Let's think about the opening day roster on defense......

[Sarge4Tide]

Assuming the Jets will start the season with 25 players on offense and defense (which may not be the correct assumption)

There are a whopping 20 Jets defensive players who are virtual locks to be on the opening day roster

Defensive Line

1. Quinnen Williams (DT)
2. Al Woods (DT)
3. Quinton Jefferson (DT)
4. John Franklin-Myers (DT/DE)
5. Michael Clemons (DE/DT)
6. Carl Lawson (DE)
7. Will McDonald IV (DE)
8. Jermaine Johnson (DE)
9. Bryce Huff (DE)

Linebacker

1. C.J. Mosley
2. Quincy Williams
3. Zaire Barnes

Cornerback

1. Sauce Gardner
2. D.J. Reed
3. Michael Carter II
4. Brandin Echols
5. Justin Hardee

Safety

1. Chuck Clark
2. Jordan Whitehead
3. Jarrick Bernard-Converse

That leaves only 5 spots open....probably 1 defensive lineman, 2 linebackers, and 2 defensive backs

Defensive Line:  Solomon Thomas is a veteran who can play multiple positions, Isaiah Mack is a journeyman with some NFL starts, Tanzel Smart is undersized but has looked promising in his limited playing time.  UDFA Deslin Alexandre could be a sleeper to jump up and get a spot

Linebacker:  Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen are entering their 3rd years.  Neither has done much.  Sherwood might have a bit more upside.  3 UDFAs might be in the mix - Caleb Johnson, Claudin Cherelus, Maalik Hall.  Of course, we'd all love to get Kwon Alexander back

Defensive Back:  Bryce Hall is the obvious choice at CB, but he did nothing last year.  Can Javelin Guidry win a spot?  At Safety, returning vets Tony Adams and Will Parks are solid. Adams might have more potential.  A pair of promising UDFAs will be given every chance to make the team  -  Trey Dean from Florida and Marquis Waters from Texas Tech.  Do the Jets see Waters as a LB longterm?

 

EDIT:  Forgot about Ashtyn Davis SORRY

[Jetsfan80]

@pointman noticing no mention of Ashtyn Davis:

 

[pointman]

27 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

@pointman noticing no mention of Ashtyn Davis:

 

The excitement I feel is... immense. I shall hold until we get official word.

 

 

[Skeptable]

I wonder if they view JCB as a potential Hybrid S/LB. Tyrann Mathieu type. He is not a good CB and he is not a great Safety, but he is good in Red zone Defense and covers TEs well. He has the size and speed, maybe he gains some weight and learns to tackle.  Just an interesting prospect that seems like a tough fit in the defense that prioritizes speed over all else.  

[Skeptable]

58 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Assuming the Jets will start the season with 25 players on offense and defense (which may not be the correct assumption)

There are a whopping 20 Jets defensive players who are virtual locks to be on the opening day roster

Defensive Line

1. Quinnen Williams (DT)
2. Al Woods (DT)
3. Quinton Jefferson (DT)
4. John Franklin-Myers (DT/DE)
5. Michael Clemons (DE/DT)
6. Carl Lawson (DE)
7. Will McDonald IV (DE)
8. Jermaine Johnson (DE)
9. Bryce Huff (DE)

Linebacker

1. C.J. Mosley
2. Quincy Williams
3. Zaire Barnes

Cornerback

1. Sauce Gardner
2. D.J. Reed
3. Michael Carter II
4. Brandin Echols
5. Justin Hardee

Safety

1. Chuck Clark
2. Jordan Whitehead
3. Jarrick Bernard-Converse

That leaves only 5 spots open....probably 1 defensive lineman, 2 linebackers, and 2 defensive backs

Defensive Line:  Solomon Thomas is a veteran who can play multiple positions, Isaiah Mack is a journeyman with some NFL starts, Tanzel Smart is undersized but has looked promising in his limited playing time.  UDFA Deslin Alexandre could be a sleeper to jump up and get a spot

Linebacker:  Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen are entering their 3rd years.  Neither has done much.  Sherwood might have a bit more upside.  3 UDFAs might be in the mix - Caleb Johnson, Claudin Cherelus, Maalik Hall.  Of course, we'd all love to get Kwon Alexander back

Defensive Back:  Bryce Hall is the obvious choice at CB, but he did nothing last year.  Can Javelin Guidry win a spot?  At Safety, returning vets Tony Adams and Will Parks are solid. Adams might have more potential.  A pair of promising UDFAs will be given every chance to make the team  -  Trey Dean from Florida and Marquis Waters from Texas Tech.  Do the Jets see Waters as a LB longterm?

They specifically resigned Thomas... I don't see him not making the team

Sherwood played well when not injured... He is in for sure.

Nas is interesting, I think he is 50/50 to make the team over one of the UDFA

Tony Adams is a near lock to make the team

I think Guidry could beat out Parks for the last spot.

[jamesr]

Not sure 2 sixth round picks should be described as "locks" ... decent chance, sure, but it wouldn't be surprising if either ended up on the PS at first. This is a deeper team than before, there will be some tough decisions to make. Roster spots will need to be earned.

