Just days away from the NFL cutdown to 53-man rosters on Saturday, the New York Jets have plenty of decisions to make. Built around developing current talent while competing now and going forward, the Jets will have some difficult decisions to make. And with all the injuries in training camp, it only makes the roster more cloudy. Nevertheless, it is time to give it a shot. After spending weeks going position by position, preview after preview, it is time to predict the New York Jets roster and the 53 men that will wear Gotham Green on September 13th in Buffalo.
2020 New York Jets Preview Series: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Interior Offensive Lineman, Offensive Tackles, EDGE Defenders, Interior Defensive Lineman, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, Safeties
New York Jets Roster Prediction
Quarterbacks (3): Sam Darnold, Mike White*, James Morgan, (Hurt: Joe Flacco)
Without a doubt, the starting quarterback position is the easiest – Sam Darnold will be behind center Week 1. The third-year quarterback enters the most important of his career, mainly because he is behind a revamped offensive line. Having flashed his potential when in a clean pocket before, now it becomes a question of can he do it on a weekly basis.
Speaking of a weekly basis, the backup position will up in the air every week to start the year. Former Super Bowl MVP and 35-year old Joe Flacco’s neck injury last season will keep him out to begin the season. That being said, the backup job has been up for grabs in training camp. While the Jets spent a fourth-round pick on Florida International gunslinger James Morgan, it is unlikely he rises to anything more than the third-string quarterback this season. All of training camp, the competition has been between veteran David Fales and Mike White.
Fales has spent time in the past with head coach Adam Gase and White enters his second season in the Jets’ organization. The safe choice is Fales given his experience, but he has not had the strongest camp. With the hot hand coming out of training camp, do not be surprised if White is QB2 until Flacco is healthy.
Running Backs (3): Le’Veon Bell, Frank Gore, La’Mical Perine
The Jets have arguably the most established running back tandem in the league. Whether or not it is believed Le’Veon Bell or Frank Gore may be past their prime, their talent cannot be denied. Bell, coming off of a down season, has been said to be in top-notch shape now. Additionally, the 37-year old Gore has Adam Gase ready to take advantage of his committee back approach.
Behind Bell and Gore may be the most pleasant surprise of camp – rookie La’Mical Perine’s dominance. The fourth-round pick from Florida has impressed time and time again, displaying a great combination of speed and strength. By seasons end, he should be getting a fair amount of snaps. However, Perine suffered an ankle injury over the past week, leaving his Week 1 status to be determined. If he is healthy in time, the Jets will carry three backs, if not, Josh Adams is the next man up for Gang Green.
Wide Receivers (7): Breshad Perriman, Chris Hogan, Jamison Crowder (Slot), Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith, Josh Malone* (Hurt: Vyncint Smith)
Is there upside at the receiver position for the Jets? Absolutely! Breshad Perriman dominated when healthy down the stretch last season, which was a large part of why he was signed to replace Robby Anderson. Jamison Crowder’s connection with Darnold last season was hard to stop, and his backup Braxton Berrios is expected to see an increased role this season. And of course, second-round pick Denzel Mims is going to play a big role in the Jets offense. Except when might they all be on the field healthy?
The injury bug hit one of the positions the Jets desperately needed it not to during training camp. Mims just returned to practice after missing weeks on end. Perriman is practicing one day, but then off to the side the next. Backup and kick returner Vyncint Smith is already out an extended period of time, and the Jets are keeping their fingers crossed camp standout Jeff Smith returns healthy.
In the end, Perriman, Crowder, and late signee Chris Hogan will likely be the starting trio Week 1. Mims is likely to come off the bench to start to ease back into things, while Berrios also gets plenty of touches. Behind them, it is a toss-up between the injured Jeff Smith and standout undrafted rookie Lawrence Cager – who just returned to practice after a knee injury. One of the two will join Josh Malone as depth and special team pieces.
Tight Ends (4): Chris Herndon, Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco, Daniel Brown
With all the injuries to the receiver group, the Jets will be carrying four tight ends in 2020… and it makes for a very good unit. Chris Herndon returns healthy after a lost second season last year, giving Darnold his favorite target back. Also returning from injury is Ryan Griffin, who is a big red zone target for Darnold. His five touchdowns made for a career-high in 2019. Daniel Brown also returns as a capable special teamer and weapon in the passing game.
Yet one of the more unexpected developments out of training camp was the emergence of Trevon Wesco. The second-year tight end only saw two receptions his rookie year, but a fantastic training camp has him pushing Ryan Griffin as the team’s number two tight end. With his versatility in being able to line up at fullback too, expect an expanded role for Wesco early on.
