The NY Jets have managed to completely revamp their roster this offseason, bringing in a host of new players to solidify themselves as genuine Super Bowl contenders entering the 2024 season.
The likes of Tyron Smith, Mike Williams, and, most recently, Haason Reddick are just some of the most high-profile additions the Jets have made. The Jets genuinely boast one of the most talented rosters in the NFL — at least on paper.
However, a mass influx of new talent is oftentimes bad news for certain members of the team. There are only 53 roster spots to go around, and considering the Jets already have 65 players under contract at the time of writing, some difficult decisions will have to be made.
Some of those roster cuts may be obvious and expected, while others could come as a result of the Jets’ numerous offseason additions. Let’s take a look at a few somewhat notable players who likely won’t make the Jets’ 53-man roster in September.
QB Zach Wilson
This one is rather obvious. Zach Wilson is a safe bet to be the first player on this list to depart the team, as the expectation is still that the Jets will either trade or release him in the coming weeks.
Jets owner Woody Johnson told reporters last week that the Jets could consider holding on to Wilson in 2024, but it’s hard to take that at face value. Wilson will be looking for a new team in the near future.
WR Jason Brownlee
The Jets made a massive addition to their wide receiver room when they signed former Los Angeles Chargers wideout Mike Williams this month. Williams likely isn’t the only addition the Jets will make to the position group, either.
That could be bad news for a player like Jason Brownlee, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of Southern Miss. He’s likely behind Garrett Wilson, Williams, Allen Lazard, and Xavier Gipson on the depth chart, and Irv Charles has a good chance to stick around due to his special-teams value.
That could leave Brownlee on the outside looking in, especially if the Jets add another wide receiver as many expect them to. He might be a candidate for the practice squad instead.
DT Tanzel Smart
Everyone’s favorite “Hard Knocks” standout, Tanzel Smart has miraculously managed to last four years with the Jets’ organization, although a lot of his time has been spent on the practice squad. Smart has appeared in just 10 games over four seasons — four of which came in 2023.
The Jets’ defensive line is loaded, and it’s hard to envision a path to the 53-man roster for Smart with Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, and Leki Fotu all ahead of him. There’s a good chance he’s stashed on the practice squad again if the Jets have room.
OT Max Mitchell
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Max Mitchell was thrust into action as a rookie, and while he wasn’t going to qualify for any All-Pro teams, the Louisiana native held his own in a starting role.
Unfortunately, Mitchell struggled mightily in 2023, and the additions of Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, combined with the presence of Carter Warren, could be bad news for Mitchell’s roster hopes.
Right now, he’s still the de facto fourth tackle on the depth chart, but many expect the Jets to make at least one more addition at this spot. If that happens, Mitchell might not survive roster cuts.