FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets open the 2026 NFL regular season at the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 13 at Nissan Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the New York Giants and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
As a rebuilding team, the Jets could look to churn the bottom of the roster on the final cutdown. Darren Mougey is an aggressive general manager, having made 13 player trades in the last 12 months. They could use depth upgrades on the offensive line, linebacker and safety.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Jets:
Quarterbacks (2)
This is a transition year for the quarterback position. Smith, 35, coming off a down year with the Las Vegas Raiders, is a one-year stop gap. They probably will draft a quarterback in 2027. In the meantime, they're eager to see what they have in Klubnik, a fourth-round pick -- so eager that it was decided not to bring in legitimate competition for the No. 2 job. Will Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn regret not having an experienced backup?
Running backs (4)
Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu
This is the Jets' deepest position. They expect big things out of Hall, whom they re-signed for $43.5 million over three years this offseason. This is a pivotal year for Allen, who tantalizes with his size and speed but hasn't put it all together yet. Fullback Andrew Beck could be the odd-man out.
Wide receivers (6)
Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams, Omar Cooper Jr., Arian Smith, Tim Patrick
Wilson is the only proven commodity. Mitchell, Williams and Cooper are intriguing players at different stages of development. The key is Mitchell, who must validate the organization's belief in him. Cooper, a first-round pick in April, is battling Williams for the WR3 spot. Smith has drop issues but probably will stick because of special teams. Patrick, the OG, isn't a roster lock.
Tight ends (4)
Mason Taylor, Kenyon Sadiq, Jeremy Ruckert, Jelani Woods
This is a young, talented group that still hasn't reached its ceiling. It hinges on Taylor improving as a receiver and the rookie first-rounder in Sadiq ... well, staying healthy. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich is planning to use Sadiq as a Swiss Army knife. Woods is a bubble player.
Offensive linemen (9)
Olu Fashanu, Dylan Parham, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann, Armand Membou, Max Mitchell, Xavier Newman, Chukwuma Okorafor, Anez Cooper
The starting five is solid, especially the right side with Membou and Tippmann. The concern is depth, particularly the interior. The Jets were the only team to start the same five in every game last season. What are the odds of that happening again?
Defensive linemen (5)
Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, T'Vondre Sweat, Jowon Briggs, Darrell Jackson Jr.
Phillips, Onyemata and Sweat will be the starting three in the base 3-4 front. They're good run defenders, but where's the interior pass rush? The 366-pound Sweat can be special if he stays in shape and motivated. Former Dallas Cowboys first-round pick Mazi Smith, acquired in the Quinnen Williams trade, is injured and will be hard-pressed to make the roster.
Edge rushers (4)
David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, Will McDonald IV, Kingsley Enagbare
Next to Hall and Wilson, Bailey might be the most exciting player on the team. This year's No. 2 overall pick oozes pass-rushing talent but needs to get stronger versus the run. Ossai and Enagbare bring toughness to the group. McDonald, no longer an every-down player, will be used mainly on passing downs. Braiden McGregor is lurking.
Linebackers (5)
Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Mykal Walker
Davis, known for his vocal leadership, will raise the energy level of the defense. At 37, he's still an effective run stuffer, but his pass coverage bears watching -- an area where Sherwood has struggled. Depth is a big concern.
Cornerbacks (6)
Brandon Stephens, Azareye'h Thomas, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., D'Angelo Ponds, Nahshon Wright, Qwan'tez Stiggers
The anticipated battles at CB2 (Thomas versus Wright) and nickel back (Brownlee versus Ponds) haven't materialized because of injuries to Wright and the rookie Ponds, a second-round pick. Ponds figures to play his way into the mix once he's up to speed after a calf injury. Jordan Clark, having a sneaky good camp, is bidding for a spot.
Safeties (5)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, Malachi Moore, VJ Payne
It's Fitzpatrick and everybody else. Next to quarterback, this probably is the most suspect position on the team. Cisco is an incumbent, but it wouldn't surprise anyone if he loses his starting job to Belton. You will see some three-safety looks throughout the season. They're still waiting for Moore to make a leap.
Special teams (3)
Cade York (K), Austin McNamara (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS)
The York-Jason Sanders battle is too close to call, but it's clear that York has the stronger leg. McNamara, coming off a breakout year, has added new wrinkles to his punting repertoire.