Despite the quarterback position remaining an uncertainty at mandatory minicamp, the New York Jets have some serious weaponry on offense.
Welcome to the brand spanking new National Football League ladies and gentlemen.The place for which running is optional and shotguns are the norm. The place that allows quarterbacks to throw in any situation and to anybody on the field.
Well, perhaps the word “anybody” is a bit of a stretch. Those big fat heavies who make up five of the 11 on the offensive side of the ball only dream of crossing that end-zone after picking up a fumbled ball or somehow miraculously catching a tipped pass.
“Anybody” refers to the weapons.
No longer do these weapons only include certain guys. The tight-end is an entirely different position than when Brent Jones was leading the pass-catching way for tight-ends over two decades ago. The fullback position, while still existent, is barely hanging on by a thread but comes in many forms.
Weapons from an offensive perspective in the NFL these days are defined as anybody and everybody on the offense who doesn’t play offensive line or quarterback.
With that in mind, we take a look at what’s currently happening in Florham Park, NJ. And with a new starting quarterback currently leading the charge – Geno Smith – things could be quite different for these weapons.
Here’s how the New York Jets offensive weaponry breaks down for 2016:
Begin Slideshow
25 Through 11
25. Brandon Bostick, TE
24. Jason Vander Laan, TE
23. Quenton Bundrage, WR
22. Kellen Davis, TE
21. Romar Morris, RB
20. Chandler Worthy, WR
19. Wes Saxton, TE
18. Dominique Williams, RB
17. Titus Davis, WR
16. Robby Anderson, WR
15. Zach Sudfeld, TE
14. Tommy Bohanon, FB
13. Jeremy Ross, WR/KR
12. Zac Stacy, RB
11. Charone Peake, WR
When trying to rank weapons No. 25 through 11, something very understandable is realized.
It’s impossible.
Weapons in the NFL aren’t simply based on a man’s specific skill-set. Many factors are thrown into the mix, especially that of chemistry with the current QB. Thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick still lingering out in free agent land, only a good guess can be prudent when trying to break these guys down.
We know guys like Kellen Davis and Tommy Bohanon are excellent at what they do. They’re used as run blockers. Bohanon has some skill as a pass catcher and even as a FB route runner.
We know who Zach Sudefeld and Zac Stacy are: Guys who won’t get much playing time.
Rookie Charone Peake and free agent acquisition Jeremy Ross are wild cards. Ross, especially, who’ll be battling especially by way of returning kicks and punts.
Now let’s get on to the big show, the Top 10:
10. Devin Smith, WR
- AGE: 24, 6’4”, 190 lbs.
- 2015: 10 G, 28 TGT, 9 REC, 115 YDS, 1 TD
Although Devin Smith might feel slighted being slotted as the No. 10 man on this list, he’s probably too high.
He may not play at all in 2016.
Smith didn’t just tear his ACL a season ago, he did it in the month of December. This means the entire following season is in jeopardy. That’s just the way of the knee injury with the athlete.
What Smith does provide, when or if he returns in 2016, is pure speed.
His 4.42 40-yard dash proves how blazing fast the kid from Ohio State is. Unfortunately, the other areas of his game were just too inconsistent to render a successful rookie campaign.
Now, we wait. It’s as simple as that.
9. Kenbrell Thompkins, WR
- AGE: 27, 6’0”, 195 lbs.
- 2015: 7 G, 33 TGT, 17 REC, 165 YDS, 0 TD
Kenbrell Thompkins was one sensational catch away from turning his ordinary name into something special in the history books of the New York Jets.
Just look at the reaction of the sideline. They understood how close the Jets were to achieving a miracle, an 11-5 record, and an NFL Postseason berth.
But alas, it was not to be.
This is a catch a starting NFL wide receiver should make. The ball was right in Thompkins’ hands and only a brief brush from the safety jarred it loose.
Though he’s not a starter, Thompkins does bring some veteran depth to the table. As an undrafted rookie free agent signing with the New England Patriots in 2013, he could be as high as a No. 4 guy with New York.
