On September 26, the New York Jets made a gamble by claiming former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins off of waivers. However, the Jets did not just pick up a tight end,but also his baggage. Seferian-Jenkins was recently released from the Buccaneers after receiving his second DUI. Many teams refused to do what the Jets did for proper reasons. Why then did the Jets claim him?
The New York Jets Gamble with Austin Seferian-Jenkins Can Work
Seferian-Jenkins Clearly Has Talent
There is no getting around it, Seferian-Jenkins has talent. He was drafted in the second round (38th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. His nickname is Hercules for a reason. Seferian-Jenkins is built like a tight end at 6’6″, 262 pounds. Also in 18 games (12 starts) spanning from 2014-present he has made 45 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns.
Then there’s the other side to the story. The Jets weakest position is the tight end. In regards to offense, the Jets have had and still have the weakest tight end position in the NFL. Through the Jets first three games neither Kellen Davis nor Brandon Bostick have a reception. The Washington Redskins have more receptions and yards than these two combined from their cornerback position; a purely defensive position. Quinton Dunbar of the Redskins has one reception for 31 yards. This stresses how pitiful the Jets tight ends have been in receiving.
So far the Jets have not necessarily needed a tight end, though. They have been lining Quincy Enunwa up as a slot receiver with great success. Some have even questioned if he really is a wide receiver or actually a tight end.
Nonetheless, Seferian-Jenkins can be a true tight end for the Jets. The decision is solely up to him, however.
The Jets Are a Good Fit For Seferian-Jenkins
The Jets stand out among many other teams as the one who can take on Seferian-Jenkins. The locker room is filled with notable veterans. Among these is the outspoken leader, Brandon Marshall. Marshall has already reached out to Seferian-Jenkins and offered to mentor him.
“I’ve been talking to Austin for a week now, even before this even happened,” said Marshall according to Newsday. “When I saw what he was going through I reached out to him. We’ve been talking for a while. He is a great talent. When I heard yesterday we claimed him I was like ‘This is God sent’. If he needs me, I am there.”
It was important for the Buccaneers to cut Seferian-Jenkins to wake him up. Players are given second chances and sometimes third chances in the NFL, but no team wants to tolerate a multitude of repeated illegal offenses like that of Johnny Manziel or Josh Gordon.
With the right mix of veterans in the locker room, this may be exactly what Seferian-Jenkins needed. Head coach Todd Bowles has already met with him and will be giving him a fresh start.
“Of course, anybody coming in is going to say all the right things,” said Bowles according to NJ.com. “But your actions speak louder than your words. So he’s got a clean slate with us, and going forward, we’ll see what he does. What he does going forward will determine what we do.”
As Bowles said, Seferian-Jenkins’ career is in his own hands. If he decides to turn things around, the Jets can get an absolute steal of a player for a talent-starved position.
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