How the New York Jets final 53-man roster gets assembled is an interesting project considering many situations, including the quarterback.

It’s sort of like a Rubik’s Cube.

Constructing a 53-man National Football League roster may seem easy – mainly because of that rather large number of 53 – but it’s not. On the contrary, it’s quite difficult. It’s extremely challenging.

Only a rough outlined sketch of the roster could be drawn up during the spring time fun activities of voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Things change at the drop of a hat in this league.

Then, suddenly, training camp comes.

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The hot August creates incredible injuries and absurd storylines in and around the locker room. Come to think of it, the New York Jets will have extraordinary storylines this August (thank you Mike Maccagnan and Ryan Fitzpatrick).

Nonetheless, this is the NFL and Fitz or no Fitz, stuff will go down during training camp. Thus, Mikey Mac will need to put forth his best Rubik’s Cube effort with his Jets.

Here’s ESNY’s best stab at predicting the New York Jets 53-man roster once training camp officially breaks up:

 Next: Quarterbacks 

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Quarterbacks (4)

Notable Cuts:

  • N/A

Here’s the deal: This entire 53-man roster was constructed with the mindset that Maccagnan and the Jets will keep four quarterbacks.

Is it tough to do? Yes. There’s no question about it.

Keeping four quarterbacks means one less roster spot for the rest of the squad. While on the surface it doesn’t seem like a biggie, it, indeed, is. Not only does depth need to be considered on both sides of the ball, but strict special teamers need to be accounted for as well.

Still, the feeling here is Maccagnan won’t be able to part with his fourth-rounder of a project from Baylor. He’ll keep Bryce Petty as camp breaks and stay stubborn for at least the first week of the regular season.

RELATED: Jets & Fans Need A History Lesson Regarding Fitzpatrick

Many things can (and most likely will) immediately change shortly thereafter.

Then, and only then, is when Maccagnan will rethink his four quarterback strategy. Remember: 46 players are dressed with seven inactives. Both Petty and Christian Hackenberg can fit snugly on the sideline in street clothes until severe injuries hit the entire landscape of the personnel.

And yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be signed during the first week of training camp. And yes, Geno Smith will be his backup.

 Next: Backs & Receivers 

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Running Backs (4)

Notable Cuts:

The running back batch is pretty straight-forward. Matt Forte comes over from the Chicago Bears. What he does is not only provide the green and white with a featured back, but create an interchangeable due with Bilal Powell that allows for complete versatility.

Unless there’s a total upset, Khiry Robinson will act as the third back in this hierarchy. Tommy Bohanon is a lock as the only fullback on the roster, despite Chan Gailey’s allergic reaction to the old-school position.

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Wide Receivers (7)

Notable Cuts:

In a Gailey spread ’em out offense, keeping seven wide receivers isn’t a stretch at all. In fact, an argument can be made that eight is possible.

Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa, and Devin Smith, despite the questions of his recovery from a torn ACL, are locks. The versatility and extraordinary upside Jalin Marshall brings to the table has everybody thinking he’s a lock as well. As long as he can beat out Jeremy Ross in the return game, he’ll be in.

Kenbrell Thompkins looks solid as a depth weapon and Charone Peake will be kept around simply as a draftee. If anybody misses the cut, it’ll be Peake, however. Peake might have to contribute as a gunner on special teams in order to make the final 53.

 Next: Tight Ends & Offensive Line 

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Tight Ends (3)

Notable Cuts:

Much like the running back grouping, the tight ends are pretty standard. Jace Amaro, Kellen David and Zach Sudfeld will be the tight ends unless something drastic happens.

It’s hard to see Todd Bowles keeping anymore than three. Amaro is the weapon; Davis is the blocker; and Sudfeld can fill in the gaps.

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Offensive Line (8)

Notable Cuts:

Now is when things become extremely interesting.

Do you see the name listed under the notable cuts section? That’s right. Breno Giacomini is included. Giacomini and his $5 million of cap space the Jets create when and if he gets cut.

He’s lost an incredible amount on his fastball and with New York trading up in the fifth-round to snap Brandon Shell – a youngster they really love – Giacomini will most likely be the sacrificial lamb when Ryan Fitpatrick makes his triumphant return.

We’ve been saying Giacomini is gone for months now. We won’t turn our backs on that prediction now.

 Next: Front 7 

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Defensive Line (6)

Notable Cuts:

  • N/A

There isn’t a real defensive lineman of note that’ll be cut come early September.

Playing a base 3-4, six should be the number of defensive lineman kept. Five could be the number that are active come Sundays.

Although Muhammad Wilkerson has a legitimate gripe over how the franchise has treated him over these last two years, he won’t be able to pass up $15.701 million this season. The massive amount of money coupled with the idea Maccagnan will not blink first thanks to the Jets incredible depth on the inside, Big Mo will be atop the depth chart when the time comes.

