The 2023 JetsFix Roster Relay: Anchor Leg

As we do every year, we're going to mark preseason with a series of fan-sourced roster projections. The idea is that as players make their case in each preseason game this will be reflected in the next leg of the relay, along with other developments such as injuries.

Taking on the baton for the anchor leg is a reddit guy who faces a real life race to the finish line as he tries to get his leg posted before the Jets' cuts all get announced anyway. It's Sunset Boulevard ...

I will anchor our 2023 relay race and take the handoff from my esteemed colleague greggreen… well, it’s nice to know there is a floor to this thing. Big thanks to the first three writers 68, EP, and Gregg for getting everything completely wrong so that I could write a halfway decent roster prediction from the scraps of their rosters. Please do not be too hard on them, I know they did the best they could without the infallible reddit guy to guide the way. Without further ado…

Offense:

QB (2) – Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson

This position is fairly self-explanatory. Tim Boyle’s immaculate vibes weren’t enough to offset his unimmaculate skills but they’ll make their way onto our practice squad so that Rodgers may continue to enjoy his company. Zach Wilson will serve as Rodgers’ veteran mentor.

RB (4) – Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter, Nick Bawden
Israel Abanikanda to IR

Carter’s absence from our second preseason game and his start in our third preseason game with the rest of the starters confirms his victory in the battle of the mids. Abanikanda’s great preseason notwithstanding, his injury gives us an opportunity to play some roster gymnastics with a player who likely wasn’t going to see many snaps behind this trio. A fullback on our roster is a return to a time when America was great. I am, of course, speaking of 2010 when the Jets made the playoffs and Tony Richardson paved the way. What were you thinking of?

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Abanikanda to IR).

WR (6) – Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, Xavier Gibson, Jason Brownlee

The untimely retirement of Corey Davis puts a little more onus on our less heralded wide receivers than some would be comfortable with, but with a strong preseason showing earning the praise of Aaron Rodgers, Gibson and Brownlee make the active roster. Gibson in particular can spell Hardman on special teams, especially if Hardman lives up to the role that the Jets envision for him on offense.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Robbie Chosen out, Brownlee in).

TE (3) – CJ Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, Jeremy Ruckert

Uzomah’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances continues to shine as he seeks to kiss up to his third starting quarterback in his second season with the Jets. It is difficult to not find a spot for several promising young tight ends, but Ruckert looks like he’s established himself on this roster. Something something young tight ends, something something Kuntz.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Kuntz out).

OL (10) – Duane Brown, Billy Turner, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Joe Tippmann, Max Mitchell, Wes Schweitzer, Ty Nsekhe
Carter Warren to IR

Mekhi Becton’s resurrection obviates the need for Jason Peters but the Jets make a quick free agent add in Ty Neskhe to maintain some depth at the position and give Brown someone to play pinochle with. Until proven otherwise, “Carter Warren” is an offshore account used by the Johnson’s to launder that sweet cancerous baby powder money who could also benefit from some time in the playbook. Elijah Vera Cruz was a regrettable but necessary cut as it appears that he does not exist outside of the imagination of Carl Banks.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Jason Peters out, Nsekhe in).

Defense:

IDL (4) – Quinnen Williams, Solomon Thomas, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson

A position as deep as it is girthy. I wouldn’t change a thing.

EDGE (7) – Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II, Bryce Huff, Michael Clemons, Will McDonald IV, Bruce Hector

Despite getting a sack every other time he’s on the field, Bryce Huff manages to still make the team against all odds. What a multicultural group! Hyphenates, roman numerals, and rejected character names from Braveheart. Make that two rejected character names from Braveheart, Bruce Hector does just enough to stick around.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Lawson and Hector in).

LB (4) – CJ Mosley, Quincy Williams, Zaire Barnes, Chazz Surratt

CJ Mosley continues his assault on PFF and our eyes partnered with nepo baby Quincy Williams. Chazz Surratt’s speed and burgeoning coverage ability earns him a spot on our roster as the primary backup linebacker while Zaire Barnes rounds out this group. I am not a believer in Jamien Sherwood and wish him luck in his next late steps.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Christian Kirksey and Sherwood out, Surratt in).

CB (5) – Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed, Michael Carter, Anthony Brown, Justin Hardee
Brandin Echols suspended, Jimmy Moreland to IR

Cornerback has always been my favorite position in football and this is one of the most complete rooms we’ve assembled in my time as a fan. With Moreland’s untimely injury, we pull up Anthony Brown to man the fourth spot. I appreciated EP’s point about Hardee with the decreased emphasis on special teams, but for now he sticks around, to the chagrin of beat reporters everywhere. This room is a little short for week one but that is covered by the versatility of the safety position with the potential for some three safety sets. The Jets walk into week one with a shortened roster to call up Echols immediately after the end of his suspension.

(Editor's note: Changes since the last leg - Chandon Sullivan out, Brown in).

S (4) – Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adams, Adrian Amos, Ashtyn Davis
Jarrick Bernard-Converse to IR

Tony Adams seizes a starting spot out of nowhere while Ashtyn Davis disconnects from Call of Duty long enough to pursue the ball carrier at an appropriate angle (sometimes). Conversely, Jarrick Bernard-Converse is a collective hallucination on the part of Jetsfix. You have to wake up, it wasn’t your fault.

ST (3) – Greg Zuerlein, Thomas Morstead, Thomas Hennessey

Oh, the NFL hasn’t legislated this part of the game out yet?

PS (16) – Tim Boyle, Alex Erickson, EJ Jenkins, Trystan Colon, Deslin Alexandre, Claud Cherelus, Trey Dean, Sam Eguavoen, Derrick Langford, Malik Taylor, Tanzel Smart, Javelin Guidry, Brett Toth, TJ Luther, Travis Dye, Kahlef Hailassie

The Jets work to maintain some of their most promising undrafted players and keep a few guys who know their playbooks at some of the thinner positions. Brett Toth from the Eagles shores up any catastrophic (read: average Jets) positional injuries at guard while Kahlef Hailassie makes his prodigal return to our practice squad.

Thanks to all our relay runners this year and tune in to JetsFix tomorrow for the cuts tracker...