8. Khiry Robinson, RB
- AGE: 26, 6’0”, 220 lbs.
- 2015: 8 G, 56 CAR, 180 YDS, 4 TD, 20 TGT 17 REC, 115 YDS, 0 TD
Whether or not former New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson receives immense playing time in the New York Jets backfield or not isn’t the true factor in determining if he’s a true weapon or not.
His raw ability proves it.
Robinson isn’t just a versatile running back by way of the certain schemes he can run behind, the 26-year old kid can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. In fact, with him aboard, the Jets top three running backs are all of the versatile/3rd Down ilk.
7. Jalin Marshall, WR/KR
- AGE: 20, 5’11”, 205 lbs.
- 2015 NCAA: 12 G, 36 REC, 477 YDS, 5 TD, 2 CAR, 30 YDS, 0 TD
When speaking of true wild cards, the name of Jalin Marshall creeps to the forefront.
Marshall, the undrafted rookie free agent out of Ohio State, is truly a jack of all trades. Switching from quarterback to running back for the Buckeyes, Marshall’s route-running ability could be the worst on the squad.
The beauty is this: Chan Gailey loves these versatile players. Just look at what he did with Quincy Enunwa a season ago.
Running a less than overwhelming 4.60 40-yard dash as the NFL Combine, Marshall is more of a slippery runner than a speed burner. He’s a guy who relies on his vision and agility. He’s the perfect candidate to return kicks for the Jets.
Basically playing the position of wide receiver with a running back’s mind, Marshall is a guy who’ll be used in certain situations in 2016 – should he make the squad.
6. Jace Amaro, TE
- AGE: 23, 6’5”, 265 lbs.
- 2014: 14 G, 53 TGT, 38 REC, 345 YDS, 2 TD
Aside from Brandon Marshall, it’s the New York Jets starting tight end who truly boasts the best raw physical skills from a weaponry point of view.
Amaro ran an extremely quick 4.57 40-yard at the combine two seasons ago. This is super fast for the position. Obviously, though, he missed all of 2015 due to injury. It was a blow that was quickly adjusted with the use of many WRs.
Season off or not, the kid has talent and his below average rookie campaign should not be an alarming factor.
To know exactly what Amaro brings to the table, take a gander at Week 6 of the 2014 season. With the Jets hosting the Denver Broncos, a goal-to-go situation was in the cards. The play? A simple fade to the rookie:
Amaro has Rob Gronkowski-like attributes near the goalline. When spread out in this situation, there are very few linebackers who can match up one-on-one.
Amaro’s return will be make for a very giddy QB come August, whether it’s Geno or Fitz.
5. Quincy Enunwa, WR/TE
- AGE: 24, 6’2”, 225 lbs.
- 2015: 12 G, 46 TGT, 22 REC, 315 YDS, 2 TD
First of all, what is he? At 6’2” and 225 lbs., is Quincy Enunwa a big wide receiver or a smallish more modern NFL tight end?
Honestly, it doesn’t matter.
The way Chan Gailey operates, what Enunwa is, becomes irrelevant. The only thing the Jets care about is how defensive coordinators get headaches from worrying about such a guy who makes a far from large statistical dent in the box score.
And this is the key: Enunwa changes the formation advantage in favor of the Jets.
If he’s out there with three other wide receivers and the defense matches with a dime, Enunwa will do major damage in the run blocking game. If he’s out there and the defense considers him a tight end and throws a backer or a safety on him, Enunwa then becomes a plus matchup in the passing game.
He can also run with the best of them as seen in overtime of Week 16 against the New England Patriots:
He’s a guy who’ll serve as the No. 3 or 4 WR while also serving as the No. 2 TE in passing situations.
He’s a beautiful option to always have at your disposal. As long as he doesn’t drop critical passes – like we saw in Week 17 in Buffalo last January – he’ll be a valuable piece to the offense.
