The JetsFix 53-man Roster Relay: Third Leg

As we did last 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 preseason this will be reflected in the next leg of the relay, along with other developments such as injuries.

Taking the baton for today's leg is nebkreb, a long-time reader and first-time contributor...

Suspended: Chris Herndon, Brandon Copeland

I wouldn't be surprised to see Copeland cut. Gase seemed to have been scaling back his snaps before the suspension.

PUP: Blessuan Austin

Gonna be a redshirt year for him

IR: Avery Williamson

We miss ya. Might be a cap casualty after this year and so, has possibly played his last down for the Jets.

QB (2):Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian

Pretty cut and dry. Darnold is our shining golden light and Siemian is a perfectly capable backup. Hopefully he doesn't take a meaningful snap. Webb looks Hackenberg-levels of bad. Falk is a lottery ticket long shot.

(Ed. Note - No change from the previous leg)

RB (4):LeVeon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, Trenton Cannon

Bell and Montgomery are locks. I think Powell makes it for depth, and he's a veteran guy that is respected. Cannon makes it for special teams value - I doubt he gets many snaps on offense. Elijah McGuire was pretty bad last year, and his greatest value as a pass catcher is dwarfed by LeVeon's and Montgomery's abilities in that area. Adios.

(Ed. Note - McGuire's exit is the only change)

WR (6):Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder, Josh Bellamy, Greg Dortch, Deontay Burnett

First three are locks, and I think the coaching staff likes Bellamy too. He can contribute on offense and specials. Dortch has all but snapped up the return job. Burnett benefits from his chemistry with Darnold, and some brief flashes last year. Charone Peake is cut, made irrelevant by Bellamy and other special teams contributors.

(Ed. Note - No change)

TE (3): Trevon Wesco, Daniel Brown, Ryan Griffin

Herndon is of course suspended. Wesco is the team's de facto fullback, and has shown some promise as a blocker. Until Herndon returns, I imagine we'll see Enunwa lining up in a more tight end-ish role. Brown and Griffin are veterans who aren't complete zeroes. Gase has zero connection to Eric Tomlinson and he's cut.

(Ed. Note - No change)

OT (4):Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell, Chuma Edoga, Brent Qvale

Beachum and Shell are the starters clearly. Edoga has some talent but is not ready for anything other than a few snaps here or there. Qvale is veteran depth and he's pretty versatile. I wouldn't be shocked to see him go, especially if we add some OT depth on the waiver wire. Might make the first round of cuts.

(Ed. Note - Qvale's inclusion is the only change)

IOL (5): Matt Kalil, Kelechi Osemele, Brian Winters, Alex Lewis, Jonotthan Harrison

Kalil, Osemele and Winters are your veteran starters. Lewis has potential but needs to stay healthy. Would be nice if he could replace Winters in a year. Harrison is a fine backup center. Tom Compton might make it, especially if the Jets only carry three tackles.

(Ed. Note - Aside from the shocking decision to replace Ryan Kalil with his inferior brother who plays a different position - which was probably a mistake - Compton's exclusion is the only change)

DL (6): Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Steve McClendon, Bronson Kaufusi, Foley Fatukasi.

The Williamses and Anderson are locks. McClendon is a solid space-eater inside and a strong veteran presence in the locker room. Kaufusi has really impressed this offseason and is projected to be a starting DE when they play a 4-3. Fatukasi has overtaken Nathan Shepherd for the last spot, though he's on the edge of getting cut. Another guy who might make the first round, but is then gone to make room for a waiver wire addition. Hopefully they can trade Shepherd to a DL-needy team.

(Ed. Note - Shepherd goes out and Kaufusi comes in)

EDGE (4): Jordan Jenkins, Frankie Luvu, Jachai Polite, Tarell Basham

This position made my heart hurt. Jenkins is perfectly average. Luvu has been a nice surprise, contributing last year. Polite is a project with high potential, but I doubt he's active most games, especially the first half of the year. Basham is a solid depth guy who contributes on specials.

(Ed. Note - Basham comes in for the suspended Copeland)

ILB (5): CJ Mosley, Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt, Albert McClellan, James Burgess

Mosley is the obvious guy here. I think Cashman and Hewitt combine to replace Williamson - Hewitt on the early downs, Cashman against the pass. Hopefully the rookie takes the position by the horns and is the full-time starter by week 10. McClellan is a good special teamer that Douglas knows from his Baltimore days. Burgess has made some nice plays in the preseason.

(Ed. Note - Burgess and McClellan come in for Anthony Wint and the injured Williamson)

CB (7): Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole, Marcus Cooper, Kyron Brown, Tevaughn Campbell, Arthur Maulet

What a freaking s**tshow. I think they go with quantity because the quality certainly isn't there. especially if Trumaine is injured. Cooper has actual NFL experience which makes him safer than the young guys. I actually think they add at least one CB off waivers, maybe two, so Maulet, Campbell and Brown shouldn't get too comfortable. Of the three, I think Brown is the safest. Parry Nickerson is cut and I bet Tampa claims him on waivers.

(Ed. Note - Campbell and Cooper come in but Nickerson is out)

S (4): Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Rontez Miles, Brandon Bryant

Jamal is the best Jet since prime Revis and I love him. It's good to see Maye healthy and practicing again. If he's on the field, he and Prez are a great safety duo. Miles has drawn praise from Gase, and is a special teams guy. Bryant is developmental - has a lot of talent but very raw. Gase has zero connection to Doug Middleton, and he's cut.

(Ed. Note - Bryant for Middleton is the only change)

ST: Kicker-To-Be-Named-Later, Lachlan Edwards, Thomas Hennessey

The Jets kicker in week one is not on the team. Bertolet is, at best, below average. Edwards holds off Matt Darr for the punting spot, and Thomas Hennessey takes a break from his alcohol-making to long snap.

(Ed. Note - Basically no change - SJF had the kicker down as "Bertolet...for now")

Practice Squad:
INT: Valentine Holmes - Jets get a guaranteed spot for the former Rugby player who was pretty good in the preseason.
1) Luke Falk - development, scout team QB
2) Quincy Adeboyejo - I believe he's eligible (Ed. Note - Yes, he is)
3) Jeff Smith - the most boring of names
4) Jon Toth - 3rd string center
5) Kyle Phillips - UDFA DL, has talent
6) Myquon Stout - what a great last name for a run-stuffing DL
7) Jamey Mosley - he's actually been okay, not just a Keep-CJ-Happy decision
8) Harvey Langi - LB depth is important, developmental guy
9) Alex Brown - more CB depth
10) Dee Delaney - more CB depth

(Ed. Note - Adeboyejo, Toth, Stout, Mosley and Delaney are in. Bryant was promoted to the active roster. Jordan Morgan, Wyatt Miller, Tim White, Justin Alexandre and Davis Webb - whose inclusion was a mistake anyway - are out)

Guys at danger of being cut after waiver wire additions: Trenton Cannon, Brent Qvale, Foley Fatukasi, all cornerbacks besides Tru/Poole/Roberts/Cooper

We'll have the anchor leg for you ahead of next Thursday's game...