Dynasty Capsule: New York Jets

Steve Wyremski

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.

The 2014 Jets were atrocious. If you thought the Jets were a fantasy wasteland in 2013, 2014 was nuclear considering the team’s offseason and in-season acquisitions of Eric Decker, Chris Johnson, Jace Amaro and Percy Harvin. Many thought these four would energize the Jets’ lackluster offense and produce decent fantasy options, but let’s be honest – they were useless. The addition of these four barely improved their offensive production in comparison to 2013.

There were some late season gems from Decker which were nothing more than a tease, but not much else worth noting as the offense finished the season 28th in total points and 22nd in offensive yardage. The good news is offensive changes (and potentially a significant overhaul) are expected with the hiring of Todd Bowles (Head Coach), Chan Gailey (offensive coordinator) and Mike Maccagnan (General Manager).

Quarterbacks
Geno Smith

After finishing the 2013 season with four productive games, there was optimism for Smith’s second NFL season as a starter. Unfortunately, Smith struggled for a second consecutive year. He finished with a meager 13 touchdowns, completing only 59 percent of his passes. His week eight performance against Buffalo sums up his season quite well. He threw more interceptions (three) than completions in the first quarter and finished the quarter on the bench with a zero passer rating.

After his second year struggles, Smith may have played his way out of New York already. He’s been nothing but timid and inconsistent while exhibiting poor decision making ability.

There is no doubt the Jets will bring in additional quarterbacks this off-season, whether it be through free agency or the draft, but regardless of who they bring in, don’t be surprised if Smith spends much of the year in a reserve role. Then again, Chan Gailey did work wonders with Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo. Some believe the change in philosophy to a spread offense will actually help Smith.

Personally, I don’t think Smith can handle New York. I predict he’ll remain on non-factor on the bench in 2015.

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Michael Vick

Vick signed a one-year deal last spring as an insurance policy against Smith. He was used heavily in five games and finished with 700 total yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Vick is a free agent this off-season and is likely to sign elsewhere as a solid veteran backup.

Expect the Jets’ quarterback depth chart to be filled in the coming months.

Running Backs

This is another area of the depth chart likely to be completely overhauled this off-season.

Chris Johnson

Johnson finished his first year with the Jets with 650 yards rushing on 155 carries (4.3 yards per carry). His signing was supposed to be a shot (pun intended) in the arm for the Jets’ running game, but he proved to be worn down and washed up. He’s lost a step or two.

With mediocre production in 2014, the fact he’s due over $3 million next season, as well as a recent gun possession arrest, Johnson is a reasonable candidate to be released over the next few months. He’ll be nothing more than a situational player for whatever team he plays for in 2015.

Chris Ivory

Ivory is a better football player than fantasy player right now. Over the last two years, he’s consistently ripped off four-plus yards per carry, but has yet to reach 1,000 yards in any given season – that may partially be due to limited touches, with a little under 200 carries in each of the last two years, but it caps his ceiling. In 2014, he finished with 800 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

His lack of involvement in the passing game is also a huge knock against Ivory’s fantasy worth. In the past two years, he only has 20 receptions. However, he effectively wears down defenses and takes accumulates solid chunks of yardage on a consistent basis. Ivory will be one of the few running backs to return in 2015. He should again be the Jets’ between the tackles/goal line back and maintain RB3 status in PPR leagues with a reasonable floor and low ceiling.

Bilal Powell

After carving out a role in 2013 and 2012 with over 100 carries each season, Powell struggled for snaps in 2014. He finished the year with 141 yards on 33 carries and 11 receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown. A free agent in 2015, it’s worth seeing where Powell lands, but given the opportunity he squandered with the Jets in 2013 and 2012, it would be surprising to see Powell as more than a role player.

Daryl Richardson

The former Ram signed a futures deal with the Jets around the holidays. While the Jets cut him prior to the 2014 season, they must have seen something to bring him back. While a long shot, he’s a compelling player to watch considering the pass catching ability he exhibited in St. Louis combined with Chan Gailey’s spread offense philosophy.

Wide Receivers

Just like running back and quarterback, expect a number of additions at receiver for the Jets this offseason.

Eric Decker

In his first year as a Jet, Decker led the Jets in receiving with 74 catches on 110 targets for 962 yards and five touchdowns (PPR WR26). A preseason hamstring injury and the quarterback play may be the culprit for the sub-1,000 yard season, but Decker was inconsistent throughout the season. Chan Gailey’s spread has to be better than this past year where he received only 110 targets (20% reduction from 2013 with the Broncos) which ranked 40th among receivers. Dwayne Bowe had his best season in Gailey’s offense, if that’s any indication. While many are going to be skeptical given the team’s offense, this may be a nice opportunity to buy low on Decker.

Percy Harvin

Harvin joined the Jets in week eight after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional sixth round pick. In the end, he was just another weapon added to the juggernaut offense who didn’t help.

For the season, he amassed 51 receptions for 483 yards, 217 yards rushing and two touchdowns (PPR WR58). In the end, he just wasn’t a fit with the Jets’ offense. He needs an offense to get him the ball frequently in space.

Harvin is likely to be a better fit in Gailey’s spread offense, but if he’s on the Jets roster in 2015, Seattle will receive a fourth round pick instead of the sixth round pick. Harvin is also scheduled to make over $10 million in 2015. The Jets’ front office has a big decision to make with Harvin, but it seems fairly easy given the pick and money at stake. He’s a solid candidate to be released. Dynasty owners can only hope he lands in an ideal offense, which will be difficult considering the his reputation in the locker room.

Jeremy Kerley

Kerley is one of the most underrated slot receivers in the NFL. As the third receiver on a pedestrian offense, he’ll never be fantasy relevant outside of leagues where five plus receivers are required to be started, but he should be around the NFL for years to come considering his reliability.

In 2014, he finished with 409 yards on 38 receptions and one touchdown. While Harvin may be released because of the fact pattern above, the Jets would still likely bring in another wide receiver to slide into the second receiver spot capping Kerley’s value.

TJ Graham

The 25 year-old speedy receiver is nothing more than a one-dimensional vertical threat. He finished 2014 with three catches for 87 yards on eight targets. He’s not worth rostering even in the deepest of formats.

Tight Ends

Jeff Cumberland

Cumberland shared snaps with rookie Jace Amaro in 2014 finishing with 23 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Historically billed as a super athletic tight end, Cumberland has failed to separate himself. He should continue to lose snaps to Amaro going forward and, as a result, is unlikely to warrant dynasty consideration.

Jace Amaro

Drafted as a receiving tight end to create mismatches up the seam, like the Jets’ offense, Amaro’s performance was in descript. He finished the year with 38 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns.

Coming out of a Texas Tech spread offense, he needed to develop his game which led to a low snap count and minimal production. This wasn’t unexpected considering rookie tight ends typically struggle. With the offensive scheme change and a year behind him, Amaro should improve in his second year.

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