Roster building never quite finished in the NFL. The Jets will make a lot of moves before the season arrives and even more during the season.
However, the load-lifting is over. With the NFL Draft behind us, we now have a good idea of what the Jets roster will look like when the season arrives. It’s a good time to take stock of the situation and see where the club is stronger and where it is weaker than last year.
Because the list evolves, we took the initial group of 53 men from last September to compare with this year’s people. This means that we also selected the same number of players in each position as were on the list last year.
This is not an attempt to predict this season’s 53-man roster; Actual numbers will fluctuate. But it was easier to judge one against the other with the same numbers.
Here is a look:
quarterback
2022: Zack Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White
2023: Aaron Rodgers, Zack Wilson, Tim Boyle
You may have heard the Jets have a new QB1. Rodgers’ addition automatically makes this group that much better. The Jets are hoping Rodgers can regain the form he was in two seasons ago when he won his second consecutive MVP title. But even if he plays at a slightly lower level, he’ll be better than what the Jets had as a starting quarterback last year.
I think the Jets are weaker in support here. Flaco and White were able to do some good things. The Jets want Wilson to have a redshirt year. If he had to play, that could be tough for the Jets.
Even with a slight cut to the reserves, Rodgers puts the 2023 group ahead.
Verdict: 2023 is better
running back
2022: Michael Carter, Bryce Hall, Zonovan Knight, Ty Johnson
2023: Press Hall, Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, Israel Upanikanda
This is difficult because a lot hinges on Hall’s health. If Hall can get back to the way he looked in the first seven weeks of last season, the Jets will fly. But he’s coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in late October. It’s hard to imagine him returning early this season and maybe not in 2023.
Carter still has great potential, but he’s coming off a disappointing 2022. Knight showed potential last year, but slowed down when he had to shoulder the load. The Jets were excited to land Upanikanda in the fifth round, but he is an unknown at this point.
Verdict: 2023…worse
wide future
2022: Elijah Moore, Corey Davis, Braxton Berreuse, Garrett Wilson, Jeff Smith, Denzel Mims
2023: Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Aline Lazard, Mikul Hardman, Randall Cobb, Denzel Mims
The Jets made some major changes to this room with the additions of Lazard, Hardman and Cobb in free agency. These are definite upgrades, and the expectation that Wilson will be better in year two makes the group look stronger. Cobb produced a lot of jokes when the Jets signed him, but he’s a better receiver option than Berrios or Smith.
I do have a few questions, though, about what this deck will look like when it comes to roster building. Outside of Hardman, I don’t see anyone who can contribute to special teams. But that’s a problem for another day.
In terms of receiving pure wire, the difference with this kit is obvious.
Verdict: 2023…better
tight end
2022: Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzumah, Jeremy Ruckert, Lawrence Keger
2023: Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzumah, Jeremy Ruckert, Zach Koontz
This group has not changed much. We’ll see if Kuntz, an Old Dominion seventh-round pick, can even make the team. Kenny Yeboah may end up being the fourth tight end. The top of the depth chart looks the same.
Verdict: 2023 … the same
offensive line
2022: Duane Brown, Lacken Tomlinson, Conor McGovern, Alicia Vera Tucker, George Fant, Max Mitchell, Dan Feeney, Nate Herbig
2023: Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alicia Vera Tucker, Mickey Picton, Max Mitchell, Joe Tipman, Billy Turner
I have no idea how to defeat this group. It will be great to see if Becton can stay healthy and take the left tackle spot. If he does, what happens to Brown? Can rookie Tipman win the starting center job? Who will be the backups?
I had a hard time getting this group down to eight players. Fourth round pick Carter Warren isn’t here, but I’m sure he’ll make the team. There will be training camp injuries that help smooth things out, too. Either way, this group isn’t much better on paper than last year.
Again, Becton is the primary card. If he can play and look as dominant as he did at times as a rookie, this unit is even better. However, for now, I’m not sure the Jets have done enough here.
Verdict: 2023 … the same
defense line
2022: Carl Lawson, Quinn Williams, Sheldon Rankins, John Franklin Myers, Solomon Thomas, Nathan Shepherd, Jermaine Johnson, Jacob Martin, Bryce Huff, Michelle Clemons, Vinnie Curry
2023: Carl Lawson, Quinn Williams, Al Woods, John Franklin Myers, Will MacDonald, Jermaine Johnson, Solomon Thomas, Michelle Clemons, Quinton Jefferson, Bryce Huff, Tanzil Smart
Jets keep adding at this position. McDonald gives the Jets another nudge to add to the mix. You could argue whether the Jets should have gone a different route with his first-round pick, but now that he’s on the roster, the Jets’ collection is by far the most impressive.
