With the New York Jets first preseason game 10 days away, I thought it’d be a great time to predict exactly what the 53 man roster will look like once the smoke settles. Please feel free to leave your responses in the comments, as they are always appreciated…

Quarterbacks

1. Geno Smith

2. Michael Vick

3. Tahj Boyd

Analysis

Geno Smith, barring a Mark Sanchez-like implosion, will be the starting quarterback of this football team for Week 1. Vick has said all of the right things, and should be a great sounding board for Geno as well as a quality insurance policy. He’s easily the best backup QB the Jets have had under Rex. Boyd will beat out Matt Simms for the third/emergency QB spot.

1. Chris Ivory2. Chris Johnson3. Bilal Powell4. Daryl RichardsonI think the Jets elect to carry four running backs. Ivory will start, with Johnson providing the change of pace, and Powell being the Swiss Army Knife that can do it all. I think that this will be a run heavy offense and, with concerns about Johnson and Ivory’s health, carrying Richardson is something of a need right now.

Fullbacks

1. Tommy Bohanon

Analysis:

Chad Young is one of my favorite guys trying to make the team right now, but I think Bohanon will provide continuity on the offense and Idzik does not appear to want to cut his draft picks. Plus, Young may be better suited for the practice squad for a year.

Wide Receivers

1. Eric Decker

2. Stephen Hill

3. Jeremy Kerley

4. David Nelson

5. Jalen Saunders

Analysis

The surprise for some may be Stephen Hill sticking on the final 53. I wouldn’t be shocked if he starts opposite Eric Decker. By all accounts, Hill has had a very good camp thus far (we’ve heard this before, I know) and he will get every opportunity to seize the other starting WR position. Nelson is a 100% lock, in my opinion. Saunders beats out Ford for both the punt returner’ job and the final WR slot. Shaq Evans and Quincy Enunwa go to the practice squad or the IR with “injuries.”

Tight Ends

1. Jace Amaro

2. Jeff Cumberland

3. Zach Sudfeld

Analysis

As deep a group as the Jets have had in many years at TE. Each are versatile enough to line up all over the formation and create matchup problems for linebackers. Amaro and Cumberland should see the field enough for one to have typical “number two WR” numbers. Sudfeld gives the Jets insurance for both, and a big red zone target.

1. Nick Mangold2. D’Brickashaw Ferguson3. Willie Colon4. Breno Giacomini5. Brian Winters6. Oday Aboushi7. Dakota Dozier8. Dalton Freeman9. William CampbellWillie Colon’s injury has allowed for Oday Aboushi and Brian Winters to rotate at both guard positions. This kind of versatility will definitely help in the future. Dozier is my favorite OL prospect out of this group and I think he eventually replaces Colon at RG. Freeman was arguably the best rookie lineman for the Jets last summer, so no surprise that he makes it here as Mangold’s primary backup.

Defensive Line

1. Muhammad Wilkerson

2. Damon Harrison

3. Sheldon Richardson

4. Legar Douzable

5. Jason Babin

6. Kenrick Ellis

Analysis

The Jets are deep on the defensive line and as you’ll see shortly, in the front 7. Douzable played very well last year, Harrison is entering a contract year, and Richardson seems hungry to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. Adding Babin gives this group a pure pass rusher, something it didn’t have last year.

Linebackers

1. Quinten Coples

2. Demario Davis

3. David Harris

4. Calvin Pace

5. Jeremiah George

6. Trevor Reilly

7. Garrett McIntyre

*.Antwan Barnes

Analysis:

Reilly makes the team and, when McIntyre is eventually cut to make room for Barnes, takes McIntyre’s spot. George sticks because of his ability to back up Harris and Davis. Barnes begins the season on the PUP list, but is listed here because he will be on the final 53. Coples, Reilly, and Barnes give the Jets three potential edge rushers.

Defensive Backs

1. Dee Milliner

2. Dmitri Patterson

3. Dexter McDougle

4. Kyle Wilson

5. Darrin Walls

6. Ellis Lankster

7. Jeremy Reeves

8. Calvin Pryor

9. Antonio Allen

10. Dawan Landry

11. Rontez Miles

12. Jaiquawn Jarrett

Analysis:

Patterson will eventually shift to the slot cornerback position when McDougle is ready to start on the outside. Walls provides good depth, and Lankster is a special teams ace. Wilson will excel in the dime cornerback role, as well as a safety in sub packages. I think the Jets keep both Miles and Jarrett, as Rex has been talking up Rontez and Jarrett is a favorite for his versatility.

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Author: Dalbin Osorio Dalbin Osorio is a Case Planner for Graham-Windham, New York's oldest child welfare agency. He is, also, a student at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Dalbin graduated from Monroe College with a degree in Business Administration. A 3 sport utility man in high school (think a mix of Jerome WIlliams, Brad Smith, and Jayson Nix), he joined TOJ in 2013. View all posts by Dalbin Osorio

Kicker: Nick FolkPunter: Jacob SchumLong Snapper: Tanner PurdumFolk isn’t going anywhere. I think Quigley’s days are numbered, as Schum has a potentially stronger leg.