Jets Roster Cuts: Three Players Who Benefited Most
The Jets trimmed their roster to 53, with wide receiver Arian Smith making the cut despite a quiet preseason. Edge rusher Braiden McGregor also secured a spot, surprising some fans. The team remains active, already trading for offensive lineman Jordan Meredith.
The Jets' initial 53-man roster reflects a front office still actively reshaping the roster, as evidenced by the trade for Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith on Sunday. With 38 players released, including defensive tackle Mazi Smith and quarterback Bailey Zappe, the team clearly views its current roster as a work in progress ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against Tennessee. Waiver claims and further trades remain likely in the coming days.
Arian Smith's roster survival is notable given his minimal preseason production—one catch for five yards across three exhibition games. His special teams role as a gunner likely secured his place among six receivers. Similarly, Braiden McGregor edged out Nate Lynn, who recorded three sacks in two preseason games, suggesting the coaching staff values McGregor's 19 games of NFL experience over Lynn's preseason flash. Kiko Mauigoa's path cleared when Mykal Walker landed on injured reserve.
This roster news primarily affects Jets fans and the players themselves, whose careers hinge on these decisions. The team's willingness to keep underperforming young players like Smith and McGregor while cutting more productive preseason performers could signal a long-term development philosophy over short-term results. For the broader NFL audience, it highlights how preseason statistics often carry less weight than practice performance and special teams value—a dynamic that shapes roster construction across all 32 teams each September.