What Stands Out About the Jets’ Initial 53-Man Roster?  (2024)

Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.

Today's question: What will be the Jets' most challenging roster decision?

EA: This is one of the best rosters in the NFL. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are on the verge of superstardom while Tyron Smith and Aaron Rodgers are future Hall of Famers who will play at an elite level. Quinnen Williams is a top-three defensive tackle, C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams are a dynamic inside linebacker pair and the corner group, headlined by Sauce Gardner, might be the league's best. The Jets have real depth not only along the defensive line but the offensive line as well. Credit Joe Douglas' and Robert Saleh's staffs for having eight UDFAs – including rookie DL Braiden McGregor, Leonard Taylor and Eric Watts – connected to this roster. The news is also favorable for WR Mike Williams as the contested catcher is taking reps and Saleh said he had a big practice day on Thursday. For years, you could count on the Jets having a strong defense and sound special teams play. This offense can be explosive. Soon, the league is going to find out what this team is all about. It's go time.

EG: The experience among their depth pieces. The offensive line is where that's most prevalent as all the reserves, minus rookie Olu Fashanu, started games for the Jets last season. The defensive line, as per usual, has many experienced pieces as Jeff Ulbrich and Aaron Whitecotton will deploy their rotation. Even though three rookie undrafted players made the team (Leonard Taylor, Eric Watts and Braiden McGregor), the Jets' pass rush consists of six former first-round picks. At LB, Jamien Sherwood has starting experience. The most inexperienced position, in my opinion, is backup cornerback and running back. Brandin Echols has started 15 games since he was drafted in 2021, but second-year man Jarrick Bernard-Converse took 4 snaps on defense last season and rookie CB Qwan'tez Stiggers hasn't played in a regular season game, like backup RBs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. The depth of the roster is much different than when Robert Saleh was hired, which is a testament to the work GM Joe Douglas and Saleh have done together.

RL: Last week I wrote that the D-line would contain the Jets' most challenging roster decisions. But what challenge? Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh kept them all — or almost all. Saleh and his staff went with 10 linemen on that initial 53, not counting DL Leki Fotu, who starts on IR. But Takk McKinley? What an incredible story. Against the Giants, he got his first sack in any game since '21, he said he wanted to be a Jet and he practiced and played that way, and here he is as part of the edge rotation. Then who keeps three undrafted free agent D-linemen on their roster? The Jets, that's who, with edgemen Braiden McGregor and Eric Watts and interior presence Leonard Taylor. Of course, all 10 may not be active for any one game, and someone will be moved assuming Haason Reddick arrives at any time. But as Douglas said this week, "We have a really deep room with a lot of good players."

CH: I'll go with the three UDFA's on the defensive line in Leonard Taylor, Eric Watts, and Braiden McGregor. When defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton spoke about Watts during training camp, he said he "thanked the Lord" someone with his physical characteristics wasn't drafted so that the Jets could sign him. I think each of these players add different value to the front. Robert Saleh said, "They each have a distinct skillset and they utilize it. It's very clear on tape the way they try to win is very different with each of them, but all very productive." There's something special about each of these players that made the Jets want to keep them.

JP: The youth at the skill positions. The Green & White are in win-now mode with 40-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers at the helm and have an extremely young group of skill players, but inexperience isn't a bad thing. At wideout, Rodger's No. 1 target will be Garrett Wilson (24), who his entering his third season coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. Other than Wilson, the Jets have the veteran duo Mike Williams (29) and Allen Lazard (28), but they'll also be relying on second-year wideout Xavier Gipson (23) and rookie Malachi Corley (22). They each progressed throughout camp and should be viable options. As for the running backs, the elder statesman is 23-year-old Breece Hall. The rookie duo of Braelon Allen (20) and Isaiah Davis (22) impressed in the preseason and will likely have roles even with Hall in the lineup. At first glance, the supporting cast around Rodgers may appear green on paper, but it's a group of talented playmakers.