The New York Jets will be forced to cut good players in order to cut down to the final 53-man roster for Tuesday.

I am by no means an NFL general manager, and some of these decisions were very hard to make. But here’s a prediction for what the Jets roster will look like come Week 1.

Quarterback: Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Chris Streveler

The only surprise here should be Streveler lasting over Mike White. While the Bengal Slayer’s run will live forever in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Streveler has come in to relieve White in all his preseason appearances, earning three comeback victories. Douglas will find some value in trading a backup to some quarterback-needy team. White for a 5th rounder, anyone?

Running Back: Breece Hall, Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman, Bam Knight

It’s time to move on from Lamical Perine and Ty Johnson. Thank them for their service, and spend the limited running back room on young talent that will contribute in far greater efforts than the other veterans could. While Bam Knight might not fully be deserving of a 53-man spot straight up, Joe Douglas can’t risk him being poached off the practice squad.

Tight End: Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzomah, Jeremey Ruckert, Lawrence Cager

Tyler Conklin’s arrival to the New York Jets has been far more impactful than anyone could have imagined. This tight end room has been completely upgraded from what the team had last year. Two legitimate starters, and two future impact players. Kenny Yeboah will spend another season on the practice squad. Lawrence Cager finally makes the 53, in similar reason to Bam Knight. If Cager doesn’t make the 53, he won’t be a Jet for long.

Wide Receiver: Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Garret Wilson, Braxton Berrios, Denzel Mims

I wasn’t ever sure about Mims and his future with the organization. But Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas seem pretty adamant about him making the roster. They fielded trade calls for him, but Saleh said he was one of the best 53 players they had. I don’t see the team keeping six wide receivers, so Jeff Smith is the odd man out. Hopefully Calvin Jackson, the JUCO product who has dominated the second half of preseason games can stick to the practice squad. 

Offensive Line: George Fant, Duane Brown, AVT, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Max Mitchell, Dan Feeney, Nate Herbig, Ross Pierchbacher

It’s a far better offensive line than last year, even with Mekhi Becton forced to miss another season after a knee cap fracture. Duane Brown and Laken Tomlinson are two major Pro Bowl veterans to solidify the offensive line. The likes of Nate Herbig and Ross Pierchbacher were highly valued free agents to start on other NFL teams. Instead, they’ll back up the Jets offensive line, that frequently has injury problems throughout the season. Good depth to have.  

Defensive Line: Quinnen Williams, Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Meyers, Solomon Thomas, Michael Clemons, Bryce Huff, Jacob Martin, Jermaine Johnson, Tanzel Smart

There’s better, younger talent than the likes of Vinny Curry or Sheldon Rankins. After losing Carl Lawson to an ACL tear last season, the Jets pass rush disappeared almost entirely. This year, Joe Douglas made sure that wouldn’t happen. Michael Clemons seems to be an absurd value from the Draft, Bryce Huff and Jacob Martin are proving to be good backups to give starters a breather, and Tanzel Smart has been a man possessed all preseason. 

Linebacker: CJ Mosley, Kwon Alexander, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen, DQ Thomas

It’s certainly the weakest position group for the New York Jets, but the addition of Kwon Alexander along side CJ Mosley and the fast Williams should be enough to clean up what the monstrous defensive line obliterates. 

Safety: Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner, Jason Pinnock, Ashtyn Davis, Will Parks 

Tony Adams will make the practice squad. Jordan Whitehead and Lamarcus Joyner will start for the team after letting Marcus Maye walk. Jason Pinnock has been developing nicely as a safety after transitioning from cornerback. Pinnock and Davis will have to contribute at some point, although given his track record the later will be on a short leash. The Jets will need to spend 2023 finding a long-term solution at free safety. Joyner is 31, after all.

Cornerback: Sauce Garnder, DJ Reed, Bryce Hall, Brandon Echols, Michael Carter II 

Justin Hardee, despite his captaincy has been nothing but an okay-player on special teams. His leadership will always be valued, but when younger players can do more, that will always be the replacement. Preseason showed us one thing: Hardee can’t player the actual cornerback position. Let a very deep cornerback room handle the other special teams manners. Isaiah Dunn to the practice squad. 

Specialists: Braden Mann, Greg Zeurlein, Thomas Hennessey

The most straightforward decisions. There’s no other punter, kicker, or longsnapper on the roster. Greg “The Leg” beat out incumbent Eddie Pinero. He wins the job.

Jets Ready to Take Flight?

The starter’s I’m pretty confident in. But when it comes to who the 52nd and 53rd man on the roster are, only Joe Douglas and his staff know the reasoning behind it. Even with a very difficult upcoming schedule, this roster should be fun to watch. There’s seldom holes on the roster now. Guys need to play at a professional level.