Projecting the New York Jets 2026 53-man Roster

Projecting the Jets 53-man roster before a preseason snap has taken place is a little bit like playing darts in the dark with a blindfold on, but we’ll see if we can hit a few bullseyes.

QB (2): Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik

If this team had high hopes with the season approaching it would make sense for them to either go with add a vet via trade or carry an experienced Bailey Zappe.  But as it stands, the Jets are likely going to be well below .500 and carrying Klubnik, with a chance to get some developmental reps during the season is the way to go.

RB (4): Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu

No real surprises here but expect undrafted rookie Chip Trayanum to make this a difficult decision for Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn.  Nwangwu is one of the best kick returners in the game which gets him a roster spot, but as a guy who has dealt with his fair share of injuries, Trayanum may earn a shot.

Breece Hall will be the bell cow and could see some career numbers as a receiver with Frank Reich calling plays.  For Allen, it’s time to show he belongs.

WR (6): Garrett Wilson, AD Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Isaiah Williams, Tim Patrick, Arian Smith

Wilson, Mitchell and Cooper will give the Jets an explosive trio of playmakers while Williams has performed admirably when given the chance to catch the ball.  Patrick’s size and history with Aaron Glenn gives him a shot to stick and Arian Smith gets a shot due to his draft status.

TE (4): Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods

With more teams going to triple tight end sets, carrying four may not be a bad idea nowadays.  The Jets have two guys they’ve used premium picks on in Taylor and Sadiq, while Ruckert just landed a new deal.  Jelani Woods has history with Frank Reich and could be a valuable red zone target and run blocker.

OL (9): Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Chukwuma Okorafor, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Anez Cooper

No real surprises here as the starters are set, the veteran backups are in place and of course they keep rookie Anez Cooper.  Josh Myers remains the weak link and will likely be replaced with a draft pick after the season.

DL (9): Will McDonald, Jowon Briggs, T’Vondre Sweat, David Bailey, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Darrell Jackson, David Bailey, Kingsley Enegbare, Joseph Ossai.

The Jets added a ton of beef to the D-line this season along the interior as T’Vondre Sweat, David Onyemata and rookie Darrell Jackson look to stop the run with Harrison Phillips.  The edge spot also got younger and better with David Bailey at pick number two and Kingsley Enegbare and Joseph Ossai coming along in free agency.

LB (4): DeMario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Mykal Walker, Kiko Mauigoa

Davis will be the unquestioned leader of the group and is expected to greatly improve the run defense.  Sherwood will be looking to bounce back following a down year and we’ve got Walker edging out Marcelino-McCrary Ball following a strong finish to the 2025 season on defense.

CB (6): Brandon Stephens, Azareye’h Thomas, D’Angelo Ponds, Nahshon Wright, Jarvis Brownlee, Qwan’tez Stiggers.

Wright looks to be the favorite to win the CB2 job but we’re not writing off Azareye’h Thomas.  With the addition of Ponds following the trade from Brownlee last season, this group can be sneaky good.

S (6): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, Andre Cisco, Dane Belton, VJ Payne

Fitzpatrick is listed as a safety but expect him to move around quite a bit between the box and the back end.  Moore was solid as a rookie last season and Cisco will look to bounce back from a poor season that was cut short due to injury.  Dane Belton should help quite a bit against the run and VJ Payne will likely work at special teams for much of the season.

Specials (3): Austin McNamara (P), Jason Sanders (K), Thomas Hennessy (LS)

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