There will be tough cuts and several youngsters heading to the practice squad, but when it’s all said and done, the 2018 New York Jets will showcase an official 53-man depth chart.
Things will change. With rosters over 90 players apiece and all 32 teams needing to cut down to 53 by the end of August, things will concretely and absolutely change.
Undrafted free agent cuts, veteran cap casualties, troubled employees—much bottom of the depth chart action is to come, including the New York Jets. But as it pertains to the meat of the roster, it’s officially time to diagnose.
At any point prior to the NFL Draft, it’s silly to look ahead. Ridiculous is also the notion to project the depth chart immediately following the draft—for undrafted rookies and fallout from the weekend’s transactions linger for a couple of weeks.
Lastly, OTAs bring the final element to the table. Tough contract feelings rear its ugly head and certain possibilities brew from the voluntary actions during the voluntary offseason phase.
All of the above equals only one point in time in which projecting the first 53-man depth chart is actually sensical—the end of May/early June … right now.
Specific to the Jets is an interesting narrative. A young No. 3 overall selection in Sam Darnold comes aboard which infuses talent while not knowing when the organization will feel free to let the kid spread his wings. Suffice to say, it’ll be the leading discussion all summer long.
Therefore, in kicking off this projected New York Jets 53-man depth chart is the exciting (for the first time in a long time) quarterback group.
Quarterback
- Sam Darnold
- Josh McCown
- Teddy Bridgewater
Flip on SportsCenter, check out the NFL Network, nothing will change all summer long—Sam Darnold will be the entire New York Jets narrative.
The early reports from OTAs indicate Darnold is far behind Josh McCown and the others. It’s not due to raw talent. Rather, it’s simply NFL readiness.
The USC product will far and away represent the best option for the group by the time the Snoopy Bowl rolls around. Whether or not the Jets allow him to start Week 1 is the question.
We say yes, but he could easily sit for a week or two prior to finding himself in NFL game action.
With the trades of both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, the three arms on the roster are completely safe. Considering Darnold’s rawness and McCown’s injury history, there’s no chance they’d keep just two.
Running Back
- Bilal Powell
- Isaiah Crowell
- Elija McGuire
- Trenton Cannon
There are no studs. The Jets haven’t fielded a 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Ivory in 2012. In fact, this organization hasn’t showcased a 1,100-yard rusher since the reliable Thomas Jones back in 2009 with the NFL’s best offensive line.
The beat goes on at the running back spot for the Jets.
The good news comes by way of depth. All four backs will receive time and, unlike many teams that like to carry just three at the spot, the Jets will probably carry four due to Trenton Cannon’s return abilities.
Cuts: Thomas Rawls
Fullback
- Dimitri Flowers
This one’s easy. Despite his undrafted free agent tag, Oklahoma’s Dimitri Flowers will represent the Jets starting fullback in 2018. As great a story as converted defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas is, he’s not agile enough to catch balls out of the backfield and get it done in an overall fashion.
It’d be extremely tough to carry two fullbacks.
Cuts: Lawrence Thomas
Wide Receiver
- Robby Anderson
- Jermaine Kearse
- Quincy Enunwa
- Terrelle Pryor
- ArDarius Stewart
- Chad Hansen
Those who don’t understand just how good Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are will look at the Jets wideouts and turn in disgust. Those who do understand will applaud this spot.
Enunwa is the best of the bunch. Coming off a season-ending injury has him in the three spot which suits his beastly slot nature perfectly.
Just six wideouts is a small number in this league, but the four backs carried makes it so at this moment.
Cuts: Charone Peake, Andre Roberts, Lucky Whitehead, Tre McBride, Devin Smith
Tight End
- Chris Herndon
- Clive Walford
- Jordan Leggett
Three tight ends can easily suffice with a solid fullback in tow. In terms of a star-studded affair, this position group is hurting.
Clive Walford may turn out as a heady pickup by way of Oakland but it’ll come down to the development of one of the two mid-round picks (Chris Herndon, Jordan Leggett) the last two drafts.
Potential is absolutely in the building, especially with Herndon.
Cuts: Eric Tomlinson, Neal Sterling, Bucky Hodges
Tackle
- Kelvin Beachum (LT)
- Brandon Shell (RT)
- Antonio Garcia
Welcome to the danger zone. Any offense with Kelvin Beachum as the blindside protection of a 20-year-old franchise stud is a unit to worry about.
The Jacksonville Jaguars finished 22nd in the NFL in rushing in 2016 with 101.9 yards per contest. Beachum was their starting left tackle.
In 2017 with Beachum gone and rookie Cam Robinson in, the Jags skyrocketed to No. 1 in the league in rushing with 141.4 a game. And don’t think it was all Leonard Fournette. The LSU beast barely cracked 1,000 yards during his rookie season.
Brandon Shell offers up a solid answer on the right side, but the left side will be hurting until a real solution is found. Ex-New England Patriots pick Antonio Garcia and undrafted rookie tackles Dakoda Shepley and Darius James are all players who have that opportunity to shock the world, and the Jets desperately need a developmental shock at the left tackle spot this summer.
