The NY Jets boast one of the deepest rosters the organization has ever had, and that extends through the 53-man roster to their practice squad. There is talent all over this Jets roster.
From their star-studded defense to their revamped offense to their excellent depth, the Jets have one of the most talented collections of players in the NFL. That depth is crucial given the frequency of injuries in today’s NFL, as the Jets have seen firsthand.
Eight of the 16 players signed to the Jets’ initial practice squad in 2023 ended up seeing regular-season action, and it’s likely we’ll see a similar result this year. Here are five Jets practice squad players you can expect to see on the field in 2024.
1. Sam Eguavoen, LB, NY Jets
Sam Eguavoen didn’t make the Jets’ initial 53-man roster in 2023 as the team opted to keep the likes of Chazz Surratt and Zaire Barnes instead. History repeated itself this summer, with the Jets carrying the same five linebackers on their roster that they did a year ago.
That shouldn’t be an issue for Eguavoen, however. Despite not making the team out of training camp, Eguavoen went on to appear in 15 games for the Jets last year, playing 70 percent of the team’s special-teams snaps.
Unless the Jets believe Barnes can assume Eguavoen’s role as Brant Boyer’s special-teams ace, it’s very likely we’ll see the veteran linebacker on the gridiron before long. He’s an early favorite to be elevated from the practice squad for Week 1.
2. Jason Brownlee, WR, NY Jets
Jason Brownlee initially made the Jets’ 53-man roster before he was the unfortunate individual chosen to be waived to make room for waiver claim Brenden Bates. He luckily cleared waivers and ended up back on the Jets’ practice squad.
If the Jets were able to keep a 54-man roster, it’s likely that Brownlee would have a spot. The Jets are still very high on the former undrafted free agent’s potential, and it shouldn’t be long before we see him on the active roster.
Brownlee could be elevated as soon as Week 1 if the Jets are looking for an extra wide receiver on game day. If not, his time should be coming soon. You will see Brownlee this year.
3. Jake Hanson, OL, NY Jets
Jake Hanson felt like a safe bet to make the 53-man roster before an untimely injury cost him much of the summer. He was beaten out by Xavier Newman for the final backup interior offensive line spot, but the Jets re-signed him to their practice squad shortly following roster cuts.
Hanson is the Jets’ top reserve offensive lineman on the practice squad and performed quite well when given the opportunity last season. The former Green Bay Packers lineman started four games over the final month of the season and held his own.
The Jets are certainly hopeful that their offensive line will receive a bit more injury fortune than a year ago, but it feels safe to say that we’ll see Hanson on the active roster at some point. Injuries are inevitable.
4. Jaylen Key, S, NY Jets
Jaylen Key is the only member of the Jets’ 2024 draft class not to make the 53-man roster, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Key was selected with the final pick in this year’s draft and was seen as a longshot to make the active roster.
Still, that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to see him this year. The Jets re-signed Key to their practice squad, and he figures to be the first safety promoted to the active roster in the case of an injury.
Key will continue his development on the practice squad for the time being, but one injury to any of the Jets’ safeties and we could see him on the field.
5. Brandon Smith, WR, NY Jets
If the Jets’ 53-man roster was solely based on merit, Brandon Smith would likely have a place. The former UFL standout was one of the Jets’ most impressive players of the summer, catching all five of his targets in the preseason.
Smith was the only player in the NFL this summer to haul in 100 percent of their contested catch opportunities (min. 4 targets). That helped him earn a spot on the practice squad despite only joining the team last month.
The Jets’ wide receiver room is hardly the team’s strongest unit, and with a little more time, Smith might be able to find his way onto the active roster before long. One or two injuries are all it would take.