OP I agree with a poster above, just make sure its all 1 PNR and your bags should transfer by themselves, Bags dont come flying out at JFK, even as a Mosaic with bags coming out among the 1st once they start coming out its usually a 20-30 min wait till they start coming out
Lets say yours are 1st , you then have to go up 1 level and recheck them and then go thru Security again and at that hour of the morn, it may be a very long line even with Pre-Check
Id say you are asking for problems if you dont have 1 PNR unless as you said just travel with a carry-on