Locks, trade bait, final cuts

The Jets are getting deep into coaching camp. They are of their fourth week of practices, and their second preseason recreation is developing Monday in opposition to the Falcons.

It seems like a great time for a 53-man roster projection.

The excellent news for the Jets is that this train is far harder this year than in any latest year I can keep in mind. There have been some years when I’ve executed an preliminary run on the 53-man roster and solely give you 35 gamers. This year, there have been some powerful selections to make.

Here is a take a look at what I count on proper now and a few ideas on every position:

QB (3): Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White

This one turned lots simpler after Wilson’s damage on Friday. There had been a question about whether or not the Jets would carry three quarterbacks on their roster. Now they should.

RB (4): Michael Carter, Breece Hall, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson

The finish is close to for 2020 draft decide La’Mical Perine, who has had some good moments in coaching camp. This position is just too crowded. Unless there may be an damage to the highest 4, he’s historical past. Undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight has had a very sturdy camp and may land on the apply squad.

WR (5): Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Garrett Wilson, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith

The first 4 are locks. Smith will get the sting over Denzel Mims as a result of he performs particular groups. The Jets try to get Mims concerned on particular groups, however I’m skeptical it should really occur. It wouldn’t be shocking if Mims will get traded earlier than final cuts. Calvin Jackson has been spectacular. He ought to have a spot on the apply squad.

TE (4): C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah

The prime three are new acquisitions who will certainly be on the staff. I’m going to offer Yeboah the nod over Trevon Wesco due to particular groups. Ruckert can also change Wesco as the first blocking tight finish.

OL (9): Duane Brown, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, George Fant, Dan Feeney, Max Mitchell, Conor McDermott, Chuma Edoga

I in all probability have one too many right here, however I believe Mitchell goes to be inactive for each recreation. I simply don’t assume the fourth-round decide is prepared. Feeney can play guard and heart. McDermott can play sort out and guard. Edoga could be the odd man out, however the Jets in all probability will grasp onto him as insurance coverage at sort out.

DL (10): Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Sheldon Rankins, Solomon Thomas, Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, Micheal Clemons, Bryce Huff, Nathan Shepherd

This is the hardest position on the staff to determine. The Jets have nice depth on the defensive position. That goes to result in some good gamers getting lower. Veteran Vinny Curry has battled a hamstring damage in camp, and he might be lower. The coaches love Huff, however he would possibly get caught in a numbers recreation.

LB (5): C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Kwon Alexander, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen

The starters are set, however there are questions on depth at this position. Adding Alexander definitely helped. He will begin within the base protection. Sherwood and Nasirildeen are simply of their second seasons making the transfer from security to linebacker. They are additionally special-teams contributors. Marcell Harris was taking part in lots earlier than Alexander arrived and Del’Shawn Phillips is a favourite of the teaching employees, however I believe each might be lower.

CB (6): Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols, Justin Hardee

This position has been considerably upgraded this offseason, and the trickle-down impact is obvious. Hall and Echols have gone from starters to backups, and gamers who have been backups final year now will land on the apply squad. Hardee is a special-teams ace. Javelin Guidry is on the bubble for me. He might be the backup at nickel for Carter, however I simply couldn’t squeeze him in. It wouldn’t be shocking, although, if he sticks.

S (4): Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Jason Pinnock, Ashtyn Davis

Whitehead is the one certain factor right here. Joyner has had an underwhelming camp, and it’s important to ponder whether the Jets would contemplate changing him. Pinnock has performed properly and seems like an ascending participant. Davis is hanging on by a thread, as are a number of members of the 2020 draft class. Elijah Riley and Will Parks have had good moments, however I can’t see the Jets retaining too many safeties.

ST (3): Greg Zuerlein (kicker), Braden Mann (punter), Thomas Hennessy (lengthy snapper)

The solely question right here is kicker. Eddy Pineiro is now coping with again tightness, and that offers Zuerlein the sting. It has been a great competitors, however I’m going with Zuerlein.

A welcome return

The postgame of Jets-Eagles on Friday evening was important for these of us who cover the Jets as a result of we have been again within the locker room for the primary time because the finish of the 2019 season. I do know followers don’t care a lot about what the media goes via, however being within the locker room after two years away from it due to COVID restrictions was important.

It struck me after I was driving residence from Philadelphia that I used to be assured the damage to Wilson was not important due to what I noticed within the locker room. Players have been upbeat, music was blaring and guys have been joking round. I’ve been in locker rooms after a participant is lost for the season, and this definitely was not that.

These are the sorts of insights that have been lost with out entry the locker room. It was powerful to have a really feel for the staff. In 2020, when the Jets began 0-13, individuals would ask concerning the temper across the staff. I may guess that it was not good, nevertheless it was not the identical as being in entrance of fellows and with the ability to speak about it with them. It was arduous to gauge whether or not they had packed it in for the season as a result of we couldn’t see up shut whether or not they had given up.

That’s what made Friday a welcome return. I can now sit up for an everyday season after we can go into the locker room through the week and discuss to gamers. It enhances the protection and helps us let the followers know what is really occurring.

Stat’s so

Joe Flacco is in line to start out the season opener in opposition to the Ravens with Zach Wilson recovering from knee surgical procedure. Here is how Flacco has fared over the previous three seasons since he left the Ravens. He has performed for the Broncos (2019) and Jets (2020, 2021), and has a 2-11 document as a starter:

15 video games
13 begins
272 completions
438 makes an attempt
62.1 comp. pct.
3,024 yards
15 TDs
8 INTs
86.4 passer score