.
Defensive Back – 10
CB Sauce Gardner, CB DJ Reed, CB Michael Carter II, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB Brandin Echols, S Tony Adams, S Chuck Clark, S Ashtyn Davis, DB Jalen Key, DB Jarrick Benard-Converse
Gardner and Reed need no explanation as they are one of the top cornerback duos in the NFL. Carter II is coming off of a great season where he primarily played in the nickel. Stiggers was a fifth round pick this season out of the Canadian Football League and I believe he will have a great shot to make this roster. Echols is also a veteran cornerback with 3 interceptions and 2 touchdowns in his career that I could see returning to the defense. Adams is also coming off of a great season last year where he racked up 3 interceptions. Davis had 3 interceptions last year as well, and I see him returning to the squad.
Clark missed all season in 2023 due to a torn ACL, but I fully expect him to be back this season with a vengeance. Key was the 2024 “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick in the draft, but I could see him having a relevant role on the Jets. Lastly, Benard-Converse was a sixth round pick in 2023 but didn’t see the field much last season as he made his debut in week 11. But I can see him making the team this season as depth or on special teams.
Special Teams- 3
K Greg Zuerlein, P Thomas Morstead, LS Thomas Hennessy
Greg the leg is returning for his 13th NFL season and Morstead is returning for his 16th. Hennessy who (fun fact) is actually the longest tenured Jet on the roster will also be returning for his 8th season.
