After this past weekend’s roster gutting, the New York Jets have put together some semblance of a final roster. It’s full of players that even the most loyal and knowledgeable fans are left scratching their heads about. However, this is the product and now all fans can do is sit back and wait for it be over.
Fans Must Embrace New York Jets Skill Position Players
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General manager Mike Maccagnan did some wheeling and dealing over the weekend and was able to trade defensive end Sheldon Richardson. In return, the Jets were able to grab the Seattle Seahawks second round pick and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.
Jermaine Kearse
Kearse, who is just 27, will immediately become the Jets number one receiver. Though he’s had his moments in big time games, Kearse was just Seattle’s third receiver last season before Tyler Lockett went down with an injury. The receiver will look to have a bounce back year in 2017, though it is unlikely that is the case with the quarterbacks on the roster.
Will Tye
This past weekend the Jets also picked up former Giants tight end Will Tye. Tye, who became expendable with the Giants drafting of Evan Engram, could provide a slight upgrade to the Jets offense.
Tye started ten games for the Giants as a rookie in 2015 and seven games last season. He has four touchdowns and over 800 yards in his career. His career numbers are nothing to get excited about but at least he brings experience to the offense.
Tye gives the Jets the ability to use some two tight end sets starting week three once Austin Seferian-Jenkins gets back from suspension. Kearse, Tye, Sefarian-Jenkins and Robby Anderson will be Gang Green’s top receiving weapons this year.
Rushing Attack
The Jets running back group is perhaps the only one on the offense that has some mix of both experience and talent. Matt Forte was once considered the best receiver out of the backfield and a dynamic rusher. At age 31 and hampered by a lingering hamstring issue, he won’t provide much production.
Bilal Powell provides more upside and is perhaps the only fantasy option for players willing to take someone on the Jets. Powell is only 28 and it’s time for him to breakout. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season but only managed 131 attempts. If the Jets can utilize his full skill set and the offensive line can block anyone, Powell should have a great season.
The Jets have very little depth behind the players listed above. At receiver, the Jets have third and fourth round picks ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen, respectively. Gang Green also took tight end Jordan Leggett in the fifth and Elijah McGuire in the sixth round. These players are rookies and most won’t contribute much, if anything, to the Jets offense in 2017.
It will be an interesting year in East Rutherford with plenty of storylines to follow. Unfortunately for Jets fans, most won’t be about how well their team is performing.
