Before becoming Jets general manager, Joe Douglas watched some film so that he could familiarize himself with the roster he could possibly inherit. When he did, one player surprisingly stood out.
Douglas was taken aback by Robby Anderson’s tape. The game that shined brightest for Douglas was the one against the Denver Broncos back in October. Anderson had three receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns that day, including a 76-yard score.
“He’s a tough weapon for defenses to match up with, he can get behind you and he can challenge the defense vertically,” Douglas told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “That was a very pleasant surprise.”
Douglas saw firsthand why Anderson’s breakaway speed proves that he can be the Jets No. 1 target. It also goes to show why the Eagles, Douglas’ former team, were interested in bringing Anderson to Philadelphia before settling on Golden Tate. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Jets resisted trade proposals from the Eagles to acquire Anderson before the 2018 trade deadline.
Anderson was not quite as dynamic of a player last year as he was in 2017, but he had to deal with the growing pains of a rookie quarterback and a new offense. Once Sam Darnold returned from injury, the two gained some rapport and Anderson finished off his third season on a high note.
While Douglas settles into the role of being the fourth Jets general manager in a decade, he has some roster evaluating to do. Philadelphia has had a tendency to extend its younger players; perhaps Douglas will bring that approach to New York and Anderson, who will be a free agent after this season.
