Dynasty Capsule: New York Jets
As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.
Our next stop is New Jersey’s fantasy wasteland.
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith
Smith’s rookie year was a struggle – there’s no way around it. He finished with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 12:21 (or roughly 1:2), a 55% completion percentage and a little over 3,000 yards passing. Those are pretty disgusting stats, but the silver lining is how he closed the year. In the last four weeks, he posted 790 yards passing, a 59% completion percentage, 186 yards rushing and seven total touchdowns (three rushing and four passing) with only two interceptions. That 2013 finish leaves him on an upward trajectory. Considering the last four weeks of the year and how few weapons were at his disposal as a rookie, Smith’s a potential buy low candidate this off-season. However, expect the Jets to bring in some competition via the draft or free agency (see Mike Vick chatter).
Mark Sanchez
The play that resulted in a nasty shoulder injury that ended Sanchez’s 2013 season was likely his last as a Jet. There are a few conflicting reports on what is expected to happen with Sanchez, but it’s hard to believe he’ll remain with the team. The Jets are being tight-lipped on his future as it’s likely that they are trying to get anything they can for the former first rounder. In all likelihood, they’ll cut him and his $13.1 million 2014 cap hit by the time his March roster bonus is due. Releasing him will save the Jets about $8 million in 2014 and absolve them from the huge cap hits in 2015 and 2016. He’d need to take a massive pay cut to stick with the team, so expect Sanchez to hit the open market and land as a backup elsewhere in 2014.
Running Backs
Chris Ivory
Ivory had a decent season with the Jets considering he didn’t see consistent carries until week seven. Despite that, he finished with a little over 800 yards rushing and an average of 4.6 yards per carry. While that’s a nice pace, the thing that kills his fantasy value is the fact he’s not involved in the passing game at all. He had two catches on seven targets for the year – that alone will kill his fantasy value in PPR leagues. Never mind the fact the Jets’ offense struggles to provide red zone opportunities. The Jets are likely to bring in competition at tight end and wide receiver and given those needs, Ivory is a strong bet to be in the mix for meaningful carries again in 2014. The major question with Ivory is always his health, though.
Bilal Powell
Powell started 2013 strong. In the first four weeks, he accumulated 292 yards rushing (or 40% of his season’s total), but gave way to Ivory and fizzled. He finished the year with 700 yards rushing on an average of four yards per carry. He’s an average talent, but will continue to serve as the Jets’ primary receiving option out of the backfield again in 2014 after finishing 2013 with 36 receptions for 272 yards. Powell is nothing more than a roster clogger. His best value is on another owner’s roster.
Mike Goodson
While Goodson is signed for 2014, he only had seven carries in 2013. Don’t expect much fantasy value here.
Wide Receivers
The Jets’ receivers are a sad bunch. Expect additions via free agency and/or the draft in the coming months. Whoever is added is likely to be the top receiver option, though it’s questionable about whether that’s a good thing given the state of this offense. I guess it can only get better?
Santonio Holmes
Holmes is a disaster of a teammate and widely believed to be behind the “anonymous” sandbagging of Sanchez two years ago. He’s due a roster bonus in mid-March of $1 million and will count roughly $10 million against the cap in 2014. As a horrible teammate with three atrocious seasons under his current contract, he’s likely to be cut in the coming weeks so the Jets can save some cap money.
Stephen Hill
It’s hard to believe the Jets selected Hill over Alshon Jeffery in the 2012 draft, but it’s expected given the franchise’s muddled history. One scout said given Hill’s measurables, he was either going to be a Pro Bowler in four years or out of the league. After showing marginal improvement in his second year with the team accumulating 342 yards receiving on 24 catches, Hill needs to show some improvement or he’ll soon be on the street. He possesses upside, but his lack of fluidity (i.e., awkwardness) and inability to improve his hands is concerning.
Jeremy Kerley
Kerley finished 2013 as the Jets leading receiver with 523 yards receiving. While that’s pathetic, Kerley has proven to be a reliable role player for the Jets. He’s a trustworthy option and currently a favorite of Smith, but Kerley is a better NFL player than fantasy option. His upside is likely capped at his 2012 production of a WR4.
Greg Salas
Salas isn’t worth any fantasy value in even the deepest leagues. It’s hard enough to justify rostering most of the above receivers.
Tight Ends
Jeff Cumberland, FA
Cumberland is a free agent, but it appears likely to be re-signed by the Jets. He didn’t take the step many expected with the starting role in 2013, but he still possesses upside. He’s big, athletic and has nice hands. He’s a deep sleeper should the Jets re-sign him and not bring in another competitive threat at the position. However, expect the Jets to bring in competition via the draft.
Zach Sudfeld
A favorite sleeper of many with Rob Gronkowski on the shelf early last year, Sudfeld was quickly released by the Patriots early in the season. Fantasy owners should do much of the same as he’s nothing more than waiver wire fodder. He finished 2013 with five catches for 63 yards. You can do better with countless other deep tight end options.
