$49 million. That’s how much the New York Jets have spent along their offense this offseason.
Rightfully so.
After a disastrous 2023 season that saw the Jets miss the postseason for a 13th straight year thanks to an offense that finished worst in the league in many categories, New York altered the structure of the roster with shrewd draft picks and high-value signings.
Now, despite plenty of questions, the Jets field an offense far greater than the ones they have had in recent years.
Here is a first prediction of who will make the Jets’ 53-man roster on offense.
New York Jets 53-Man Roster Projection
It is not outlandish to say Gang Green has collected the most talent on paper than any other team in franchise history.
There are All-Pro talents at almost every position, and if coached properly, it could be more than enough for New York to go on a deep playoff run for the first time in 13 seasons.
Pressure is the name of the game, though, in Florham Park. As talented as this group can be, there will be questions surrounding their health and overall effectiveness under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
With their four-time NFL MVP quarterback returning to the field and multiple key additions making their introduction, this has the potential to be a top group in the league.
Quarterback (3)
Starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backups: Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis
Is this the most complete the quarterback room has been in two decades? There’s certainly reason to agree with that notion.
Not only do the Jets have a four-time NFL MVP returning to the field in 2024 in Aaron Rodgers, but Tyrod Taylor’s emergence means they have a quality backup in case another disaster strikes like it did in 2023.
To cap it off, Jordan Travis was considered a steal of a fifth-round pick. If he did not suffer his gruesome leg injury late in the college football season, it’s easy to see him being taken in the late first or early second round.
Travis will now get to rehab and learn from two quarterbacks with over 30 years of combined experience. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Running backs (4)
Starter: Breece Hall
Backup: Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
Jets GM Joe Douglas made an unusual move during draft season when he selected both Isaiah Davis and Braelon Allen on the final day. Both runners are considered power backs, and the Jets already took Abanikanda in the fifth round last year.
We’ll get more into Abanikanda’s role on the team later, but this group is young and led by one of the top backs in the game.
If Breece Hall is healthy, it won’t matter who is spelling him. The former Iowa State star is on an All-Pro trajectory and could be in for a monster season with Rodgers returning.
Wide Receivers (5)
Starter: Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams
Backup: Malachi Corley, Allen Lazard, Irv Charles
It is extremely hard to project where the Jets will end up going in the receiving room.
Undrafted free agents Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson were bright spots last season, with Gipson carving out a great role as a returner. The issue at hand is that Irv Charles is the team’s best special teams player, and with the arrival of Allen and Davis in the running back room, the final roster spot as a returner could come down to both Gipson and Abanikanda.
With Izzy’s draft status, I think it’s safe to assume the Jets will move off the undrafted free agents this year.
Tight End (3)
Starter: Tyler Conklin
Backup: Jeremy Ruckert, Zack Kuntz
Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert are going to be the top tights for the Jets this season, but don’t sleep on 2023 seventh-round pick Zack Kuntz.
The 6’8″ star out of Old Dominion is said to have gotten some important reps with Rodgers on the scout team. He could be in line for a nice year in goal-to-go situations.
Offensive Line (10)
Starter: Tyron Smith, John Simpson, Joe Tippmann, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Morgan Moses
Backup: Olu Fashanu, Max Mitchell, Wes Schweitzer, Carter Warren, Jake Hanson
Not many teams are willing to keep 10 offensive linemen on the active roster. For the Jets and their recent history, though, it’s an absolute must.
New York went through 13 different offensive line combinations and 13 different players last season — two more than the previous year’s dysfunction.
This group desperately needs continuity and could get it this year. That is, of course, if everyone stays healthy.
Of the projected starting five offensive linemen, only John Simpson played a full 17-game season last year.
