With only one preseason game left before the start of the regular season, Jets head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas have a lot of difficult decisions to make.

The Jets have already had three preseason games to get a good look at the players on the back end of the depth chart. Few players can claim they didn’t get a fair shake considering the Jets wasted almost zero time playing the starters in the preseason.

NFL rosters must be trimmed to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 29 and there are still a few spots that seem up for grabs.

Here are my predictions for how the Jets will construct their 53 man roster going into week one. 

Jets 53 Man Roster Predictions

Quarterback (2)

Aaron Rodgers

Zach Wilson

Tim Boyle has not done enough in preseason to warrant a spot on the 53. He has been bad this preseason and is really only on the team at this point because of his relationship with Nathaniel Hackett and Rodgers. He may be signed to the practice squad, but my guess is the Jets might bargain shop after final cuts are made.

Running Back (5)

Breece Hall

Dalvin Cook

Michael Carter

Izzy Abanikanda

Nick Bawden

I went with Michael Carter over Zonovan Knight here after the lackluster performance Knight had against the Bucs. The Dalvin Cook signing made one of them expendable and I believe it was Knight’s job to lose going into the Bucs game and he lost it.

If the Jets want to run out the clock on games, a good fullback will certainly help them in the power running game. Also, with the questions at offensive tackle still lingering in the air, Bawden offers some more protection in the backfield for Rodgers.

Wide Receiver (6)

Garrett Wilson

Corey Davis

Mecole Hardman

Allen Lazard

Randall Cobb

Xavier Gipson

This was one of the hardest calls to make for the sixth receiver spot. Xavier Gipson, Malik Taylor and Jason Brownlee have all been pushing each other this preseason to make the team.

It was really hard for me not to put Jason Brownlee’s name on the roster but in the end, special teams wins out on the bottom of the roster and Gipson offers more in the Special Teams department than Brownlee.  Brownlee is the better pure receiver.

Tight End (3)

Tyler Conklin

Jeremy Ruckert

C.J. Uzomah

Zack Kuntz has played decent in his first training camp, but he has a long way to go before he can contribute. Kenny Yeboah never quite took his game to the next level. My guess is one of them winds up on the practice squad with the edge going to Kuntz.

Offensive Line (10)

Duane Brown

Laken Tomlinson

Connor McGovern

Alijah Vera-Tucker

Mekhi Becton

Max Mitchell

Wes Schweitzer

Carter Warren

Joe Tippmann

Billy Turner

Remember that old saying “water water everywhere and not a drop to drink”? The Jets have “linemen linemen everwhere and not a left tackle to block”. The closest thing they have is Duane Brown who has yet to practice.

I’m surprised Mekhi Becton is still on the team as I thought the Jets might look to trade him. Turner and Mitchell will both make the team but as far as who starts it is still very much up for grabs.

Defensive Line (10)

Carl Lawson

Quinnen Williams

Al Woods

John Franklin-Myers

Jermaine Johnson

Will McDonald

Micheal Clemons

Bryce Huff

Quinton Jefferson

Solomon Thomas

What can you say about this group except good luck to the Jets opponents? Every one of these guys could play significant snaps on another team and the Jets will roll them out like a green tidal wave against opponents.

The only thing that could make this interesting is if the Jets look to flip one of these guys (Bryce Huff maybe?) for some help at another position.

Linebacker (4)

Quincy Williams

C.J. Mosley

Jamien Sherwood

Chazz Surratt

In another extremely close position battle, I gave the edge to Surratt over Zaire Barnes. We saw on Hard Knocks just how invested Robert Saleh is in the 26-year-old Surratt. Barnes is a rookie that may wind up on the practice squad. 

Corner (6)

Sauce Gardner

DJ Reed

Michael Carter

Jarrick Bernard-Converse

Bryce Hall

Justin Hardee

So, this one comes with a little bit of an asterisk. The Jets will likely keep Brandin Echols when he comes back for Week 2. Remember, he won’t count against the 53 for Week 1 while suspended.

The staff loves the versatility of Bernard-Converse despite the fact he has yet to practice during camp. He could also be listed as safety.

Justin Hardee could be listed under special teams, but he is technically a corner though I don’t see him playing there very much.

Safety (4)

Jordan Whitehead

Tony Adams

Adrian Amos

Ashtyn Davis

Much like Bam Knight played himself out of a position against the Bucs, Ashtyn Davis might have done enough to keep himself on the roster although I expect him to be special teamer.

It’s becoming clear that Adams has jumped Amos on the depth chart and will start Week 1, though don’t be surprised to see three-safety packages.

Specials (3)

Greg Zuerlein (K)

Thomas Morstead (P)

Thomas Hennessy (LS)

Zuelein has been great in preseason, and he is a big weapon on the team with his ability to make kicks well beyond 50 yards. And hey, we may need to punt the ball at times.

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A lot of these decisions will not only come down to player vs. player, but position vs. position. The Jets might feel the need to carry six wide receivers considering their talent at the position, but it will come at the expense of another player elsewhere on the roster.

There is also the possibility that the Jets shop the free agent market once all 32 teams make their final cuts and Joe Douglas thinks he can get an upgrade elsewhere.

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