Open Rants by CoachBowlesStats

As preseason winds down, reports circulate about who will make it onto the 53-man rosters of the 32 teams in the NFL. With cut date only nine days away (September 1), it is time to begin speculating about who will be on the Jets' roster when the season begins. Without further ado, here's my prediction:

QB: Josh McCown, SAM DARNOLD, Teddy Bridgewater

Cuts: None

Yes, the Jets will try to trade Bridgewater before the season begins. However, Rich Cimini recently reported that there is currently "no market" out there for Bridgewater. If the Jets cannot trade Bridgewater before the season begins, he will be stashed on the 53-man roster.



RB: Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell, TRENTON CANNON, Elijah McGuire

Cuts: Rawls, Atkinson

Though Atkinson had some flashes in the first two preseason games, this decision is a fairly easy one since our backfield is deep. The only "drama" on cut day will be whether or McGuire is healthy enough to be placed on the 53-man roster or if he'll have to be placed on short-term IR.



FB: Lawrence Thomas

Cuts: Flowers

UDFA Dimitri Flowers impressed early in camp, but last year's starter Lawrence Thomas appears to be the favorite to win the job in 2018. Thomas, at 286 lbs and with experience at defensive line, is physically daunting, and he even caught some balls in 2017. It is not a guarantee that the Jets will even keep a fullback in 2018, however.



WR: Robbie Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, Tre McBride, Andre Roberts

Cuts: Hansen, Johnson, Whitehead, Peake

Chad Hansen, though he had a strong minicamp, had a quiet training camp and preseason, which may prompt Mike Maccagnan to part ways with the 2017 draft selection. Charles Johnson has impressed during camp, and he is a strong candidate to be retained if the Jets elect to keep 7 receivers, but McBride has thus far outshined him. Andre Roberts has won the punt returning battle, so expect him to get the nod over Lucky Whitehead.



TE: Jordan Leggett, CHRIS HERNDON IV, Eric Tomlinson

Cuts: Sterling, Walford

Cimini called Leggett, Herndon IV, and Tomlinson locks to make the team. Tomlinson has versatility as a blocker that may allow the Jets to go without a fullback, and he even has been working on his long snapping. Sterling and Walford looked good in the first preseason game, but it appears their only chance to make the team is if the Jets carry four tight ends.



T: Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell, Brent Qvale, Tony Garcia

Cuts: Braden, James

Beachum and Shell are the starters, and Qvale has been playing in Beachum's absence. Tony Garcia, former Patriots' third round pick, has enough potential to warrant keeping on the roster for 2018, and he seems now to be the favorite over rookie Ben Braden. 



G: James Carpenter, Brian Winters, Jonotthon Harrison

Cuts: Shepley, Dozier, Balducci

Carpenter and Winters are the starters, and Harrison makes the roster because he’s got versatility at guard and center and he’s been playing in Winters’ absence. Dakota Dozier has a shot, but roster spots are limited, and the Jets may opt to only keep 9 offensive linemen. 



C: Spencer Long, Travis Swanson

Cuts: Gino Gradkowski

Swanson may‘ve lost the battle to Jonotthon Harrison as backup center, but he can still be retained, as the Jets still have weak depth at interior offensive line. Gradkowski was just brought in as a training camp body, and he is not expected to compete for a roster spot. 



IDL: Leonard Williams, NATHAN SHEPHERD, Henry Anderson, FOLEY FATUSAKI, Xavier Cooper

Cuts: Thomas, Reyes

As a sixth round draft pick, Fatusaki is likely to be retained, as the Jets hope for him to one day compete at nose tackle. Cooper has had a strong camp, but he is not a guarantee to make the roster since he’d be the seventh defensive linemen on a 3-4 team.



NT: Steve McLendon, Mike Pennel

Cuts: Simon

McLendon is perhaps the Jets’ best player, and he is among the best nose tackles in the NFL. Mike Pennel is a massive interior presence, and he will likely be retained as the backup nose tackle. 



EDGE: Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin, Brandin Copeland, FRANKIE LUVU

Cuts: Mauldin, Bass, Gwacham

Luvu has been a training camp standout as an undrafted free agent, and he has gotten first team reps. If the Jets keep five outside linebackers, expect David Bass to get the nod. 



ILB: Avery Williamson, Darron Lee, Kevin Minter, Neville Hewitt

Cuts: Wint

Williamson is the starting MIKE, Lee is the starting WILL. Inside linebackers are very important to the 3-4, so while Minter and Hewitt, who’s had a good camp, should be on notice, they are likely candidates to make the roster. 



CB: Trumaine Johnson, Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, PARRY NICKERSON, Darryl Roberts, Derrick Jones

Cuts: Burris, Clark, Sinkfield, Coleman

Derrick Jones is a 6’2” corner with outside potential who had an impressive start to camp. Juston Burris should not be ruled out, but spots are limited, and Jones has outshined him thus far. 



SS: Jamal Adams

Cuts: Brooks, Rodgers II, Bryant

Adams is a lock. Brandon Bryant is an athletic rookie who the Jets picked up following the supplemental draft, but it appears he may not make the roster, as New York may look to stash him on the practice squad. Terrence Brooks has supposedly also looked decent, but Doug Middleton has supposedly outshined him. 



FS: Marcus Maye, Doug Middleton

Cuts: Wilcox

Maye impressed last year as a second round pick, and Middleton has gotten first team reps at free safety during training camp. They both appear to be locks to make the final roster. 



K: Jason Myers

Cuts: Bertolet

Bertolet has looked alright as an undrafted youngster, but it appears the Jets may go the veteran route at kicker. Jason Myers was claimed mid-camp, and he’s expected to be the kicker, barring another veteran signing. 



P: Lachlan Edwards

Cuts: None

After a rocky rookie campaign, Edwards was one of the top punters in the AFC in 2018. He’ll be the guy week 1. 



LS: Thomas Hennessy

Cuts: None

Hennessy was fine last year for the Jets, and it appears he’ll get another go in 2018, as he’s the only long snapper on the roster.

12/22/2020 - 8 Potential Head Coach Candidates
10/21/2020 - Brief Writeup on 10 Top Candidates for Head Coach Vacancies in 2021
11/14/2019 - Writeup on 12 Potential 2020 Head Coach Candidates
2/24/2019 - The Bill Walsh Coaching Forest
8/23/2018 - Projecting the Jets' 53-man Roster