The 2018 Jets Opening Day Depth Chart

The New York Jets have released their first official depth chart of 2018. A few things of note stick out to me.

Bilal Powell is second string behind Isaiah Crowell. This seemed inevitable given the team’s comments about not changing Powell’s role over the offseason, and the Jets will probably take a feed the hot hand approach, but it would be cool if for once the best back on the team was listed #1 on the depth chart.

As expected given the developments of the preseason Neal Sterling will be the Jets #1 receiving tight end. Eric Tomlinson is listed as first string but he is there mainly to block.

Jermaine Kearse is listed as a starter at wide receiver, ahead of Quincy Enunwa. I’m not sure if this is just a gesture of respect for the season Kearse had last year, or a sign of some uncertainty regarding Enunwa’s health, or if the order doesn’t much matter since the top three or four receivers may all be rotating depending on health, opponent and game situations. However, if Jermaine Kearse ends up getting more snaps than Quincy Enunwa when they are both healthy that would be a miscalculation on the Jets part. Enunwa is clearly the more talented and explosive receiver.

Derrick Jones is listed behind Juston Burris. This may just be a sign of respect for the veteran over the youngster, but if Burris gets more snaps than Jones that would be a mistake. I’m not sure Burris is even an NFL caliber cornerback. Jones hasn’t yet proved he is either, but I’d like to see him get the opportunity to prove he is this year if the alternative is Burris getting snaps.

It’s interesting the Jets list Trenton Cannon as second string at both returner positions. The Jets don’t usually list more than a first string returner. This may be reading too much into that, but it may indicate the plan is to ease Cannon into the role, and Andre Roberts is with the Jets only as long as it takes to get Cannon ready as the primary return man.

I’m not quite sure how much to make of the depth chart, as at times it appears the Jets’ coaching staff doesn’t take it very seriously, but for what it’s worth, here it is. What are your thoughts?

OFFENSE

QB

1. Sam Darnold 2. Josh McCown

RB

1. Isaiah Crowell 2. Bilal Powell 3. Trenton Cannon

FB

1. Lawrence Thomas

OT

1. Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell 2. Brent Qvale

OG

1. Brian Winters, James Carpenter 2. Dakota Dozier, Ben Braden

C

1. Spencer Long 2. Jonotthan Harrison

TE

1. Eric Tomlinson 2. Neal Sterling 3. Jordan Leggett 4. Chris Herndon

WR

1. Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse 2. Quincy Enunwa, Terrelle Pryor 3. Charone Peake, Andre Roberts

DEFENSE

DE

1. Leonard Williams, Nathan Shepherd 2. Henry Anderson, Folorunso Fatusaki

NT

1. Steve McLendon 2. Mike Pennel

OLB

1. Josh Martin, Jordan Jenkins 2. Jeremiah Attaochu, Brandon Copeland

ILB

1. Darron Lee, Avery Williamson 2. Neville Hewitt

CB

1. Morris Claiborne, Trumaine Johnson 2. Buster Skrine, Darryl Roberts 3. Parry Nickerson, Juston Burris, 4. Derrick Jones

SS

1. Jamal Adams 2. Terrence Brooks 3. J.J. Wilcox

FS

1. Marcus Maye 2. Doug Middleton

SPECIAL TEAMS

K

1. Jason Myers

P

1. Lachlan Edwards

H

1. Lachlan Edwards

PR

1. Andre Roberts 2. Trenton Cannon

KR

1. Andre Roberts 2. Trenton Cannon

LS

1. Thomas Hennesy