Roster cuts are about to begin in the NFL with teams cutting down to 75 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday and 53 by 4 p.m. Aug. 30.
Here’s a look at our projected 53-man roster for the Jets with two preseason games remaining:
Quarterbacks (3)
Geno Smith, Michael Vick, Matt Simms
Analysis: Tajh Boyd has been awful in camp. The only question here is whether the Jets go with just two quarterbacks on the active roster. I think they’ll stick with three.
Running backs (5)
Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Daryl Richardson, Tommy Bohanon
Analysis: I think Richardson barely makes it. He’s had a nice training camp and he’s a nice insurance policy with Ivory’s injury history.
Wide receivers (7)
Eric Decker, David Nelson, Jeremy Kerley, Stephen Hill, Greg Salas, Jacoby Ford, Jalen Saunders
Analysis: This is a very high number of receivers, but I consider Ford and Saunders return men who just happen to be listed as receivers. Salas could get cut, but if the Jets truly are all about competition, he deserves to be on the team after having an outstanding camp. Hill sticks because of his potential and the lack of alternatives.
Tight ends (3)
Jeff Cumberland, Jace Amaro, Zach Sudfeld
Analysis: No real decisions to make here.
Offensive line (8)
Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Breno Giacomini, Willie Colon, Brian Winters, Oday Aboushi, Dakota Dozier, Dalton Freeman
Analysis: You could argue for nine here, but I’m taking a roster spot away from here and giving it to Salas. The key is Aboushi’s versatility. He can be a backup at guard and tackle, making tackle Ben Ijalana expendable. Freeman is the only player other than Mangold in this group who can snap the ball.
Defensive line (5)
Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, Kenrick Ellis, Leger Douzable
Analysis: I really like what T.J. Barnes and Kerry Hyder have done in training camp, but this unit is just too talented to keep them around.
Linebackers (9)
David Harris, Demario Davis, Quinton Coples, Calvin Pace, Jason Babin, Nick Bellore, A.J. Edds, Garrett McIntyre, IK Enemkpali
Analysis: I think Antwan Barnes starts the season on the PUP, leaving a spot here for Enemkpali, the sixth-round pick. He has made some plays in the preseason. It’s tough to cut fifth-round pick Jeremiah George, but he has not shown up in camp. Edds is a solid backup at inside linebacker, something the Jets have been missing.
Defensive backs (10)
Dee Milliner, Dimitri Patterson, Calvin Pryor, Dawan Landry, Antonio Allen, Jaiqwuan Jarrett, Ellis Lankster, Darrin Walls, Kyle Wilson, Josh Bush
Analysis: This group won’t look like this on opening day. I think John Idzik will add a cornerback cut by another team. Technically, I’m keeping five safeties, a high number, but Allen has become a swingman between cornerback and safety, and there is not enough special-teams talent elsewhere to leave Bush off the roster.
Special teams (3)
Nick Folk, Ryan Quigley, Tanner Purdum
Analysis: Quigley got a little challenge from Jacob Schum, but it’s his job at punter.