The New York Jets‘ 53-man roster is far more talented than it was just a season ago. They’ve added a first-round receiver, a second-round running back, a competent guard in Laken Tomlinson, and tight end C.J. Uzokmah Uzomuh on the offensive side of the ball.

New York Jets 53-man roster projection

The Jets ride with an uneven split between their offense and defense, keeping more on the defensive side of the ball. Even while holding three quarterbacks, the Jets will keep only 24 on offense and 26 on defense.

Starters will be annotated with an asterisk.

New York Jets offense (24)

Quarterback:
Zach Wilson*
Joe Flacco
Mike White

Running back:
Michael Carter*
Breece Hall
Tevin Coleman

Fullback:
Nick Bowden

Wide receiver:
Elijah Moore*
Garrett Wilson*
Corey Davis*
Braxton Berrios
Jeff Smith

Tight end:
C.J. Uzomah*
Tyler Conklin
Jeremy Ruckert

Offensive tackle:
George Fant*
Duane Brown*
Connor McDermott
Max Mitchell

Offensive guard:
Laken Tomlinson*
Alijah Vera-Tucker*
Nate Herbig

Center:
Connor McGovern*
Dan Feeney

New York Jets defense (26)

Defensive end:
John Franklin-Myers*
Jermaine Johnson*
Carl Lawson
Jacob Martin
Micheal Clemons
Jabari Zuniga

Defensive tackle:
Quinnen Williams*
Sheldon Rankins*
Solomon Thomas
Nathan Shephard
Jonathan Marshall

Inside linebacker:
C.J. Mosley*
Quincy Williams*
Kwon Alexander
Hamsah Nasirildeen
Marcell Harris

Cornerback:
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner*
D.J. Reed*
Bryce Hall*
Michael Carter II
Brandin Echols
Javelin Guidry

Safety:
Jordan Whitehead*
Lamarcus Joyner*
Jason Pinnock
Ashtyn Davis

New York Jets specialists (3)

Greg Zuerlein (K)
Braden Mann (P)
Thomas Hennessy (LS)

PUP/IR

OT Mekhi Becton

While losing Mekhi Becton for the season is a tough blow, George Fant will move back to the right side of the line while Duane Brown inserts on the left, which might be a net positive in the short term for New York. It also gives the Jets a theoretical bargaining chip in contract extension negotiations with Fant.

After struggling mightily in the secondary a season ago, the Jets added Sauce Gardner with another first-round pick and signed D.J. Reed in free agency as well. In fact, they were the worst defense in the NFL by EPA-per-play standards.

While they’re more talented than a season ago, it won’t matter much if Zach Wilson can’t develop into a consistent passer at the NFL level.