The New York Jets trimmed 36 players from their roster on Friday and Saturday, cutting to the NFL-mandated 53. Here’s a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: On a day in which they failed to land star pass-rusher Khalil Mack, the Jets cut two former draft picks who play Mack's position -- outside linebackers Lorenzo Mauldin (third round, 2015) and Dylan Donahue (fifth, 2017). This confirms what we've known all along: They have a serious talent deficiency on the edge. The Jets made a "strong" offer for Mack, one league source told ESPN, but they wisely didn't want to mortgage their future. When he was hired in 2015, general manager Mike Maccagnan said he wanted to create a "pipeline" for 3-4 OLBs, but that hasn't materialized. Their roster includes only three, none of whom is considered a dynamic edge rusher -- Jordan Jenkins, Josh Martin and Brandon Copeland. We already know the No. 1 need in next year's draft.
Mac the knife: Tough day for Maccagnan, who cut five picks from his 2015 and '17 drafts. In addition to Mauldin and Donahue, he released wide receiver Chad Hansen (fourth round, 2017), cornerback Jeremy Clark (sixth, 2017) and nose tackle Deon Simon (seventh, 2015). Hansen impressed in the spring, but his lack of separation ability was glaring once the pads came on. Donahue almost got cut in March after his second DUI arrest, which almost certainly will result in a league suspension. He's not good enough for a team to tolerate his off-the-field issues. These cuts shine a light on Maccagnan's spotty drafting record.
Big numbers: Prior to cut-down day, coach Todd Bowles said the toughest decisions would be at tight end, wide receiver and cornerback. Sure enough, that sentiment was reflected in the numbers, as the Jets went heavy at those positions -- four tight ends, six receivers and seven cornerbacks. It will get jammed at receiver when ArDarius Stewart returns from his two-game suspension.
Just for kicks: The Jets settled the kicking competition. As expected, Jason Myers (58-yard field goal) got the nod over Taylor Bertolet. A couple of interesting kickers shook free from other rosters (Dan Bailey), so this bears watching.
Jets moves:
Waived: RB George Atkinson, OL Alex Balducci, K Taylor Bertolet, S Brandon Bryant, CB Jeremy Clark, CB Xavier Coleman, DL Xavier Cooper, LB Dylan Donahue, FB Dimitri Flowers, LB Obum Gwacham, WR Chad Hansen, T Darius James, T Antonio Garcia, LB Frankie Luvu, LB Lorenzo Mauldin, WR Tre McBride, RB Thomas Rawls, S Kacy Rodgers II, G Dakoda Shepley, NT Deon Simon, CB Terrell Sinkfield, DL Mych Thomas, TE Clive Walford, LB Anthony Wint, QB John Wolford,
Released: LB David Bass, OL Gino Gradkowski, WR Charles Johnson, LB Kevin Minter, DL Kendall Reyes, C Travis Swanson, RB Charcandrick West
PUP: S Rontez Miles.
Reserve/suspended: CB Rashard Robinson, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, WR ArDarius Stewart.