Predicting New York Jets' First Wave of Roster Cuts
The New York Jets have opened training camp, which means the countdown to the final 53-man roster is already on.
With 90 players currently on the roster, it may seem like a daunting task to make it to 53 players by the beginning of the regular season—that's because it is a daunting task.
Not only must the Jets keep the best players on their roster, but they must also make considerations at particular positions where they will need to keep more depth for a short while due to the need for players to fill in reps. Head coach Todd Bowles can't just send his five worst defensive linemen packing and then ask five other linemen to play every rep in practice and in the preseason.
So here's a look at five players whose positions are overstocked and who may not have an opportunity to crack the final 53.
QB Jake Heaps
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Caution: Do not read if your eyes cannot handle the temperature of smoldering hot takes.
The Jets have enough depth at the quarterback position. Between Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty, there's no way everyone is going to get the reps they need to get ready for the regular season. Add in undrafted rookie Jake Heaps, and suddenly, the quarterback room is overcrowded.
The Jets already lopped one name off the list when they sent Matt Simms packing. Heaps was a highly rated quarterback coming out of high school, but he never settled in when he got to college; he had stints at BYU (two years), Kansas and Miami (one year each). He played in only three games for the Hurricanes in 2014, with only six completions on 12 pass attempts to his name.
Heaps signed with the Jets on May 11, around a time when there was still concern over when and whether Fitzpatrick's leg would be fully healed. The "Amish Rifle" was ready to go by the time organized team activities rolled around, and has been fully participating at training camp. At this point, Heaps may not be long for the roster.
LB Joe Mays
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There are several linebackers on the Jets roster who are in no-man's land. Ikemefuna Enemkpali, Joe Mays and Erin Henderson are all in a position where they either have to make the 53-man roster or they will be searching for a new job in the fall.
Mays is playing for his fourth different team in the past four seasons. The 5'11", 244-pound linebacker has been a starter in each of his previous stops, beating the odds despite his lack of size. This year, however, his chances of starting are decidedly smaller. The Jets already have their two starting inside linebackers in David Harris and Demario Davis, and the only way anyone is getting ahead of either of those two is due to injury.
Mays has played some special teams, which will help his overall value to the team (the fourth and fifth linebackers aren't likely to spend a lot of time playing defense). That being said, with younger options in the mix, the Jets could be looking to hang onto guys like Taiwan Jones and Trevor Reilly to explore the possibility of more long-term upside.
DE Ronald Talley
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Ronald Talley's experience under Jets head coach Todd Bowles is undoubtedly one of the bigger reasons why he was signed by Gang Green. But just because he has played under the team's new head coach in the past does not mean he will make it to the regular-season roster in 2015.
The 6'3", 282-pounder is not the ideal build of a 3-4 defensive lineman, but apparently, his build is not a concern for Bowles. Talley participated on 75 defensive snaps for the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, Bowles' first season as their defensive coordinator and Talley's last season with the Cardinals.
Making matters more difficult for Talley is the Jets' overwhelming depth on the defensive line. A spot could open up if Sheldon Richardson can't stay out of trouble, as he's been in the news a lot lately. That being said, Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and Leonard Williams are all locked into the roster, and Stephen Bowen, T.J. Barnes, Davon Walls, Deon Simon and Jordan Williams are all competing for jobs.
There just aren't enough spots to go around.
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TE Steve Maneri
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Steve Maneri has had seven total stints with six different teams since entering the NFL in 2010. He started off at offensive tackle, but moved to tight end with the Miami Dolphins when it was clear his old position wasn't going to work out for him.
He hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself at either spot.
The Jets signed Maneri after placing Zach Sudfeld on injured reserve. The problem is the two tight ends couldn't be more dissimilar. Sudfeld is a pass-catching tight end with minimal blocking ability; Maneri's roots are as a blocker, and he has little to offer as a receiver.
Jace Amaro and Jeff Cumberland will be the Jets' top two tight ends this year. Kellen Davis has the best chance of making the roster as a backup. Maneri might be better off if the Jets try him out as a tackle, where they have less depth.
WR Walter Powell
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The battle at wide receiver is much deeper in 2015 than it's been for the Jets in any year in recent memory.
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and Devin Smith account for a guaranteed four spots on the roster. DeVier Posey, Chris Owusu, Walter Powell and T.J. Graham are all battling it out for one or two more spotso n the roster.
Powell has not taken advantage of his opportunities in camp so far. He was a victim of a forced fumble by safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, according to Colin Stephenson of NewsDay, and he was the only punt returner who muffed a punt last Friday according to Connor Hughes of JetsInsider.com.
Unless Powell's play turns around quickly, the Jets could be looking to move on from him so that other players get an opportunity to pick up snaps in practice.
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