FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets open the 2023 NFL regular season against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11 at MetLife Stadium.
With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and eight starters returning on defense, the Jets are thinking (and talking) championship. They will formulate a roster with that in mind -- a win-now mentality that could impact certain decisions.
The toughest cuts will be on offense, specifically at running back. The recent addition of Dalvin Cook gives them five roster-worthy backs, and that's not counting fullback Nick Bawden, who is challenging for a spot. Who will be the odd man out? They also could be in the market for a wide receiver after the abrupt departure of Corey Davis.
Here is the final projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle
Rodgers spent 18 seasons at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay. Now he has another type of Lombardi on his mind. Wilson will serve as his caddie, hoping to resurrect his career in the shadows. Boyle is a tough call. To be eligible as the third/emergency quarterback on game day, per a new rule, he must be on the 53-man roster, not the practice squad. Coach Robert Saleh said he would "love to have him around. We'll see how it all shakes out, though."
RUNNING BACK (4): Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Michael Carter, Israel Abanikanda
Cook and Hall had no preseason action and limited practice time, but they're expected to be the 1-2 punch in Week 1. Carter is the only healthy back who had a full training camp. Abanikanda (thigh bruise) isn't going anywhere because he was a fifth-round pick. That puts Zonovan Knight, who struggled with ball security in the preseason, in jeopardy. He'd be a practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.
FULLBACK (1): Nick Bawden
Fullbacks are a dying breed, but offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett likes to utilize one in his offense.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Davis, Mecole Hardman Jr., Randall Cobb, Xavier Gipson
Their depth took a hit with the loss of Davis. The top four are locked in, but that fifth spot is important because offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett likes to use five receivers on game day. That spot is wide open, but we'll give an edge to Gipson, an undrafted free agent with serious speed and the ability to help on special teams. Malik Taylor, Irv Charles and Jason Brownlee (undrafted) also are in the mix. The Davante Adams and Mike Evans rumors are rampant, but neither of those scenarios seem realistic. Check back at the trade deadline.
TIGHT END (4): Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert, Zack Kuntz
A solid position. Rodgers has a good rapport with Conklin and Uzomah, based on training camp practices, and Ruckert seems ready to take a step after a nondescript rookie year. This will be a redshirt year for Kuntz, a developmental player. He was a seventh-round pick, and general manager Joe Douglas hates to cut draft picks. Kenny Yeboah (hamstring) could stick on the practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Mekhi Becton, Wes Schweitzer, Billy Turner, Max Mitchell, Joe Tippmann
Finally, they appear to have a starting five -- four returning starters and Becton, who has the inside track on the right tackle job after a strong preseason. The key is keeping Brown and Becton healthy; they're both coming off surgery. Turner and Mitchell are backup swing tackles, with Schweitzer and Tippmann (second-round pick) providing interior depth. Carter Warren, a fourth-rounder, could get stashed on injured reserve.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Carl Lawson, Al Woods, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV, Bryce Huff, Quinton Jefferson, Micheal Clemons, Solomon Thomas
Is there a deeper defensive line in the league? They won't hesitate to dress nine on game day, perhaps 10 in certain cases. Williams, a first-team All-Pro, is the straw that stirs the drink, but he's surrounded by a lot of talent, especially on the edge. Look for Johnson to have a bigger role than last year, stealing snaps from Lawson and Franklin-Myers. Lawson's back injury is a concern. Could he be headed to IR?
LINEBACKER (4): C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Zaire Barnes
Sherwood claimed Kwon Alexander's old spot, making him one of only three new starters on defense. Mosley and Williams are entrenched as the LB1 and LB2, respectively. This is the thinnest position group on the team, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they try to add a veteran from the waiver wire. Anybody who watched the first episode of "Hard Knocks" knows that Saleh loves Chazz Surratt, so he's a possibility.
CORNERBACK (4): Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Jimmy Moreland
Brandin Echols, the CB4, is suspended for the first game for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. For the last spot, Moreland edges Bryce Hall, a former draft pick who hasn't panned out and doesn't play special teams. Moreland outplayed him this summer. Otherwise, this group is loaded, with Gardner and Reed ranking among the best tandems. Gardner, a first-team All Pro and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, added muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame as he looks to build on his historic 2022 season.
SAFETY (5): Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Adrian Amos, Trey Dean
Many assumed Amos, an eight-year starter with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, would start alongside Whitehead. But not so fast. Adams, who played only 117 defensive snaps as a rookie, is in line for the job because of his excellent range. Jarrick Bernard-Converse (foot), a sixth-round pick, is likely to begin the year on the physically unable to perform list. Dean, an undrafted rookie, earned a spot with a terrific preseason.
SPECIALISTS (4): Greg Zuerlein (PK), Thomas Morstead (P), Thomas Hennessy (LS), Justin Hardee (ST)
Talk about rock solid. The special teams unit is anchored by four seasoned pros, with Morstead providing a significant upgrade over the departed Braden Mann. Hardee, coming off his first Pro Bowl season, is the heart and soul of the unit. Zeurlein, 35, showed in the preseason that he hasn't lost anything.