[Larz]

Sherwood is the backup Mike and I think they are giving Nas a chance to win the Will job. Barnes is a special team guy. 

[LAD_Brooklyn]

DT: Quinnen Williams, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas (4)

DE: Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV, Bryce Huff, Michael Clemons (6)

LB: C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Zaire Barnes (5)

CB: Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Brandin Echol, Justin Hardee (5)

S: Chuck Clark, Jordan Whitehead, Tony Adam, Ashtyn Davis, Bryce Hall (5)

Bernard-Converse, Guidry, Dean makes the PS. 

[Beerfish]

Safety is weak, Linebackers are weak as well and thin.  One of the udfa lbs will make it.

[jetstream23]

Quote

That leaves only 5 spots open....probably 1 defensive lineman, 2 linebackers, and 2 defensive backs

Solomon Thomas, Jamien Sherwood, Kwon Alexander, Bryce Hall and Tony Adams.

 

[Jethead]

On 5/23/2023 at 1:58 PM, Skeptable said:

They specifically resigned Thomas... I don't see him not making the team

Sherwood played well when not injured... He is in for sure.

Nas is interesting, I think he is 50/50 to make the team over one of the UDFA

Tony Adams is a near lock to make the team

I think Guidry could beat out Parks for the last spot.

Agree with above. If either Barnes or JBC play well enough to make the 53, the Jets defense is going to be amazing. 

[Bungaman]

[GreenFish]

My guess would be

1) Kwon Alexander LB (I think he will be back)

2) Jamien Sherwood LB (upside)

3) Hamsah LB (provides special team value)

4) Bryce Hall CB (quality depth)

5) Tony Adams S (upside)

I dont think Thomas makes the cut.  But he’d be the guy if we dont bring back Kwon.

Hansah switched positions and is almost the same age as Barnes. I wouldn't give up on him so quickly. Sherwood might be younger than all our rookies and all switched positions coming into the league.

[hmhertz]

Jamien Sherwood Glacier Slow-

 

[PepPep]

On 5/23/2023 at 12:56 PM, Sarge4Tide said:

Assuming the Jets will start the season with 25 players on offense and defense (which may not be the correct assumption)

There are a whopping 20 Jets defensive players who are virtual locks to be on the opening day roster

Defensive Line

1. Quinnen Williams (DT)
2. Al Woods (DT)
3. Quinton Jefferson (DT)
4. John Franklin-Myers (DT/DE)
5. Michael Clemons (DE/DT)
6. Carl Lawson (DE)
7. Will McDonald IV (DE)
8. Jermaine Johnson (DE)
9. Bryce Huff (DE)

Linebacker

1. C.J. Mosley
2. Quincy Williams
3. Zaire Barnes

Cornerback

1. Sauce Gardner
2. D.J. Reed
3. Michael Carter II
4. Brandin Echols
5. Justin Hardee

Safety

1. Chuck Clark
2. Jordan Whitehead
3. Jarrick Bernard-Converse

That leaves only 5 spots open....probably 1 defensive lineman, 2 linebackers, and 2 defensive backs

Defensive Line:  Solomon Thomas is a veteran who can play multiple positions, Isaiah Mack is a journeyman with some NFL starts, Tanzel Smart is undersized but has looked promising in his limited playing time.  UDFA Deslin Alexandre could be a sleeper to jump up and get a spot

Linebacker:  Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen are entering their 3rd years.  Neither has done much.  Sherwood might have a bit more upside.  3 UDFAs might be in the mix - Caleb Johnson, Claudin Cherelus, Maalik Hall.  Of course, we'd all love to get Kwon Alexander back

Defensive Back:  Bryce Hall is the obvious choice at CB, but he did nothing last year.  Can Javelin Guidry win a spot?  At Safety, returning vets Tony Adams and Will Parks are solid. Adams might have more potential.  A pair of promising UDFAs will be given every chance to make the team  -  Trey Dean from Florida and Marquis Waters from Texas Tech.  Do the Jets see Waters as a LB longterm?

 

EDIT:  Forgot about Ashtyn Davis SORRY

I think Ash Davis gets cut and one of Tony Adams or Parks takes his spot. And I think Guidry gets the backup slot CB spot. Hall has been lost at CB and nothing has come of fan talk suggesting he will transition to S. I see him being cut or traded for a 6th rounder. 

Solomon Thomas seems like a shoe-in, assuming the extra guy is, indeed a DT. But maybe they decide to carry more on offense?? We seem stacked on the D-line. 

Sherwood will definitely make the team. JMHO. I think he showed a lot with the few opportunities he had last year backing up Mosley. He's got some experience now at ILB, the Jets won't just cut him with the current inexperienced players they have on the roster.

Then, between Nas and one of the UDFA LBs my bet is on one of the UDFAs. Nas has really looked lost in his transition from S to LB. I personally still think he is a Safety and should stick there. If he is a PS candidate he may end up there.   

[PepPep]

18 hours ago, hmhertz said:

Jamien Sherwood Glacier Slow-

 

Elite size.