NY Jets 2020 Practice Squad Tracker: Who's in and who's out?
By Justin Fried
NY Jets (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
The NY Jets' practice squad is beginning to take shape as we track the players being added.
The NY Jets' 53-man roster has been set, at least initially. Roster cutdown day has come and past and the Jets have their first iteration of what will be many 53-man rosters throughout the year.
There were some difficult cuts that were made, as there is every year. Some fan-favorite young players were shown the door while other surprise additions to the roster were kept around.
The good news about this year is that many of the players who were initially part of roster cuts will likely be brought back when all is said and done.
The new 2020 rules allow for 16 players to be a part of the practice squad with a whole new set of rules to go along with it. Six of those 16 players can have any number of years of experience meaning that you likely won't just see first and second-year players this time around.
Moreover, players are permitted to be "promoted" to the active roster on game day twice throughout the entire season without being subject to waivers. And on that same note, teams can do this with two players each week effectively allowing for a 55-player gameday roster.
Simply put, there's a lot more flexibility with the practice squad in 2020 than in any year prior. For that reason, being on the practice squad is nearly the same thing as being on the active roster — only the pay is significantly less.
With that being said, who will be a part of the Jets' initial 16-man practice squad?
We will be tracking the practice squad additions throughout the day so make sure to check back every so often to stay up to date.
Confirmed members of the NY Jets' practice squad
1. CB Lamar Jackson
Jackson is an ideal developmental project to be stashed on the practice squad for now. His impressive physicality gives him great upside in Gregg Williams' defense making this a no-brainer.
2. CB Zane Lewis
The Jets claimed Lewis off waivers earlier in the week meaning that this was always the likely outcome. The undrafted rookie out of Air Force also has good size at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds.
3. QB David Fales
Fales is a prime candidate to be promoted to the active roster come Week 1 with Joe Flacco still sidelined. There's a good chance he serves as the team's de facto No. 2 quarterback until Flacco returns.
4. QB Mike White
The Jets bring back White after an impressive showing in training camp. There's a chance the team goes with White over Fales, but given the latter's experience with Gase, he's probably the safe bet.
5. RB Josh Adams
The Jets only have three running backs on the roster, and with La'Mical Perine banged up, it makes sense to bring back Adams. The former Notre Dame star has NFL experience and is valuable depth in case someone goes down with an injury.
6. OL Jimmy Murray
Murray spent some time on the practice squad last year and will provide adequate interior offensive line depth. Look for the Jets to re-sign Josh Andrews once they make some IR moves as they don't currently have a backup center.
7. WR Josh Malone
Malone had the opportunity to work with the first-team offense throughout a lot of camp and he'll continue to serve as wide receiver depth now on the practice squad.
8. WR Lawrence Cager
The fan-favorite wideout from Georgia is, as expected, staying with the Jets. Cager will continue to hone his skills on the practice squad and could see time on the active roster if an injury occurs.
9. WR Donte Moncrief
Moncrief was a late addition to training camp, but makes the practice squad anyway. The new rules allow a veteran like Moncrief to remain on the practice squad so the Jets retain some quality, experienced depth.
10. WR D.J. Montgomery
Much like Zane Lewis, Montgomery was claimed off waivers last week. The Jets will carry four wide receivers on their practice squad making up a quarter of the 16-man unit.
11. TE Bronson Kaufusi
Kaufusi made the switch over to tight end in the summer and the Jets will continue to develop the former defensive lineman on the practice squad.
12. TE Ross Travis
Travis is a former college basketball star who's still developing despite a few years of NFL experience under his belt. His athleticism is intriguing if someone like Chris Herndon goes down.
13. OL Corbin Kaufusi
The Kaufusi brothers stay together as both former defensive linemen will continue to learn their new positions on the practice squad.
14. CB Javelin Guidry
Guidry's 4.29 speed definitely intrigued the Jets and he worked as the second-team slot cornerback for a lot of camp. Expect him to be promoted if something happens to Brian Poole.
15. S Bennett Jackson
The Jets only have three safeties on the active roster so Jackson being on the practice squad is a bit of a surprise. Expect the veteran former cornerback to be the first player promoted if a safety is injured.