Training camp and the preseason is the time for players to establish themselves as contributors and lock down roster spots.
It is also the place where NFL dreams sometimes go to die.
The Jets can only carry 53 players once the beginning of the regular season arrives — a far cry from the 90 they currently have in the building with training camp now two weeks in. New York would likely prefer to keep more than 53 players around considering the talent it has at One Jets Drive, but that is not how things work in professional football.
Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh are going to have some excruciating decisions to make at the end of August. Which players did just enough to make the 53-man squad? Which players fell just short and will now have to seek a new opportunity elsewhere? Those questions will be answered after countless hours of watching film and deliberating.
We at Jets Wire took a crack at projecting the 53-man roster after Saturday’s preseason opener against the Giants. All of the cuts predicted in that piece can be seen directly below, followed by explanations for the toughest severances.
- QB: Josh Johnson, James Morgan
- RB: Josh Adams, Austin Walter
- WR: Manasseh Bailey, Braxton Berrios, Lawrence Cager, Josh Malone, D.J. Montgomery, Jeff Smith
- TE: Daniel Brown, Kenny Yeboah
- OL: Tristen Hoge, Corey Levin, Jimmy Murray, David Moore
- DL: Ronald Blair, Michael Dwumfour, Kyle Phillips, Hamilcar Rashed Jr., Tanzel Smart
- LB: Noah Dawkins, Camilo Eifler, Del’Shawn Phillips, Edmond Robinson, Brendon White
- CB: Corey Ballentine, Elijah Campbell, Lamar Jackson, Zane Lewis
- S: Bennett Jackson, J.T. Hassell
- K: Chris Naggar (released Monday)