The Jets also added Run-Stuffing Woods to team up with Williams, giving them some midfield beef.
This group has to be one of the best in the NFL.
Verdict: 2023…better
full back
2022: CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Con Alexander, Jamin Sherwood
2023: CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamin Sherwood, Zaire Barnes
The question of whether the Jets will bring back the Alexander hangs over this group. Alexander gave the team energy and a nice jolt at the start of the season last year. It’s like they still need him, but they haven’t made the move in free agency to get him back.
The Jets may want to give Sherwood, a 2021 draft pick, a chance to play more. He only played defense in short stints his first two seasons. Barnes, a sixth-round pick, will be more of a special teams player as a rookie.
But without Alexander, this group is lacking.
Verdict: 2023…worse
noon corner
2022: Seuss Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Bryce Hall, Branden Echols, Justin Hardy
2023: Seuss Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter II, Branden Echols, Bryce Hall, Justin Hardy
This is literally the same group. Why do I think they can be better than they were in 2022? Gardner should take it one step further, and he and Reid should play better together in their second year in Jeff Olbrich’s system.
Gardner had one of the best rookie seasons the Jets have ever had. He could take a step back, but I wouldn’t bet on Gardner. He is very mature and very driven.
Verdict: 2023…better
safety
2022: Jordan Whitehead, LaMarcus Joyner, Ashtyn Davis, Tony Adams
2023: Chuck Clarke, Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis
Clark’s trade may get lost when you think about this off-season, but he’s a huge plus. The Jets expect better things from Whitehead in his second year with the team. He struggled at times last year. But on the rebound, he and Clark gave them a nice duet.
Adams displayed potential last year as a backup. Davis may be fighting for his spot on the roster this summer.
Verdict: 2023…better
special teams
2022: Greg Zurlin, Braden Mann, Thomas Hennessy
2023: Greg Zurlin, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessy
The difference here is Morsted in the Gambler. The truth is, the Jets should have stayed with him in 2021. He was better than Mann when he was first with the team, but the Jets handed the job back to Mann once he recovered from the injury. Morstead should be a more consistent force for them in the kicking game. Zuerlein stepped up his kicking job last year after years of inconsistency there.
The Jets will be looking for a new kick/punt returner now with Berrios gone. Hardman is a candidate and we’ll see who else shows up.
Verdict: 2023…better
Want to pick up a game? The Jets schedule with links to purchase tickets can be found here.
system upgrade
Since the days of Rex Ryan, the Jets defense has been built mostly to stop the run. The Fighters always seemed to pack big, full-running defensive linemen and never focused on sharp rushes. Ryan and his successor, Todd Bowles, were firm believers in the blitz to create pressure, but no one had ever landed a player who could apply pressure on his own.
But it looks like the Jets are finally embracing that the NFL is a passing league and stopping a quarterback for the other team is crucial. McDonald’s selection with the 15th overall pick is further evidence.
The Jets now have a really strong group of rushers on the edge, defensive tackle Koenen Williams, who can generate pressure on the inside, and a couple of strong cornerbacks on the outside to give the rushers more time to get to the middle.
It is a defense based on the contemporary NFL. After years of being overly focused on running, it’s refreshing to see him.
Stat is that
The Jets hope Aaron Rodgers can start their offense, which has been dormant for many years. You have to go back to the last time the former Packers legend was a quarterback to find their last top 10 scoring spot.
Yes, in 2008 the Jets finished ninth in scoring. They haven’t been in the top 10 since then. Here’s a look at where they ended up:
2008: 25.3 ppg (NFL rating: 9)
2009: 21.8 ppg (17)
2010: 22.9 ppg (13)
2011: 23.6 ppg (13)
2012: 17.6 ppg (28)
2013: 18.1 ppg (29)
2014: 17.7 ppg (28)
2015: 24.1 ppg (11)
2016: 17.2 ppg (30)
2017: 18.6 ppg (24)
2018: 20.8 ppg (23)
2019: 17.3 ppg (31)
2020: 15.2 ppg (32)
2021: 18.2 ppg (28)
2022: 17.4 ppg (29)
Source: Pro Football Reference