With only training camp and preseason ahead, we project the New York Jets 53-man depth chart/roster for Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
Training camp and preseason are all that’s left. Just the smell of freshly-cut grass in Florham Park, set under the bright sun in the humid-filled air of Northern New Jersey, represents the scene for which many individuals battle it out en route to independent-contracting football glory.
For many, the Summer of 2022 is what separates the “almosts” from the “paid NFL professionals.” And naturally, the New York Jets are one of 32 organizations that’ll look to employ the best 53 men.
Injuries, trades and cuts are bound to occur; but the question that remains is, “What will the much-improved New York Jets depth chart look like come Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season?”
The Jets’ quarterback situation is as easy as one, two, three. The only question remaining is who the true No. 2 will be.
Most will have Joe Flacco slotted in that spot, but due to Mike White’s Halloween special a year ago, it’s fair to place him No. 2 while Flacco takes the special “No. 3 mentor role.”
Carrying just three running backs is a tricky proposition, but Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas may just have to go this route early in the season.
Fans are ready to proclaim rookie Breece Hall the starter, but why rush? The kid is a rookie, after all, and this coaching staff loves to take the appropriate tact that is making rookies fully earn their stripes.
In any event, Mike LaFleur has two solid backs he can now rely upon. Slide the unreliable Tevin Coleman into the No. 3 spot while trying to sneak undrafted free agent Zonovan Knight onto the practice squad for insurance.
Wide receiver is another position New York may have to go lighter to start. Then again, these five are pretty damn reliable.
It’s clear that this organization loves Jeff Smith. He has to be considered—at the very worst—the No. 5. Garrett Wilson will ultimately finish the season in the top trio, but for now, No. 3 (the slot) is Braxton Berrios’s gig.
Denzel Mims isn’t listed due to the idea that a training camp-timed trade could be likely (for a mid-round choice). The other tough odd-man-out would be minicamp standout D.J. Montgomery.
What was arguably the weakest Jets position a year ago may be one of their strongest this year. Tight end is ready to roll to the point that the cuts will be excruciating.
First, at fullback, I’ll give Nick Bawden the slight edge over Trevon Wesco. His run-blocking output in 2021 will be more than enough for LaFleur to bet on him.
In terms of tight end, keeping four is the minimum number at this moment. And if four are kept, both Wesco and vertical threat Lawrence Cager will have to go—something this franchise will not want to do.
The problem for Cager—who would present matchup nightmares in pass-only situations—is that Kenny Yeboah has also looked tremendous in OTAs and minicamp. I’m not sure if the Jets will be able to sneak Cager onto the practice squad without another team plucking him.
The offensive tackle position comes down to Chuma Edoga. How does this regime feel about the Mike Maccagnan pick?
If they feel good, he’ll be the No. 3. If they like what they see from mid-round pick Max Mitchell, they can go with the rookie as the swing tackle and count Conor McDermott as the No. 4.
The interior of the offensive line suddenly looks pretty deep. Nate Herbig provides them with a solid No. 4, while Dan Feeney comfortably represents the No. 5, and McDermott can also play on the inside if needed.
Out with the old beef and in with the new lean look—Saleh is fully embracing his gap-attacking 4-3 scheme.
It’s as clear as day that the new 2i-tech starter in the 4-3 base is Quinnen Williams. Instead of playing over the guard’s outside shoulder, he’ll line up inside of the guard and even sometimes in the 1-tech (over the center’s shoulder, A-gap).
Big Q and Sheldon Rankins will move down, as will John Franklin-Myers, who—based on roster construction—might be in store for a full-time inside role (3-tech). Solomon Thomas is the other extremely talented 3-tech.
Although Tanzel Smart and Jonathan Marshall have a shot, this staff loves Nathan Shepherd.
Five inside guys plus five outside guys equal 10 Jets defensive linemen. Yeah, that’s right. The best bet for a full group at any position on this depth chart is at the defensive line.
Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson may be the only two locks, interestingly. And while Saleh would love to keep Vinny Curry, it’ll be tough to keep him in tow if no injuries occur.
At this point, I would not even consider rookie Micheal Clemons a lock to make the initial 53-man roster. If not for rookie status, Curry clearly owns the advantage.
Linebacker, although still weak, is incredibly tricky. Jamien Sherwood is returning from injury (achilles), which muddies the waters. C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams are the only two locks, but a No. 3 and perhaps even a No. 2 in the nickel is desperately needed.
Watch out for little-known Marcell Harris to take the WILL (or, at the very least, the No. 2 in the nickel). If Sherwood is healthy enough to make the initial roster, he’ll be in there, as the staff loves his leadership (and No. 2 MIKE role). If he’s not healthy enough, Hamsah Nasirildeen is safe.
The last spot will be a battle between Nasirildeen and Del’Shawn Phillips. Right now, I have the upset of Phillips knocking off the kid.
Yet another tough position is at cornerback. The bodies are young and talented, and there are no easy choices here.
The top four above are locks to make the roster (barring injury or transaction). D.J. Reed, if willing, offers versatility to play both outside and the slot. Michael Carter II can also play safety if called upon.
Javelin Guidry is a nice young slot corner and Brandin Echols made some plays as a rook. The odd-man out, to me, at this very moment in time, appears to be special teams ace Justin Hardee. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a well-liked veteran, but unless injuries occur, the Jets can save $2.035 million against the cap if he’s cut.
Douglas and Saleh would love to keep him, but there are plenty of young legs to assume gunner position on the punt team (if there’s not enough space in the cornerback room).
The other tough cut would be young Rachad Wildgoose, who has looked good in OTAs and minicamp. They will surely attempt to keep him around (practice squad).
Where’s Lamarcus Joyner? Well, there’s a problem with the safety position.
First and foremost, there are a number of bodies now—as opposed to a year ago. Secondly, Jason Pinnock is rapidly on the rise. Thirdly, they won’t want to cut Ashtyn Davis loose—even if he is still raw in terms of football instincts. (They greatly respect his athleticism and worth ethic.)
Lastly, Elijah Riley brings intangibles to the table that Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich admire. He’s gritty and mucks it up, offering an attitude adjustment for his teammates at times.
The final spot will likely come down to Joyner and Riley, and although the former is much more talented than the latter, age and the overall feel of this roster suggests Riley will get the nod. Plus, Joyner isn’t the most dependable player at this stage of his career. He must first prove he can stay healthy.
I’ll give the kicking nod to veteran Greg Zuerlein for now, but it’s truly a flip-of-a-coin battle at the moment.
Braden Mann and Thomas Hennessy are locks.
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There’s no doubt about it, the numbers are tight, and there are going to be some difficult decisions to make. No matter which way they go, there will be questions by the media and fanbase, and there will be those who will be upset. I think this is an excellent effort on your part. Thanks. I don’t totally agree with it, but your rationale for your decisions make sense. I would be shocked if the Jets only keep 3 RBs, especially with Hall being a rookie, Carter (who couldn’t stay healthy last season and has a slight build), and the… Read more »
Very well thought-out article as usual. As I am an offensive-minded person, I would have 9 defensive lineman. I would have 10 offensive linemen. I would cut Yeboah and have 6 WR’s. I am very excited to see the wheeling and dealing that Joe will do after camp cuts and during the pre-season. I can see us adding a WR, OT and a LB.
