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The New York Jets’ 2024 draft class has been finalized and they have signed the team has signed enough undrafted free agents to where the 90-man roster limit is close to being full.
So, of course, we have to go ahead and project who wins said competitions. That's just part of the game, right?
Let's dive in.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2024 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (3)
In: Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis *
Out: Peewee Jarrett**, Darren Grainger**
The skinny: With Aaron Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury, it will be his show throughout the entire organization. The only question going into this offseason would be who would back him up and the Jets answered that on the first night of legal tampering signing veteran backup Tyrod Taylor to a two year $18 million deal. Travis is a long term developmental project.
Running back (5)
In: Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Nick Bawden, Braelon Allen*, Isaiah Davis*
Out: Jacques Patrick, Xazavian Valladay,
The skinny: The Jets inexplicably drafted two running backs in the 2024 NFL draft so it would be crazy to think neither of them make the roster. Breece is the work horse and Bawden is a true full back and special teamer. Last year’s fifth rounder Abanikanda is more of a flash runner than either of the rookies the Jets brought in.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley*, Irvin Charles
Out: Jason Brownlee, Lance McCutheon, Malik Taylor, Tyler Harrell**,
How we got here: Thank goodness for guaranteed money, because it is the only thing keeping Allen Lazard on the roster at this point. Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams will be the starters with Gipson and Lazard hoping to be the slot receiver. Corley will work his way in as the Jets try and figure out how to use him. In the end the decision will come down to Taylor, Brownlee and Charles for the final roster spot. I gave the edge here to Charles due to special teams.
Tight End (3)
Presumed starter(s): Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah
Out: Zack Kuntz, Lincoln Sefcik**
The skinny: Conklin is a good security blanket for Rodgers and Ruckert showed growth from years one to two and the Jets will hope for even more in year three. The Jets like Yeboah enough to re-sign him this year which leaves the developmental pick from last year on the bubble.
Offensive Line (9)
In: Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses, Olu Fashanu*, Wes Schweitzer, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren
Out: Xavier Newman, Jake Hanson, Vitaliy Gurman, Chris Glaser, Obinna Eze, Austin Deculus, Brady Latham**,
The skinny: The Jets had a lot of work to do on the offensive line and Joe Douglas retooled over half of the starters. What will be most interesting is to see how they utilize first round pick Olu Fashanu given that Tyron Smith is already cemented as the starter. With injury concerns all over the place, it is likely we will see all nine guys listed at some point during the season.
Defensive Line (5)
In: Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Leonard Taylor III**
Out: Tanzel Smart, Manny Jones, Bruce Hector,
The skinny: Robert Saleh’s defense is built around a true rotation of guys to keep his players fresh. All the defensive linemen who make the active roster see some playing time during the game, so it was important for Douglas to add some depth to the position. Fotu will replace the recently departed Al Woods as a run stuffer on the inside while Javon Kinlaw will likely see most of the work after signing a one-year deal to come over from the San Francisco 49ers. Leonard Taylor out of Miami had a mid-round grade by a lot of draft pundits but wound up going undrafted to the Jets. If he can show a chip on his shoulder, he has the ability to make the roster.
Edge (5)
In: Jermaine Johnson, Haason Reddick, Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor**
Out: Jalyn Holmes, Marquiss Spencer, Eric Watts**
The skinny: The Jets gave Jonathan Franklin-Myers away for nothing in a cost cutting move and will now need to rely on last year’s first round selection, Will McDonald to make a leap and provide some sort of depth to this group. Reddick is a beast on the outside and will provide the Jets with a true matchup nightmare. Micheal Clemons likely bounces back outside after moving inside last season. One of the hardest decisions I had for the 53 was choosing between Braiden McGregor and Eric Watts, both undrafted rookies as being the final piece. In the end, I took the guy from the Championship team.
Linebacker (4)
In: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes,
Out: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Chazz Surratt, Jackson Sirmon**, Jeremy Lewis**, Jimmy Ciarlo**
The skinny: Surratt is a Saleh favorite, but this might be the year that Jets finally have to let him go in place of some other needs. It may come down to Barnes vs. Surratt. Don’t sleep on Ciarlo out of Army as he can be a special teams beast.
Cornerback (6)
In: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Brandin Echols, Qwan’tez Stiggers*
Out: Tae Hayes, Jarius Monroe**
The skinny: The Jets boast one of the best groups of corner backs in the league, led by Sauce Gardner. Michael Carter is one of the best slot corners in the game. The Jets added Isaiah Oliver from the 49ers for depth and special teams, but he would be good enough to challenge for a starting spot on a lot of other teams. Stiggers’ role will be determined by how much he can learn during training camp. With Reed, Carter, Oliver and Echols all on the final year of their respective deals, the Jets might look to push Stiggers to see if they can save some money next season.
Safety (4)
In: Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Jarrick Bernard-Converse
Out: Jaylen Key*, Shyheim Battle**, Tre Jenkins**,
The skinny: Saleh liked Chuck Clark enough to trade for him before last season, only to watch him get hurt in training camp and never suit up for the Jets. They re-signed him to finally get him on the field this year. A similar story for JBR who was hurt most of his rookie year. The Jets brought back Ashtyn Davis after a fantastic great season. Mr. Irrelevant Jaylen Key will find himself a victim of the numbers game but will likely wind up on the practice squad.
Specialists (3)
In: Greg Zuerlein (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
Out: Austin Seibert
The skinny: The Jets liked what they saw so much in both their punter and kicker last season that they made sure to re-sign both guys and give them nice pay raises. Both guys are older but do their respective jobs very well.
Overall, the Jets roster is really talented on paper, arguably one of the best in the league. But the game isn’t played on paper. There are definitely some injury concerns and some depth issues at some key areas. If Rodgers misses any significant time, the Jets will be in trouble, but with Tyrod Taylor on the roster, a few games shouldn’t kill this team.
In the end this team will go as far as this piece-meal offensive line can take them along with their 40-year-old quarterback.
More must-reads:
- Highlighting AFC East blockbuster games of 2024 season
- Highlighting NFC East blockbuster games of 2024 season
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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