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Inside Linebackers (4)

Notable Cuts:

Not only do inside linebackers make up for two spots in a 3-4, but they are relied heavily upon in special teams.

If Bruce Carter wants to make sure he’ll make the cut, he’ll have to beat out Taiwan Jones. Both guys are fast, but Carter has blazing 4.57 second 40-yard speed and the Jets desperately want to become a faster team. Also, Carter is a traditional outside linebacker in a 4-3 set, something the Jets might mix in a decent amount in 2016.

David Harris, Erin Henderson and Darron Lee are locks. Henderson finds himself safe thanks to Lee’s undersized frame and inexperience in a 3-4. There really isn’t anybody else who can start immediately next to Harris in the base.

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Outside Linebackers (4)

Notable Cuts:

Many are reporting that although veteran Trevor Reilly started out OTAs as the starter opposite Lorenzo Mauldin, he’s actually fallen out of favor.

I don’t buy for one second he’ll be cut.

Bowles loves his steady veterans, and when it comes to Reilly, he’s both steady and a veteran. He’s not a great pass rusher off the edge but represents a solid run stuffing outside linebacker – something that is a stark contrast of the Mauldins of the world.

As a third-round selection, Jordan Jenkins is completely safe. Freddie Bishop is the wildcard. Deion Barnes can easily make the squad, but it’ll either be him or Reilly who most likely gets the axe.

The Jets could keep five instead of four here, but keeping four QBs will make that tough.

 Next: Secondary 

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Cornerbacks (6)

Notable Cuts:

Either the linebacker spot has to be kept to eight instead of nine or the conerback corps will have to make due with six instead of seven.

This will be the exchange for keeping Petty on the roster.

It’s tough considering linebackers and corners are so heavily leaned upon in the special teams game, but for at least one week, this is the direction I see the Jets going in.

Having said that, it’ll be talented special teamer Darryl Morris who feels the 53-man wrath in this spot. Marcus Williams doesn’t just add to the corner depth, he can also play safety as well.

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Safeties (4)

Notable Cuts:

Even with the idea of Marcus Williams having the ability to play a little safety, Bowles, the ex-NFL safety himself, will stay smart and keep four.

The production gap between the starters and backups is immense at the Jets safety spot, but that’s OK. If Bowles doesn’t feel comfortable with either Rontez Miles or Dion Bailey playing as the third safety in seven DB looks, he can simply slide M.Williams in there.

Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist make up one the top duos in the league.

 Next: Special Teams 

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Special Teams (3)

Notable Cuts:

The conventional train of thought says there’s only one position battle above. This would be as the Jets punter – which we have rookie Lac Edwards winning simply due to upside.

However, that isn’t true. Nick Folk doesn’t just provide valuable assets by way of the kicking game, he also provides $3 million plus in cap space should the Jets cut him.

If Ross Martin impresses the Jets this summer, don’t be surprised if Folk is let go. It could be just enough money to slide Ryan Fitzpatrick’s hands back under Nick Mangold’s booty.

 Next: Roster At A Glance 

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53-Man Roster At A Glance

Offense (26):

  • QB (4): Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty
  • HB (3): Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, Khiry Robinson
  • FB (1): Tommy Bohanon
  • WR (7): Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Quincy Enunwa, Jalin Marshall, Devin Smith, Kenbrell Thompkins, Charone Peake
  • TE (3): Jace Amaro, Kellen Davis, Zach Sudfeld
  • OT (3): Ryan Clady, Brandon Shell, Ben Ijalana
  • OG (3): James Carpenter, Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier
  • C (2): Nick Mangold, Wesley Johnson

Defense (24):

  • DE (4): Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams, Jarvis Jenkins
  • NT (2): Steve McLendon, Deon Simon
  • OLB (4): Lorenzo Mauldin, Jordan Jenkins, Trevor Reilly, Freddie Bishop
  • ILB (4): David Harris, Erin Henderson, Darron Lee, Bruce Carter
  • CB (6): Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams, Dexter McDougle, Dee Milliner, Juston Burris
  • FS (2): Marcus Gilchrist, Rontez Miles
  • SS (2): Calvin Pryor, Dion Bailey

Special Teams (3):

  • K (1): Nick Folk
  • P (1): Lac Edwards
  • LS (1): Tanner Purdum

Looking at the 53 at a glance, it becomes more obvious that keeping four quarterbacks hurts the rest of the roster.

The value in special teams really takes a hit at the linebacker, wide receiver, and/or cornerback position when this is the case.

Don’t forget, though, this is only the 53-man roster when camp ends. The 53-man roster heading into Week 1 is rarely the same 53-man roster after Week 1 ends.

For now, we bet Bryce Petty sticks to the roster even if/when Ryan Fitzpatrick returns.

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