I also am an offensive-minded person, but unless the Jets sign Reiff, or some other good OL becomes available, I can’t see them keeping 10. The DL depth personnel we have is better than the OL depth personnel. I agree about 6 WRs, but like Yeboah. I don’t think the Jets will need to add a WR. I think Mims is going to have a great TC, and will wind up making the team or at least making it very tough for the Jets to keep Jeff Smith over him. I hope that we can add Reiff or another good… Read more »
I like your breakdown, even though it’s so early, we know, as you mentioned “things” happen. A couple of thoughts: I don’t understand the love of Jeff Smith? His route running is nothing short of atrocious, he doesn’t attack the ball, and they have other guys who can “do what he does.” I have seen him cause several interceptions simply because he doesn’t attack the football, and his routes aren’t sharp. Get rid of him please. I’d rather watch Mims for another season than see him get pushed around and cause picks. Shepherd is also an interesting guy. I agree… Read more »
Nice comment. You’re on the money. Can’t argue with anything you said. I agree on Joyner, but that one is more of a, “I don’t trust that everything will go go *right* for him this summer, whether that’s injury or something else that’s unforeseen at this very moment.”
Per Hamsah, I would say this: There’s a great chance (over 90%) that’s he sticks to the roster. Injuries, something else, etc. will occur. BUT, if everybody remains healthy, I can see this regime splitting the baby and finally saying to themselves, “OK, perhaps two young late-round LB picks who were natural safeties in college is a bit much (him and Sherwood).” And I know how they feel about Sherwood (leadership, MIKE/leadership abilities, etc.). Sixth-round picks are never automatic, especially with the newfound depth in-house. And there’s also a good chance Sherwood is still PUP and then IR, clearing the… Read more »
Do you think they could move Hamsah back to safety? Maybe he just needs to play there? He may be a better developmental safety talent than Davis. I know there were a lot of positive reviews on him coming out of college and many thought he was the “steal” of the Jets’ draft. I find it hard to believe Sherwood isn’t on the PUP and perhaps IR to start the season, so I do think there will be room for Ham. I get your point on Hamsah, it’s sort of a “right of passage” to being a good team….you have… Read more »
Nah, I don’t think any NFL team would try to move Hamsah to safety. Not worth the effort, don’t think he’s capable—at least not in todays NFL. A few decades ago, when SS was still the traditional SS role, perhaps it’d be a thought. Not anymore.
Why wouldn’t it be worth the effort? He played safety for all 4 years at Florida St. and played it well. He had lots of tackles, had some interceptions and forced fumbles. Is he not fast enough? Not good enough in coverage?
Excellent points, but didn’t Nasirildeen fall to the 6th round because of his injury? I may be getting him confused with another player, but thought he was rated as a 2nd-3rd round pick, but fell due to injury. Rather than cut him, I’d prefer the Jets move him back to SS. He made a lot of plays at SS in college, and I think has the instincts and athleticism/speed to at least be a better backup SS than Riley.
I wholeheartedly agree regarding Jeff Smith. He may look great against the Jets’ defenses in practice, but never even looks good vs other teams in games. I think Mims is poised to break out this season and replace Davis next season. Regarding Shepherd, I don’t see what’s so interesting. Yes, he makes some plays, but he makes more boneheaded mistakes that any other 2-3 players. He was an older rookie. He was a last minute re-signing during FA. He has some usefulness as you say, but I’d much rather see Marshall make the roster over him, or a hard-working overachiever… Read more »
Thanks for the great response. It’s so early so much will happen. The thing with Ashtyn Davis, I don’t remember any plays he made, other than HUGE missed tackles, or horrible angles. It’s not that he’s not athletic etc, he has no “feel” or instincts for the position. I don’t think that’s something that can be taught.
You’re welcome. I could be wrong, but I think instincts come from a combination of knowing how to play a position, i.e., techniques and positioning, and experience. He is still learning how to play the FS position, and is getting invaluable needed experience. Remember that he didn’t even start playing football until he was a Jr. or Sr. in high school. Still, he made a lot of plays at Cal just due to his speed and athleticism. Once he fully understands how to play the position, and has that experience, he could develop and have a breakout year. He still… Read more »
I hope you’re right. I had high hopes for him and liked him but I’m having a tough time with him haha.