The Jets are still sorting out their 53-man roster before the preseason finale against the Giants, but the names in Florham Park right now may not be the only ones who matter for Week 1.
That’s the reality for Darren Mougey, who has already shown he’s willing to make a real move late in the process. The Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs trades proved that. So while the Jets are trimming the roster, they could also be watching the waiver wire and the cutdown market for help.
There are four players on other teams who could shake loose and become part of the Jets’ Week 1 picture.
Will Levis sits at the top of that list. He is third on the Titans’ depth chart behind Cam Ward and Mitch Trubisky, and the Jets’ current quarterback setup makes the idea even more interesting.
Cade Klubnik is listed as the backup, but if anything happens to Geno Smith, the Jets would be looking at Klubnik starting with Brady Cook active on game days. Levis brings major arm talent and has already shown he can run a passable NFL offense, which gives him a chance to climb to QB2 if Klubnik is not ready.
If New York could get him without giving up a trade package, that would be strong value.
Geno Stone is another name worth watching. His seven-interception season with the Ravens ended up looking like a one-off, and he was average after signing with the Bengals before being beaten out by Damar Hamlin in Buffalo.
The concern with Stone is tackling, since he has been one of the league’s weaker run-support safeties. Still, 13 interceptions over the last three years is no accident.
If Andre Cisco starts to slip, Stone could become a real option for the Jets.
Ryan McCollum would fit a very different need. The Jets’ starting offensive line is in good shape, but the depth behind it is shaky.
There’s a difference between carrying elite backups and being one play away from relying on Xavier Newman or rookie Anez Cooper, who is only listed at right guard. McCollum has been with the Steelers since 2022 and has experience at multiple spots along the line.
With so many high draft picks in Pittsburgh’s offensive line group, his path to making that roster looks narrow unless they keep 10 linemen. For New York, he could be a cleaner answer than Newman and a more flexible option than Cooper.
Chad Muma rounds out the group. The former Wyoming standout has never really gotten a full opportunity, even after the Jaguars took him right after Devin Lloyd.
Since then, he has moved from Jacksonville to Indianapolis to New England and has handled himself well when called upon. But his preseason work could leave rookie Namdi Obiazor in position to take over as the top backup linebacker, which would push Muma toward a special teams-only role if he isn’t released.
With Mykal Walker dealing with an injury and Kiko Mauigoa lined up for a starting job if someone goes down, adding a linebacker like Muma for depth would make plenty of sense.
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