Cuts: Ben Ijalana, Dakoda Shepley, Darius James
Guard
- James Carpenter (LG)
- Brian Winters (RG)
- Brett Qvale (G-T)
The O-line is more stout along the interior yet still nowhere near dominant.
James Carpenter is an older vet who seriously declined a season ago. It’s a troublesome fact right now. Brian Winters is a run-blocking guard who played injured all year long. This is a positive thought.
There isn’t much competition at the guard spot.
Cuts: Jonotthan Harrison, Ben Braden
Center
- Spencer Long
- Travis Swanson
The deepest spot on the O-line is at center and it’s not even close.
Both Spencer Long and Travis Swanson can start. Let’s just hope Swanson can also play guard when needed (as it’ll absolutely be needed at some point during the season).
Center Wesley Johnson was terrible a year ago. Long, as solid as many think he is, has a tough time staying healthy.
Cuts: Austin Golson
3-4 DE
- Leonard Williams
- Nathan Shepherd
- Henry Anderson
- Brandon Copeland
New York’s top issue during its 5-11 season a year ago boiled down to dominating losses in the trenches. At least one side of the trench-game has been addressed.
Mike Maccagnan passed up incredible options at both the O-line and edge when he wrote down the name of little-known Nathan Shepherd as his third-round selection. Orlando Brown, Josh Sweat and so many more were on the board for the taking.
Shepherd must turn out as the real deal.
If he does, the Jets are sporting an excellent and deep interior front.
Cuts: Xavier Cooper, Claude Pelon, Mike Pennel
3-4 NT
- Steve McLendon
- Deon Simon
Steve McLendon is one of the more underrated nose tackles in the game. Still, he’s 32-years of age. The man is getting up there in age.
Younger Deon Simon must make somewhat of a push this season if he wants to make the final 53. If not, sixth-round draft pick Folorunso Fatukasi will snag that No. 2 nose tackle role. That’ll absolutely be one of the best under-the-radar battles in camp.
Cuts: Folorunso Fatukasi, Mychealon Thomas
3-4 OLB
- Jordan Jenkins
- Lorenzo Mauldin
- David Bass
- Dylan Donahue
The edge spot in Northern New Jersey—long described only as “misery” since John Abraham tormented us with his talents and injury follies.
The four names above may equal the worst edge pass-rushing situation in the NFL. While the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles keep adding one-on-one pass rushing talent (Josh Sweat via NFL Draft), the Jets continue to ignore it.
Todd Bowles’ best bet in generating a conventional pass rush this coming season is Dylan Donahue. If he can somehow gather himself and focus his talents on the field, he’s the guy.
Newly-acquired and former Kansas City Chiefs defender, Kevin Pierre-Lous, is the wildcard and intriguing member of the group, but keeping five at this spot is tough. He may be battling with Josh Martin and Lorenzo Mauldin for the final spot come August.
Cuts: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Josh Martin, Obum Gwacham, Freddie Bishop, Kacy Rodgers II
3-4 ILB
- Darron Lee
- Avery Williamson
- Kevin Minter
- Frankie Luvu
The defensive surprise of 2017 was unquestionably Demario Davis. He’s gone. Avery Williamson is in.
The combination of Williamson and Darron Lee will be just as good if not better than the duo from a year ago. Sprinkle in a phenomenal under-the-radar special teams signing in Kevin Minter and the Jets are set in the middle of the unit along the second level.
Cuts: Neville Hewitt, Anthony Wint
Cornerback
- Trumaine Johnson
- Morris Claiborne
- Parry Nickerson
- Juston Burris
- Darryl Roberts
- Rashard Robinson
- Jeremy Clark
Either seven wide receivers or seven corners (as opposed to six) could be the decision if four running backs are kept. Seven corners are our choice with only four safeties in the first projection.
Save for the lockdown Hall of Fame cover corner, this Kacy Rodgers defense boasts everything a coach wants out of its cornerback position.
Trumaine Johnson and Morris Claiborne make for a solid 1A/1B punch as the starters. Though Buster Skrine is still employed as the nickel, we have late-round pick Parry Nickerson fitting the nickel role like a glove.
There’s a lot to like in terms of depth and versatility here.
Cuts: Buster Skrine, Derrick Jones, Xavier Coleman, Terrell Sinkfield
Safety
- Jamal Adams (SS)
- Marcus Maye (FS)
- Terrence Brooks
- Rontez Miles
The duo of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye should compete as the NFL’s best safety duo. It’s just a little tough when the defense in front of them is the worst in the business in terms of generating a conventional four-man pass rush.
Though the mainstream media didn’t catch on, this duo performed as much better than advertised during their rookie campaign.
A third safety is absolutely needed to overcome some of the pass-rushing deficiencies and if they can snag free agent Kenny Vaccaro, the big dime look with the former Saint and Adams on both sides in the box and along the edges would be a nasty look.
Cuts: Doug Middleton
Special Teams
- Cairo Santos (K)
- Lachlan Edwards (P)
- Thomas Hennessy (LS)
Another year under Todd Bowles, another kicker. It’ll be Cairo Santos in 2018. Lachlan Edwards and Thomas Hennessy return as the punter and long-snapper.
Cuts: Taylor Bertolet