Offensive Line (10): Mekhi Becton (LT), Alex Lewis (LG), Connor McGovern (C), Greg Van Roten (RG), George Fant (RT), Chuma Edoga, Jonotthan Harrison, Conor McDermott, Cameron Clark, Josh Andrews
The Jets revamped the entire offensive line, as this prediction has only four returning players. Rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton is a literal mountain, while athletic swing-tackle George Fant beats out former third-round pick Chuma Edoga at right tackle. Alex Lewis, Connor McGovern, and Greg Van Roten make up the interior offensive line. Backup Jonotthan Harrison returns for a third season, while Conor McDermott, Josh Andrews, and rookie Cameron Clark’s versatility give the Jets plenty of options along the front.
Defensive Line (6): Henry Anderson (LE), Steve McLendon (DT), Quinnen Williams (RE), Nathan Shepherd, Kyle Phillips, Folorunso Fatukasi
Now in his second season, the Jets are banking on 2019 third overall pick Quinnen Williams to have a breakout season. And he looks ready too. The young lineman appears to be in much better shape and is prepared to take on a bigger role in the pass rush. Opposite of him, the Jets are hoping Henry Anderson can get back to the player he was in 2018 after being banged up all of last season. And joining them will be veteran Steve McLendon at nose tackle once again. At 34-years old, McLendon will be phased out early on in favor of promising third-year lineman Folorunso Fatukasi. The Jets also retain Nathan Shepherd and Kyle Phillips, who’s versatility and great job last season as role players give the team quality depth.
Outside Linebackers (4): Jordan Jenkins (LOLB), Frankie Luvu (ROLB), Jabari Zuniga, Tarell Basham
The Jets brought back one of the few successful Mike Maccagnan picks in Jordan Jenkins on a one-year deal. He remains the team’s most reliable outside linebacker on the team. Rookie Jabari Zuniga will hopefully conclude the season as a starting outside linebacker. Though to start, Zuniga will likely be a role play at first. Thus, leaving either Tarell Basham or Frankie Luvu will be starting. With Basham’s injuries holding him out at camp, the speed rusher Luvu has the upper edge for starting Week 1.
Middle Linebackers (4): Avery Williamson (MLB1), Neville Hewitt (MLB2), Blake Cashman, James Burgess Jr* (Hurt: Patrick Onwuasor)
With CJ Mosley opting out of the 2020 season, the Jets are already down the quarterback of their defense. On the bright side, the return of Avery Williamson will be welcomed, who missed all of 2019 with a Torn ACL. After having taken a pay cut, Williamson should be a lock for the roster as he is their best linebacker. During training camp, it has been Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman taking first-team reps as Williamson is eased back in. Ultimately, Hewitt will be starting next to Williamson against the Buffalo Bills, with Cashman being rotated in often. James Burgess Jr brings a great depth and special teams piece behind them to begin the year. Meanwhile, Patrick Onwuasor will rejoin upon returning from a knee injury.
Cornerbacks (6): Pierre Desir (CB1), Blessuan Austin (CB2), Brian Poole (SLCB), Arthur Maulet, Nate Hairston*, Quincy Wilson (Hurt: Bryce Hall)
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will once again be looking to work his magic with a promising, but rather unproven cornerback unit. Pierre Desir and Brian Poole are true consistent vets, while Blessuan Austin will get the first go as CB2. From there, the Jets have Arthur Maulet, who impressed late last season as a starter. Nate Hairston brings experience in the system, despite his struggles with the team last season. Draft day acquisition Quincy Wilson has performed well in camp too. As Austin did last season, potential day three steal Bryce Hall could start on IR to continue his rehab and return down the stretch of the season.
Safeties (3): Marcus Maye (SS), Bradley McDougald (FS), Ashtyn Davis
Only three safeties? The Jets are managed to trade away Jamal Adams, one of the best safeties in the game, and still have a deep trio in the defensive backfield. Marcus Maye is a breakout candidate in replacing Adams’ in the do-it-all, box safety role. Bradley McDougald enters a contract season and is one of the league’s top man coverage safeties. But the most promising is rookie third-round pick Ashtyn Davis. The versatile Davis offers a kick return option and can play anywhere from slot corner to deep safety.
Special Teams (3): Sam Ficken (K), Braden Mann (P/KOS), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
While he may not have been perfect in 2019, Sam Ficken did enough in training camp to beat out Brett Maher for the kicking job. Braden Mann is going to handle kickoff duties and become one of the league’s better punters as a rookie. Thomas Hennessy enters his third year with the team as their long-term long snapper. Joining them will also be return specialist Braxton Berrios and Ashtyn Davis on kick returns until Vyncint Smith returns.
Last Word
The fact of the matter is only general manager Joe Douglas will know what this roster looks like before Saturday. In building to compete now and for the future, the Jets are set for a big season of development and talent evaluation. There are only so many days until the season begins, and it is time to buckle up Jets fans! This is a big one for the direction of this team under the Douglas regime.
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