2021 New York Jets Roster Projections

Overtime Heroics Editorial

866 days ago

The New York Jets just completed their first offseason led by Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. Throughout the offseason, there were some exciting moves. They added a few key free agents who will be counted on in a big way. The draft class has the potential to set the franchise up for years to come. Douglas and Saleh hope second overall pick Zach Wilson can show promise to turn the culture of the Jets around. Despite the fun offseason, the Jets still have some weaknesses throughout their roster. Here, the team will be assessed in this 55 man roster projection.

New York Jets Roster Projections: Offense

Quarterback: Zach Wilson, Mike White and James Morgan.

All eyes will be on the rookie, Wilson. Morgan should make the roster in only his second season as a fourth-round pick. A veteran backup could be added as it is a need. If this were to happen it would probably lead to White’s spot being taken.

Running Back: Michael Carter, Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman and La’Mical Perine.

All four of these players will likely have a role in a backfield by committee type of approach. Carter will be fun to watch, he fits the zone running scheme well and will be a reliable receiving option for Wilson as a rookie. Johnson is certainly a player to watch out for with his explosiveness. Coleman has played in this offensive system most of his career and has great speed. In his second season, Perine can bring power running inside with his size.

Wide Receiver: Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and Braxton Berrios.

Davis and Moore are two very exciting additions who should be big contributors for years to come. Crowder will be a great slot option for Wilson in his rookie year. It will be fun to watch Mims grow in his second year. He showed some great flashes of potential as a rookie and should be more involved. Cole was a good addition who brings a versatile skillset and depth. Berrios had a good year last season and should continue to be a key special teamer.

Tight End: Chris Herndon, Tyler Kroft, Trevon Wesco (FB) and Kenny Yeboah.

This is Herndon’s last chance to put it all together. He has the athletic ability and is a good blocker so hopefully, he can play consistently. Kroft is a veteran presence for this group who will help as a blocker. Wesco could see a lot of snaps at fullback with his great ability as a blocker. Yeboah is an exciting undrafted free agent. He will have an opportunity to take reps as a pass-catching option.

New York Jets Roster — FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 03: New York Jets offensive guard Greg Van Roten (62) gets set during a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets on January 3, 2021, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Offensive Line: Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Connor McGovern, Cameron Clark, George Fant, Greg Van Roten, Conor McDermott, Chuma Edoga, and Dan Feeney.

Becton, Vera-Tucker, McGovern, and Fant are four definite starters. Clark and Van Roten will likely compete for the starting right guard position. McDermott, Edoga, and Feeney provide depth to round out this group.

New York Jets Roster Projections: Defense

Defensive Tackle: Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Folorunso Fatukasi, Sheldon Rankins, Kyle Phillips, Nathan Shepherd and Jonathan Marshall.

Williams should only get better in his third season especially playing in more of an attacking scheme. Franklin-Myers and Fatukasi are two great players who fly under the radar. Fatukasi should continue to anchor this run defense. Franklin-Myers had great success as a pass rusher a year ago. It will be interesting to see if Saleh uses Franklin-Myers similarly to how he deployed Arik Armstead along the defensive front.

On early downs, Armstead played on the edge and would then kick inside on obvious passing plays. Rankins was a solid sign who provides veteran depth and will help as an interior pass rusher. Having Phillips back will be good for this front, he can also play on the edge. Marshall has great athletic ability. It will be interesting to see what type of role Shepherd has.

Defensive End: Carl Lawson, Vinny Curry, Jabari Zuniga and Bryce Huff.

Lawson provides an edge presence that the Jets simply have not had in a while. Curry is a veteran leader who will help on passing downs. It is a big year for Zuniga. He does provide positional flexibility along the defensive line like Franklin-Myers and Phillips. Huff showed good things as an undrafted rookie.

Linebacker: C.J. Mosley, Jarrad Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen and Blake Cashman.

Having Mosley back will be great. Davis was signed in free agency and will bring some speed to the second level of this defense. Sherwood and Nasirildeen are two rookies converting from safety. They both have talent and will be given opportunities to contribute early. Cashman provides depth and should help on special teams.

Cornerback: Bryce Hall, Jason Pinnock, Javelin Guidry, Brandin Echols, Justin Hardee and Bless Austin.

Hall and Guidry both showed good things as rookies. Hall is currently the best outside corner of this group. It seems like Guidry will start in the slot. Pinnock and Echols are two rookies who will likely compete for starting spots. Hardee was a free agent signing I liked. He is a great special teams contributor and will help improve the culture of the team. Austin provides depth and should contribute on special teams.

Safety: Marcus Maye, Ashtyn Davis, Lamarcus Joyner and Michael Carter II.

Maye is coming off a great year and should only continue to get better. Davis is a special athlete who hopefully takes a big step in his second year. The Joyner signing in free agency was an exciting addition. He will be back at safety where he has played some great ball. It seems like Carter II can play either free safety or the slot corner position; he has great speed. Expect Saleh to implement a lot of three safety looks like he did with the 49ers.