Jets keep Denzel Mims on 53-man roster
Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims runs a route against the Giants during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday. Credit: Brad Penner
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets initial 53-man roster is set, and wide receiver Denzel Mims is on it.
Robert Saleh is operating as if that won’t change. General manager Joe Douglas has the final say on that.
Mims, a 2020 second-round pick, requested a trade last week. Saleh and Douglas both said they will do what’s best for the team. To this point, no deal has presented itself that Douglas likes so Mims remains a Jet for the time being.
Saleh has been very complimentary of Mims. He understands Mims is frustrated that he’s not a starter. Saleh says he doesn’t see Mims as “a hostage” because he wants out. He appreciates how professional Mims has continued to be.
“Denzel’s a tremendously respectful young man,” Saleh said. “I think he genuinely loves his teammates, loves the Jets organization. Is he frustrated? Is he frustrated with all of us? I’m sure he is. He wants to play. For that I don’t think he’s a hostage.
“It’s a lot easier to kick somebody out the door if they want a trade if they’re jerks. That’s not Denzel, he’s a good young man and I like the way he approaches everything, even with this.”
Saleh called Mims one of the Jets’ top six receivers and said, “it doesn’t mean he’s sixth.” Saleh also said if Corey Davis got hurt, he could play his position and “run all his big boy routes.”
Mims had seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s final preseason game against the Giants.
Surprise cut
Jason Pinnock, who played with the starting defense when LaMarcus Joyner was out with an illness, was the most surprising cut the Jets made. He was a fifth-round pick just last year and by all accounts he had been doing well in his transition from cornerback to safety.
Saleh said the decision “was very hard” and he hopes the Jets can re-sign Pinnock to the practice team. The Jets kept four safeties: starters Jordan Whitehead and Joyner, Ashtyn Davis and undrafted rookie free agent Tony Adams, who Saleh didn’t want to risk getting away.
“Every single day just found ways to get better and better,” Saleh said. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. Would have been sick if we would have lost him.”
The Jets cut two other players from last year’s draft: fifth-round pick Hamsah Nasirildeen, whom they were converting from safety to linebacker, and defensive lineman Jonathan Marshall, a sixth-round pick.
The moves
The Jets also cut defensive linemen Jabari Zuniga, Bradley Anae and Tanzel Smart, linebackers Del’Shawn Phillips, Marcell Harris and DQ Thomas, cornerbacks Javelin Guidry, Isaiah Dunn and Rachad Wildgoose and safety Will Parks.
Quarterback Chris Streveler, who led the Jets to three second-half comeback wins in the preseason, was among the offensive players released. Saleh hopes to bring back Streveler on the practice team.
The others were running backs Tevin Coleman, La’Mical Perine, fullback Nick Bawden, receivers Calvin Jackson, Tarik Black and Irv Charles, tight ends Trevon Wesco and Kenny Yeboah and offensive linemen Chuma Edoga, Conor McDermott, Grant Hermanns, Ross Pierschbacher and Chris Glaser.
Running back Zonovan “Bam” Knight, an undrafted rookie free agent, and Lawrence Cager, a former receiver-turned tight end, are on the initial 53-man roster.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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