The 2021 JetsFix 53-man Roster Relay: Fourth Leg
As we did last year, we've been marking preseason with a series of fan-sourced roster projections. The idea is that as players make their case in each preseason game this will be reflected in the next leg of the relay, along with other developments such as injuries.
Our fourth leg comes to you from longtime TJB/JetsFix reader and occasional commenter nebkreb who sets the table ahead of the preseason finale tonight ...
QB: Zach Wilson, Mike White (2)
White has badly outplayed Morgan all preseason, and the Jets clearly see it too. Hope his ribs/torso injury isn’t bad. While I’d prefer a veteran backup, Douglas and Saleh disagree.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Morgan out, White in)
RB: Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, Michael Carter, LaMichal Perine (4)
Johnson and Coleman will get the bulk of the carries to start the year, and Carter will be used mostly as a 3rd down back. Perine is the power guy but I think he gets the fewest snaps and might be a surprise cut.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
FB/TE: Trevon Wesco (1)
I think Wesco has been a pleasant surprise – he’s shown the versatility the position requires, if not the top-end athleticism that LaFleur wants from his fullbacks. I wouldn’t be shocked if they pursued an upgrade after final cuts, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if they kept him.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
WR: Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Keenan Cole, Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios, Vyncent Smith (7)
First four are locks, I think Mims is kept around because he’s the only one with the physicality to match Davis. Berrios and Smith make it for specials and hustle.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
TE: Tyler Kroft, Chris Herndon (2)
Kroft has been solid; he just needs to stay healthy. Herndon would’ve been cut if any other TEs had played well but Brown and Griffin are not the answers. Wesco’s ability to fill in at TE in a pinch allows them to keep just two. I imagine Douglas would be looking to add here after final cuts.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
OL: Mekhi Becton, Morgan Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Greg Van Roten, Connor McGovern, George Fant, David Moore, Dan Feeney (8)
The starters are just about set, and Fant is one of the better 3rd tackles in the league, as he can fill in at either tackle spot in case of rest/injuries. David Moore was a hot item when he was cut (a bunch of teams claimed him, we were just 2nd on the list) – he won’t make it to the practice squad. I had Jimmy Murray originally since the coaches had him replace Feeney at LG with the starters, but I think he had a bad injury earlier this week.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Edoga/Murray out, Moore in)
IDL: Quinnen Williams, Foley Fatukasi, Sheldon Rankins, Jonathan Marshall (4)
A real nice combination here. Fatukasi is a run-stuffer, Rankins is a force when healthy and Q is great. Marshall has been as promised in the preseason: raw but filled with potential. I don’t think he would make it to the PS so he has a redshirt/training year.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Shepherd out, Marshall in)
EDGE: Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, Ronald Blair, Jabari Zuniga (4)
This group looked a lot better before Lawson and Curry got hurt. With both now out for the year, Jets will definitely be bringing in help here. I bet we replace Zuniga (or Blair) after final cuts from other team. I worry that JFM and Huff might get exposed as three-down edges when both are more suited to rotational roles.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Curry out, Zuniga in)
MLB: CJ Mosley, Blake Cashman, Noah Dawkins (3)
OLB: Jarrad Davis, Hamsah Nasilidreen, Jamien Sherwood (3)
Grouping these together since they will have crossover between them. Mosley has looked really good and will hopefully have a great year. With Davis’ injury, the rookies will be exposed early – trial by fire. Dawkins has really impressed in preseason and got some time with the ones in Green Bay.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Dawkins in)
Outside CB: Bryce Hall, Bless Austin, Brandin Echols, Jason Pinnock, Justin Hardee (5)
It’s pretty clear that Douglas and Saleh are willing to roll the dice here and take some early lumps. Echols has been really good (even beyond the interception) and if Austin or Hall struggle, he could start taking snaps. Pinnock is more developmental at this point. Hardee is a special teams ace only, but his ostensible position is corner.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Dunn out)
Nickel CB: Javelin Guidry, Michael Carter II, Elijah Campbell (3)
Guidry has had a nice preseason, and Carter has shown some nice flashes. Campbell can play safety or nickel CB and contributes on specials.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - Campbell in)
S: Marcus Maye, LaMarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis, Sharrod Neasman (4)
Maye is looking for a big year for his next contract. We need Joyner and Davis to get healthy otherwise our secondary is totally screwed. Neasman has been solid and contributes on specials.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
K: Matt Ammendola (1)
We might finally have a kicker? He had a good game last week but needs to continue to make his kicks. He is good on kickoffs too.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
P: Braden Mann (1)
Mann is inconsistent but fine.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
LS: Thomas Hennessey (1)
The legend.
(Note: Changes since the last leg - None)
Notables on IR: Carl Lawson, Cameron Clark
Notables on NFI: Vinny Curry
Practice Squad Candidates (you can have sixteen, four with no limit on experience)
QB: Josh Johnson, James Morgan: Johnson is the emergency veteran, Morgan is developmental.
RB: Josh Adams: Douglas clearly likes him, but just no room at the moment.
WR/TE: Lawrence Cager, Jeff Smith, Kenny Yeboah: For once, the Jets have depth at WR. Both Cager and Smith have development potential. Yeboah has potential as well, but clearly not ready yet.
OL: Tristan Hoge, Conor McDermott: McDermott had a nasty leg injury which hopefully looked worse than it is. Hoge has some developmental ability plus the BYU connection with Wilson.
DL: Kyle Phillips, Tanzel Smart: Smart has gotten cut and come back like forty times. He hangs around. Phillips is a legit-NFL player but is injured. He might make the IR-designated to return.
EDGE: Jeremiah Valoaga, Hamilcar Rashed Jr: two young pass rushers that need time to develop.
CB/S: Isaiah Dunn, JT Hassell: See above. Hassell showed some nice flashes during preseason.
(Note: Changes since the last leg are as follows:
Practice squad deletions: Hermanns, Phillips, Malone
Practice squad additions: Everyone apart from Smart, Hoge and Yeboah