The Jets advanced to training camp on Wednesday for the eagerly anticipated start of their camp in recent memory.
Aaron Rodgers will be the star attraction and there are plenty of other storylines that the Hard Knocks movie could follow. The Jets roster is as strong as it has been in years, which should make for some interesting training battles.
We’ll be watching over the next six weeks to see how those battles unfold and who wins the roster spots you grab.
But before we make a drill or cut football, we’re running into what the initial 53-man roster might look like for the Jets going into September.
here we are:
Midfielders (3): Aaron Rodgers, Zack Wilson, Tim Boyle
The new third quarterback rule makes this decision an interesting one for teams. I’d be inclined to keep Rodgers and Wilson and hide Boyle on the practice squad, but the quarterback should be on the active roster to be the designated third quarterback on game days. I think that would make teams keep three, so Boyle is making the cut here.
Running Back (4): Bryce Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, Israel Upanikanda.
The Jets swear they love their running back room, but will they be tempted to add Dalvin Cook? I think they would if the price was right, but that would require Cook to lower contract expectations. If Cook is added, I think Knight is the odd guy out. Hall and the Jets say he’s on track for Week 1. If he doesn’t go that fast, they may have to hold him on the roster until he’s ready.
Wide Receivers (6): Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mekol Hardman, Randall Cobb, Irvin Charles, Jason Brownlee
This room looks a lot different than it did last year, and there are some tough calls here.
You’ll notice that Corey Davis isn’t included, because I can’t see him on that team. It doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve been waiting for them to cut it since March. However, he’s still on the list and they probably don’t cheat, but for this exercise I’d expect it to be cut or traded off (with the Jets taking up some of the paycheck).
The other missing name that is notable here is Denzel Mims. I think the Jets are tired of Mims and he is tired of the Jets. Joe Douglas will try to find a business partner, and if he can’t, I think the Jets will cut Mims. Charles and Brownlee injected some little blood here.
Tight ends (3): Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzumah, Jeremy Ruckert
This group looks the same as it did last year. Kenny Yeboah has been a tough nut to crack for me because of his special teams value, and I can see him sticking around. Zack Kuntz is a draft pick, but he’s raw and the Jets could stash him on the practice squad. I don’t think he’s ready to play yet.
Forwards (9): Duane Brown, Lacken Tomlinson, Conor McGovern, Alija Vera Tucker, Billy Turner, Mickey Picton, Joe Tipman, Max Mitchell, Carter Warren.
I struggled a little bit here because the Jets have recruited Mitchell and Warren the last couple of years and I think both of them will make the team healthy. The battle between Tipman and McGovern for the starting position would be one of the biggest battles of training camp. The loser can be a central reserve/guard. A Becton or Turner should be the right tackle with your backup turning into a swing tool.
Defenders (10): Quinn Williams, Carl Lawson, John Franklin Myers, Al Woods, Will McDonald, Quinton Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff, Solomon Thomas, Michael Clemons
This is the crowded position on the team with very little room for the dark horse to make the cut. Robert Saleh likes to have great rotations on the D line, and this set will allow him to do just that.
Linebackers (5): CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamyn Sherwood, Hamsa Naseeruddin, Zaire Barnes
Many Jets fans are still hoping the team will bring back Kwon Alexander but it appears the Jets want to give the youngsters a chance. Both Sherwood and Nassereddine are entering their third seasons and haven’t played much on defense. The Jets can give them a chance, and if it doesn’t work out, find a seasoned veteran before the season starts.
Cornerbacks (6): Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Justin Hardee, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Bryce Hall
This position is heavy at the top. Gardner, Reed and Carter II give the Jets a solid starting range, but there’s not much depth. Brandine Echols will be suspended for the first game, which is why he’s not here. He should return to the roster for week 2, after which Hall could be a mortal. Versatile Bernard Converse. I put it back up in the corner of the slot. Hardee’s is a special teams master.
Safeties (4): Jordan Whitehead, Adrian Amos, Ashtyn Davis, Tony Adams
This group is already dealing with a serious injury. Chuck Clark was a starter, but he suffered a torn ACL in the spring OTA finals and was gone for the season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this is a situation where the Jets add someone during final cuts and waiver claims.
Special Teams (3): Greg Zuerlin, Thomas Hennessy, Thomas Morstead
The Jets matched the trade by bringing back Hennessy and eliminating Braden Mann. Zuerlein stopped the turnstile at the kicker for the time being.
Want to pick up a game? The Jets schedule with links to purchase tickets can be found here.
late duo
One overlooked business as the Jets entered training camp is that their first two draft picks remain unsigned.
Are McDonald and Joe Tipman the only Jets picks who haven’t signed their deals yet?
Under the new CBA, it’s unusual for these contract disputes to be dragged into training camp. There are very few things to negotiate. It usually has to do with compensation money and the timing of how the signing bonus will be paid.
The Jets have had a few notable contractual disputes with rookies in recent years (Sam Darnold missed the first few days of camp in 2018).
We’ll see if McDonald and Tipman pass up the clock as they let their agents do their jobs. Of the two, it would seem less ideal for Tipman as he tackles Conor McGovern for the starting center position.
Stat is that
It’s the start of training camp. Jets 0-0, hope for the season is high. Let’s stay positive. Here are the top 10 margins of victory in aircraft history:
1. November 9, 2008: Jets 47, Rams 3 (Footnote: 44)
2. September 18, 1988: Jets 45, Oilers 3 (42)
3. January 4, 2003: Jets 41, 0* Colts (41)
T4. Sept. 15, 1985: Jets 42, Billings 3 (39)
T4. Sept. 18, 1966: Airplanes 52, Oilers 13 (39)
T6. Oct 25, 2009: Jets 38, Raiders 0 (38)
T6. Sept. 20, 1998: Jets 44, Colts 6 (38)
T6. Aug. 31, 1997: Jets 41, Seahawks 3 (38)
T6. Sept. 26, 1993: Jets 45, Patriots 7 (38)
T6. November 12, 1972: Jets 41, Bills 3 (38)
* Playoff