NFL rosters have begun taking shape now that the 2024 draft is in the rearview mirror.
The Jets’ roster is in much better shape than a year ago when they first acquired Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Packers.
Welcome to the latest edition of our Daily News Jets Mailbag, where we dive into the most pressing X/Twitter questions as we gear up for OTAs and mandatory minicamps in the upcoming weeks.
Some of us were excited about Izzy’s [Abanikanda] potential at RB2, but the draft shows that the organization probably doesn’t have the same view. Is there even a spot on the roster for him anymore? @MrBill11
The Jets surprised many by drafting both Braelon Allen (Wisconsin) and Isaiah Davis (South Dakota State). While many believe that will spell the end of Abanikanda with Gang Green, that might not be the case.
I believe the Jets are still high on Abanikanda. Fans must remember that he is still 21 years old and only registered 77 offensive snaps, 70 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards during his rookie campaign.
But he needs to improve his pass protection, an area many young running backs struggle with when entering the league.
There’s a world where the Jets keep four running backs on the roster. Last year, the Jets kept four running backs on the roster if you include fullback Nick Bawden. However, Abanikanda will have to fight for touches and his place in the running back pecking order during training camp.
How concerned are you about the “play caller”? Seems we are relying on Hackett to do what he hasn’t done well or give to Rodgers which is a failure of coaching competence. @FixTheNation
That is my biggest concern with the Jets. The roster is impressive and Gang Green has improved the offensive line and added receiver depth.
Last season, it appeared offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett didn’t understand the strengths of his personnel. That was very concerning because Breece Hall should have been more of a factor in the passing game earlier in the season.
Having Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian and Tim Boyle under center significantly handcuffed the offense. However, the lack of in-game adjustments was troublesome.
Getting Rodgers back from his Achilles tear should help a lot. Whatever Hackett calls in the huddle, Rodgers will make the necessary adjustments at the line of scrimmage and get the ball to his playmakers accordingly.
Do you think they’ll add a veteran WR to the team? If so, who can you see them signing? @_Jet_Mike
I don’t think so unless they want to release Xavier Gipson or Jason Brownlee. The Jets already have six receivers on their roster, and I’m not including Irvin Charles, who will primarily play on special teams.
We all know Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Malachi Corley and Allen Lazard will be on the team in 2024. Lazard is owed $10 million guaranteed after a disappointing season last year (23 catches, 311 yards and one touchdown).
Gipson and Brownlee are young, but the coaching staff is excited about their potential. Unless injuries occur, I believe the Jets are set at wideout.
What are the odds we get [David] Bakhtiari, [Connor] McGovern or [Marcus] Maye? @Stevied40785529
I believe the Jets still need depth on their offensive line. The front five looks good, and Jets general manager Joe Douglas’ selection of Olu Fashanu in the first round was brilliant. But this is the Jets, and we have seen the worst-case scenario on the offensive line the last two years.
I don’t know if the Jets will make any more significant moves, considering they only have $9.1 million of salary cap space. But bringing McGovern back would be a wise move.
McGovern knows the system and would be a good backup should something happen to Joe Tippmann. Also, if injuries occur on the line again, Tippmann could slide to guard, and McGovern could be the starting center again.
Potential surprise cut of camp? @Xavier_NYC
Tackle Max Mitchell or safety Jarrick Bernard-Converse are two names to consider.
After the Jets selected Mitchell in the 2022 NFL Draft, he started five games as a rookie and seven in 2023. But Mitchell could be the odd man out after the Jets selected Fashanu.
Mitchell will compete with Carter Warren for the second Jets backup tackle spot. I don’t think they would keep them both, and Mitchell has been inconsistent during his time in the league. If given the choice, I believe they would keep Warren and move on from Mitchell.
Bernard-Converse only played four snaps last season after he was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list after recovering from a foot injury. But if the Jets were to upgrade at safety, Bernard-Converse would likely be on the chopping block.
