New York Jets keep four running backs, three UDFA rookies on 53-man roster | Sporting News

The New York Jets hammered out their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon, moving a total of 37 players. 

Although there were no unexpected cuts, there are multiple rarities amongst Gang Green’s 53. 

The Jets kept four running backs with 2023 fifth-round draft pick Israel Abanikanda surviving following his impressive preseason finale. In another unusual occurrence, New York found roster spots for three undrafted rookie defensive linemen — Leonard Taylor III (Miami), Braiden McGregor (Michigan) and Eric Watts (Connecticut).

In a strategy not often followed by NFL teams, Gang Green will have seven wide receivers on the roster, including sophomore Jason Brownlee and special teams ace Irvin Charles. 

The Jets are keeping only two quarterbacks for the time being but could be in the market to add one on a Practice Squad deal. 

In terms of roster long shots, veteran Takk McKinley did enough to earn his spot. The former Atlanta Falcons’ first-round draft pick, who was out of football for more than one year, impressed throughout training camp. 

Free-agent defensive line addition Leki Fotu along with veteran tight end Kenny Yeboah will start the season on Injured Reserve while rookie quarterback Jordan Travis is on the Non-Football Injury list. 

All non-veterans must pass through the NFL waivers system while players with four years of service time can immediately sign with any team.

RELEASED / WAIVED JETS

CB Shemar Bartholomew 
The Georgia Southern product signed an UDFA contract with the Jets and showed up during preseason play. Bartholomew recorded seven tackles and two passes defensed, but seemingly had no realistic path to a CB spot. 

S Al Blades Jr.
The undrafted rookie from Duke was relatively quiet this summer and never climbed the depth chart.

RS Brandon Codrington (Traded)
The Jets traded the rookie return specialist to the Bills on Tuesday afternoon in an exchange that also involved 2026 late-round draft picks. 

OL Austin Deculus
The offensive tackle was waived by the Houston Texans last November and subsequently joined the Jets’ injury-ravaged offensive line group. He was a 2022 sixth-round draft pick.

LB Sam Eguavoen 
The 31-year-old linebacker, who possesses special teams ability, made 15 appearances for New York last year after a tenure with the Miami Dolphins.

OL Obinna Eze 
The Jets signed the former USFL offensive tackle to the Practice Squad last December, but he failed to stand out. 

TE Anthony Firkser 
The Jets signed the veteran tight end on July 30 while releasing fullback Nick Bawden. Most recently with the Detroit Lions, the New Jersey-born Firkser has played in 71 NFL career games.

OL Chris Glaser 
The offensive guard initially joined the Jets’ Practice Squad in 2022. He earned two starts in 2023 and could return in a reserve role.

OL Jake Hanson 
The former Green Bay Packers center joined the Jets during the 2023 campaign and appeared in seven games.

WR Tyler Harrell 
The Miami product was not drafted and did not pop during his preseason opportunity. Harrell played in all three games, garnering three receiving targets and making one 19-yard reception.

DL Bruce Hector 
Hector, who had a stint in the XFL, initially signed with New York after the 2023 Hall of Fame Game and proceeded to land on the Practice Squad. 

LB Anthony Hines
The former Los Angeles Rams’ P-Squad player landed with the Jets on August 12 after rookie linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo was lost to injury in the preseason opener.

DL Jalyn Holmes 
The 28-year-old Holmes began the 2023 season on New York’s Practice Squad before making five regular season appearances. 

RB Deon Jackson 
The former Indianapolis Colts starter was a mid-summer signing in response to Tarik Cohen’s retirement, but remained behind Abanikanda and Valladay in the pecking order. 

S Jalen Key 
Mr. Irrelevant always makes for a good story, but Key’s development has not yet reached a point where it justifies a roster spot.

TE Zack Kuntz 
The physical unicorn, a 2023 seventh-round draft pick, has been slow to progress as a football player and showed no improvement as a pass-catcher from last year.

OL Brady Latham 
The left guard, a four-year starter at Arkansas, was one of 17 undrafted rookie free agents to initially sign with New York. He turned out to be mainly a camp body. 

OL Kohl Levao 
The UFL product posted a strong 77.7 PFF grade in the preseason and could be headed for a P-Squad deal. 

QB Adrian Martinez
The 2024 UFL MVP joined the Jets one week into training camp and appeared during all three exhibition games. He went 25-of-47 passing for 270 yards and one interception.

LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball  
The former 49ers’ undrafted free agent made his NFL debut with the Jets, playing in two games last year. 

WR Lance McCutcheon 
After spending the 2023 campaign as a Jets’ Practice Squad player, the Montana State product caught 2 of 7 receiving targets this preseason.

S Jarius Monroe 
The 2024 East West Shrine Bowl Defensive MVP proved to be nothing more than a camp body.

QB Andrew Peasley 
The undrafted rookie out of Wyoming completed 60.6 percent of passes while posting an 85.5 quarterback rating during preseason play. 

TE Lincoln Sefcik 
The Jets took a flier on the South Alabama product, who was not drafted, but was quickly overshadowed in training camp by Firkser.

K Austin Seibert 
With Greg Zuerlein as the primary kicker, Seibert was a luxury for the Jets and performed exceptionally well this summer. He’ll most likely find a job elsewhere. 

CB Kendall Sheffield 
The Jets released cornerback Nehemiah Shelton and replaced him with Sheffield during the first week of camp. The former fourth-round pick has familiarity with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich from their shared time as Atlanta Falcons. 

LB Jackson Sirmon
Undrafted out of Cal, Sirmon agreed to terms as a member of the Jets’ rookie class in April. He made seven preseason tackles.

DL Tanzel Smart
Smart has been with the Jets since 2020, routinely bouncing in between the Practice Squad and active roster. 

WR Brandon Smith 
Smith has spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals, but has yet to appear in a regular season game. The former UFL player signed on August 2 and proceeded to lead the team with 120 preseason receiving yards. 

CB Tre Swilling 
The Jets signed the former 49ers cornerback on August 2. He totaled two tackles and one pass breakup on defense and forced a fumble on special teams.

DL Jaylen Twyman
The former Dolphins’ defensive tackle joined the Jets on August 18, making one tackle in the preseason finale.

OL Willie Tyler III 
The ultimate college journeyman possesses intriguing physical attributes, but is nowhere refined enough for the NFL level.

RB Xazavian Valladay
The former Arizona State running back spent his rookie season on the Jets’ Practice Squad. He was the leading receiver with 62 yards in the preseason win over the Giants, but there was too much drafted talent ahead of him on the depth chart.

WR Isaiah Winstead 
As a rookie, Winstead spent 13 weeks on the San Francisco 49ers’ Practice Squad last year before playing for the UFL’s Arlington Renegades this spring. He was targeted four times and made no catches in the preseason. 

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