4. Eric Decker, WR
- AGE: 29, 6’3”, 206 lbs.
- 2015: 15 G, 132 TGT, 80 REC, 1027 YDS, 12 TD
Eric Decker coming in as the fourth best weapon on the New York Jets might be a bit of a surprise for you. After all, the Jets No. 2 option out side did come up with a pretty representative 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns on 80 catches.
Ranked No. 4 on this list or not, Decker is the quintessential No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL.
His greatest strength is route-running. He’s not quick; he doesn’t have tremendous hands; he doesn’t possess blazing straight line speed. Decker’s routes are what makes him his money in this league.
He’s a guy who the QB can always depend on, lean on. He’s a guy who’ll always be in the right position and make the right read depending on the coverage. This professionalism is worth its weight in gold.
As long as New York’s No. 3 WR option brings some element of speed to the table, Decker as the No. 2 is a phenomenal option.
3. Bilal Powell, RB
- AGE: 27, 5’11”, 204 lbs.
- 2015: 11 G, 70 CAR, 313 YDS, 1 TD, 63 TGT, 47 REC, 388 YDS, 2 TD
The man who leapfrogs Eric Decker in taking the No. 3 spot on this list is Bilal Powell.
It doesn’t matter he’s the No. 2 running back. It doesn’t matter starter Matt Forte is a 3rd down RB himself.
Powell is just that good.
The problem with Powell is staying on the field. When he does, he’s invaluable to the Jets offense. What’s more is it actually felt like Powell was faster in 2015 than he ever had been in the past. His burst was noticeable.
Take Week 13 of 2015 for example. With the Jets needing to comeback from a two possession deficit against the New York Giants, Ryan Fitzpatrick leaned on Powell. Powell caught eight balls for 91 yards and a score.
His touchdown came on a beautifully designed middle screen in a desperate 3rd and long situation:
Powell’s versatility is worth its weight in gold.
2. Matt Forte, RB
- AGE: 30, 6’1”, 221 lbs.
- 2015: 13 G, 218 CAR, 898 YDS, 4 TD, 58 TGT, 44 REC, 389 YDS, 3 TD
Speaking of versatility, the new starter in the New York Jets backfield showcases plenty.
What’s interesting about the Jets backfield in 2016, as opposed to 2015, is not the difference of Matt Forte and Chris Ivory. It’s that the Jets have now collected the same type RB.
Both Forte and Powell are the same player. They can run the ball in multiple blocking schemes, catch the ball out of the backfield, and help in the pass protection game.
Last season, when Ivory was on the field the Jets offensive gave away part of their play. Defenses knew he wasn’t a weapon in the passing game and some sort of power run was to be expected.
In 2016, whether it’s Powell or Forte, anything is possible and everything is available.
These two guys will be interchangeable instead of playing specific roles that tend to cut much of the playbook off thanks to physical limitations. Forte can also play a pretty solid role as the goalline back.
1. Brandon Marshall, WR
- AGE: 32, 6’4”, 229 lbs.
- 2015: 16 G, 173 TGT, 109 REC, 1502 YDS, 14 TD
Did you actually think the New York Jets best weapon could be anybody other than Brandon Marshall?
Not a chance.
Forget stats. Forget touchdowns. What this guy does for an offense is completely change the game.
When B-Marsh is in the equation and on the field, defenses are put on high alert. He must be awarded with extra attention. This means the defensive gameplan gets completely tossed on its head.
The Jets most memorable TD from a season ago didn’t even go to Marshall, yet he had the biggest impact on the play.
Just look at the top of the screen (left side of the formation). Bill Belichick feels forced to put his extra safety on Marshall’s side. This leaves Eric Decker one-on-one and Ryan Fitzpatrick delivers a strike on the flat fade for the game winning overtime touchdown.
If Marshall is doubled, Decker flourishes. If the defense is stupid enough to leave him single covered, Fitzpatrick finds him.
It’s that simple when a true game changer is involved with an offense.