In less than two weeks, the Jets will be back in action with the beginning of training camp. Once the pads go on and the players begin to go after it under the hot summer sun, New York will be one step closer to kicking off what figures to be a promising 2019 season.
Throughout camp, the veterans and incumbent starters will focus on perfecting their craft and getting comfortable with new offensive and defensive schemes. The fringe players will spend training camp and the preseason fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster with the coaching staff keeping a watchful eye over them through it all.
In anticipation of camp beginning, Jets Wire will break down where New York stands at each position. From positions that are seemingly set in stone to those that will feature plenty of competition, there will be plenty to watch for throughout late July and early August.
Let’s take a look at some of the receivers Sam Darnold will be throwing to in 2019.
QB|RB
The Starters
The Jets return two starters at wide receiver in 2019 and added a talented slot receiver in free agency to give Sam Darnold another weapon to work with.
Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are back and primed to take their games to the next level in Adam Gase’s offense. Meanwhile, Jamison Crowder comes to New York from the Redskins with a reputation for being a clean route runner who has a knack for finding the soft spot in opposing defenses.
Anderson, Enunwa and Crowder are not superstars, but they are solid contributors and legitimate threats to make plays.
Fighting For Playing Time
Beyond Anderson, Enunwa and Crowder, the Jets have a bunch of receivers with similar skill sets and not much separation between the players on the depth chart as a result.
Deontay Burnett came on strong at the end of last season and already has good chemistry with Sam Darnold, giving him a leg up on the competition. Charone Peake has flashed potential throughout his NFL career but has never been able to put it together and contribute. Free agent signings Josh Bellamy and Deonte Thompson could carve out a role, but Bellamy is a special teams ace and Thompson has a lot to prove in training camp. Undrafted free agent Greg Dortch is dynamic in the open field, but his best bet at making the team is winning the kick and punt return jobs.
New York’s logjam at receiver will work itself out in training camp. However, it might come down to the dog days of summer to see who makes the team.
Better Luck Next Year
Quadree Henderson, Jeff Smith, Tim White and J.J. Jones are all loaded with potential. Unfortunately for them, their opportunity to showcase that potential will not come with the Jets.
New York is simply too packed at wide receiver for any of the four to seriously challenge for a spot on the 53-man roster. Henderson has the best chance of the quartet, but even he is a long shot.
Final Analysis
It’s an underrated trio, but the Jets have something good going with Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jamison Crowder. Anderson takes the top off opposing defenses with ease, Crowder carves them up underneath and Enunwa can do it all. For the first time in a while, New York has three solid wideouts for its quarterback to work with.
There’s a lot of uncertainty behind the starters, but that will work itself out in training camp. Deontay Burnett is most likely to break out of the logjam and make an impact in 2019, but don’t sleep on what Deonte Thompson or Greg Dortch could potentially bring to the table.
