Three Jets' fan favorites whose roster spot may be in jeopardy after the draft
I wrote earlier about the Jets potential 53-man roster following the draft and (most of) free agency. It became clear that the Jets have a surplus at a few positions that might mean a few tough roster cuts might be on the horizon. Of course, anything can happen between now and the start of the […]
I wrote earlier about the Jets potential 53-man roster following the draft and (most of) free agency. It became clear that the Jets have a surplus at a few positions that might mean a few tough roster cuts might be on the horizon.
Of course, anything can happen between now and the start of the season that could change plans quickly, but if everything goes the way it should, then the Jets are going to face some difficult decisions.
There are a few players who may even be fan-favorites that are given their walking papers as the team tries to whittle down their roster from the current 90 men to the 53 mandated by the league. This is the dreaded “business side” of the league that the player talk about, but when fans become attached to players, it gets emotional.
So here are three players on the Jets roster that fans should prepare themselves to see cut after training camp is over.
Jason Brownlee, WR
Brownlee became a darling last year with his incredible catches in training camp, and his journey to try and make the team on Hard Knocks. The Jets shocked the world by not only keeping him, but fellow undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson out of training camp.
Gipson beat out Mecole Hardman to be the team’s primary punt returner and Brownlee was destined to see a lot of work at wide receiver. But it wasn’t meant to be.
Despite making the roster, Brownlee barely saw any action on offense. He played in just seven games, saw eight targets, and had only five receptions all year. Whatever shine Brownlee had coming out of training camp seem to have vanished in an instant once the regular season started.
Here we are again where the Jets are posting Brownlee highlights in OTA’s and people are expecting big things from the second year receiver.
But the Jets were active in the wide receiver market in both the draft and free agency this off season which tells you what they think of they depth they have at the position. Garrett Wilson isn’t going anywhere. Then there is the contractual black hole that is Allen Lazard who isn’t going anywhere. Xavier Gipson is likely the team’s returner and in a fight to be the starting slot receiver. Add new additions Malachi Corley and Mike Williams and roster spots are drying up fast for a guy who had only got eight targets last year. Brownlee will have to beat out Irv Charles and a few hungry UDRFA for one of the last roster spots.
Izzy Abanikanda, RB
Another darling from last year’s season of Hard Knocks. Izzy showed a lot of promise in preseason before an injury sidelined him for the beginning of the season. He was going to be the flash in the pan member of the running back committee which consisted of Breece Hall, who was returning from his ACL injury and Dalvin Cook who was trying to prove he still had a lot left in the tank.
Turns out Breece didn’t need much help at the position and Dalvin didn’t have much left. Despite the lack of production from any back not named “Breece”, Izzy saw only 22 carries on the season for a paltry 70 yards rushing.
Combine his lack of use with the fact that the Jets drafted not one, but two running backs in this year’s draft and you are looking at full running back room. With Breece being the bell cow back that he is, there simply isn’t enough carries to go around to keep four running backs.
Izzy might find himself on the outside looking in while the offensive coaches play with their new toys.
Tanzel Smart, DL
Probably the most popular Jets player from Hard Knocks last year after the “Car-coochie” board comment, Tanzel has been up and down from the Jets practice squad.
After signing with the Jets practice squad out of camp last year, Smart was called up to the active roster for the Halloween game and was active for four games. As much as he works to keep himself ready and improve, I imagine it will be a similar story this year as it was last year for Smart.
The Jets brought back Solomon Thomas and brought in Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw to pair with Quinnen Williams along the interior of the Jets defensive line. It will likely come down Smart and undrafted rookie Leonard Taylor III out of Miami for the final spot.
Taylor went completely undrafted after garnering first round hype just a year ago and the Jets were excited to bring him in as an undrafted free agent. Taylor posted a 15% pressure rate as an interior defensive lineman two years ago which would have ranked second in this draft class.
In the end, that might be too enticing for Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich to give up along their defensive front.
As I said, a lot can happen between now and the start of the season. Having to cut talented players is a good problem to have, as long as you make the right decisions. The fans may be rooting for some of these players to make the cut, but in the end, Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh and the rest of the coaching staff need to do what's best for the 2024 Jets.
