New York Jets 53-man roster prediction heading into 2024 season | Sporting News

The Jets’ offseason workouts ramp up in June. OTAs conclude on Friday, mandatory minicamps begin next week and training camp starts later in July before the preseason kicks off on Aug. 10 against the Commanders.

Depth charts will begin to shake out over the next few weeks where the Jets will have tough decisions with their 90-man roster. By the end of the summer, New York will have whittled its team down to just 53 men ahead of the 2024 season.

Positional battles and other minute transactions will dominate the NFL news cycle between now and then, though. There may even be a trade or two mixed in for New York. The most unideal situation is a devastating season-ending injury that upends the Jets’ plans at certain positions.

JETS 2024 SEASON: Full schedule | Draft class | Biggest revenge games | Top-5 matchups

For now, though, we can only predict what the Jets’ 53-man roster will look like before New York suits up for a Week 1 contest against the 49ers on Monday Night Football.

Here is The Sporting News’ prediction for the Jets’ roster.

New York Jets 53-man roster prediction heading into 2024 season

Quarterback (3)

Starter: Aaron Rodgers

Backups: Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis

This was the easiest position to break down for New York. Rodgers is the unquestioned Week 1 starter and Taylor is his primary backup. Travis, the Jets’ fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, could be the heir apparent to Rodgers. The Jets will have to keep Travis on their active roster unless his ankle injury allows New York to place him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to open the year.

Running back (4)

Starter: Breece Hall

Backups: Braelon Allen, Tarik Cohen, Isaiah Davis

Hall is the unquestioned No. 1 running back for the Jets. His backup situation is up in the air, though. Allen, the fourth-rounder from Wisconsin, appears to have the inside track to the primary No. 2 running back role. New York also signed Cohen to be a return specialist, so his job should be safe. That leaves at least one spot left for this position and two if the Jets don’t roster a fullback.

In this scenario, I believe the Jets keep the other running back they drafted in 2024, Isaiah Davis, and cut Izzy Abanikanda and fullback Nick Bawden. Abanikanda’s skillset as a running back and return specialist isn’t good enough to keep his roster spot and the Jets don’t need a fullback in Bawden. Both are practice squad candidates.

MORE: Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson among Jets’ most expensive upcoming contracts

Wide receiver (6)

Starters: Garrett Wilson, Malachi Corley, Mike Williams

Backups: Xavier Gipson, Allen Lazard, Jason Brownlee

There is a possibility Williams opens the season on the PUP list while he recovers from his ACL injury, meaning there could be an extra roster spot available, either in this group or otherwise. His roster spot is safe, though, as are Wilson’s and Corley’s. Lazard won’t be cut, either, mostly because of his friendship with Rodgers and the dead cap hit that would come with his release.

Gipson is a great return specialist and should work with Cohen on kickoffs and/or punts. Meanwhile, Brownlee always turns heads at practice and should get a good look at the Week 1 roster if the Jets want to field six receivers, especially if Williams opens the year on the PUP.

MORE: New York Jets have a top-5 roster heading into 2024

Tight end (2)

Starter: Tyler Conklin

Backup: Jeremy Ruckert

The decision not to draft Brock Bowers in the first round meant the Jets trust Conklin as Rodgers’ No. 1 tight end. He’s been solid as well since he joined the Jets two years ago. New York released C.J. Uzomah earlier this offseason which should mean more snaps for Ruckert two years after the Jets drafted him in the third round.

Offensive linemen (10)

Starters: LT Tyron Smith, LG John Simpson, C Joe Tippman, RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, RT Morgan Moses

Backups: LT Olu Fashanu, RT Carter Warren, RG Max Mitchell, C Wes Schweitzer, LG Xavier Newman

The Jets’ 2024 offensive line features three new starters in Smith, Simpson and Moses. New York added another key depth piece in first-round rookie Olu Fashanu. There really shouldn’t be too much uncertainty on the offensive line unless one of the backups emerges in training camp or an injury changes things.

Defensive line (10)

Starters: DE Jermaine Johnson, DT Javon Kinlaw, DT Quinnen Williams, DE Haason Reddick

Backups: DE Michael Clemons, DE Will McDonald IV, DT Solomon Thomas, DT Tanzel Smart, DT Leonard Taylor III, DT Foti Leku

This is perhaps the deepest and youngest unit on the Jets. Williams is this group’s centerpiece, but the collection of edge rushers around him cannot be discounted between Reddick, Johnson, Clemons and McDonald. The backups behind Williams will be the biggest question mark considering the potential depth with Thomas, Smart and 2024 undrafted free agent Taylor.

MORE: Jets 2024 offseason moves get mostly positive reviews

Linebackers (5)

Starters: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams

Backups: Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes, Samuel Eguavoen

A mostly similar group to the one from 2023. Mosley and Williams are one of the most underrated starting linebacker duos in the league given their recent productivity. The backups are all interchangeable, though, so it’s anyone’s guess who will rise to the top of the group.

MORE: 5 Jets who need a breakout season in 2024

Cornerback (6)

Starters: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II

Backups: Qwan’tez Stiggers, Brandin Echols, Myles Jones

Gardner and Reed are top-10 cornerbacks, while Carter II continues to be one of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league. The most interesting player of this group is Stiggers, who the Jets drafted in the sixth round after he played in the CFL this past season. Echols will be playing for his NFL future after being demoted to the bench two years ago.

Safety (4)

Starters: Chuck Clark, Tony Adams

Backups: Isaiah Oliver, Ashtyn Davis

Clark is a veteran and Adams is a homegrown player with starting experience. However, their starting roles aren’t safe this offseason. Saleh already mentioned it will be an open competition between those two, Oliver and Davis. Seventh-round rookie Jaylin Key could make things interesting, but he’s more than likely a practice squad candidate.

Special teams (3)

Starters: K Greg Zuerlein, P Thomas Morstead, LS Thomas Hennessy