We comb through 12 New York Jets on the active roster who have a distinct opportunity, and the ability, to break out in a big way this season.
Last season, the New York Jets undoubted breakout performer was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who emerged from the irrelevancy of veteran backup to the spotlight of an every-down signal caller.Fitzpatrick started 16 games and broke the Jets’ franchise record for touchdown passes while having a personal career year.
On the defensive side of the ball, Erin Henderson became a linchpin of the linebacker corps after his preseason listing at fifth on the Jets’ depth chart at inside linebacker. Marcus Williams broke out to the tune of six interceptions in his thirteen games played last year. Calvin Pryor took major strides.
RELATED: Jets 2016 Preview & Predictions
This year, even more talent rides on the horizon for the promise of tapping into its potential. Some of that potential is clear as day – and a safe bet to be displayed on the field – and some are found in the hidden gems of youngsters buried within the depth chart.
Perhaps there is some irony in the design of this piece in that the very purpose of the term “breakout” is to indicate an unexpected phenomenon. Regardless, we’ll put our best effort forward to sniff out the players poised for that breakout success, including both the expected and the unexpected.
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1. Quincy Enunwa, WR
For Enunwa, 2016 bears the fruits of a full, healthy season — a far cry from his first two pro seasons. Last year, while an incremental improvement from his rookie year in which he missed 15 of 16 games, Enunwa played in parts of just 12 games.
The former 6th round pick racked up 22 catches for 315 yards over that span, in which he started six games. While those numbers won’t blow anyone away, Enunwa showed flashes of vertical route ability and became a late-season contributor thanks to sure hands and an imposing figure.
Those impressive aspects of his game make Enunwa a good bet to be an integral member of the Jets’ receiving core, as he has risen to third on the depth chart at the position.
His size, 6’2″, 225 lbs., is an asset which will allow Chan Gailey to deploy Enunwa in a tight end capacity, something the Jets did last season. Regardless of whether or not Gailey chooses to use Enunwa as a tight end, the third-year receiver will have his opportunities given Gailey’s tendency to use four- or five-wide out sets.
With all that in mind, Enunwa is a candidate to emerge as a consistent contributor to the Jets’ offense, representing an option to Fitzpatrick vertically or of the traditional tight end variety.
NEXT: Running Back Time
2. Bilal Powell, RB
You could argue Powell already had his breakout year and point to his 2015 season as that career peak. But Powell displayed an ability to climb even higher last season, as his play ascended in direct relation to the season’s progression. As that productivity rose, so did the playing time for Powell; by season’s end, he was a key asset to Chan Gailey’s offense.
After the Jets’ modest investment in Matt Forte, who the team acquired for considerably less than Chris Ivory‘s Jaguar contract, it’s reasonable to think that opportunity for Powell will grow in 2016. After all, Powell’s Jets’ payday fell less than a million dollars short of Forte — indicating there could be quite an even time share.
With that prospect in mind, Powell, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season, can shape into an enviable backfield weapon in both the receiving and rushing game.
NEXT: Youngsters Out-Wide
3. The Young Receivers
The Jets’ trio of rookie receivers — Charone Peake, Robby Anderson, and Jalin Marshall — along with second-year wideout Devin Smith is a group of young, talented skill players with high ceilings.
And you’ve got to be excited by that. Smith, the Ohio State man, was drafted by the Jets in the second round of last year’s draft, a prospect status which he is yet to live up to.
But, after a first season marred by injury and consequently less opportunity, Smith should see his talent recognized with those two detractors from last season’s performance removed from the equation (“removed” is an admitted overstatement, as Smith is on the physically unable to perform list at this moment).
For the rookies, it’s hard to estimate the pro impact of players drafted late (in the case of Peake) and that of players not drafted at all (Anderson and Marshall). For what it’s worth, though, the trio was a collective preseason pleasantry, as each one had his respective contributions to Jets’ exhibition — earning their roster spots as a result.
NEXT: Rookie Linebackers
4. The Rookie Linebackers
The Jets’ linebacker unit will be an interesting group to watch, as it is budding with young, up-and-coming talent while at the same time balanced by a veteran presence.
Look for Jordan Jenkins, the Jets’ third-round selection out of Georgia, to have a plentiful opportunity in his rookie season (he is, in fact, listed as a starting outside linebacker — though when the Jets choose a 4-3 set, he would likely be the odd man out).
Darron Lee, the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft, will get his time on the inside where you can bet he’ll eventually displace veteran Erin Henderson.
You’re probably catching on to the theme: opportunity and talent to rise to the occasion are the needed elements to the formula of achieving the breakout season. Jenkins and Lee fit the bill, and are therefore prime candidates.
NEXT: Edge Heat
5. Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB
Sticking with linebackers, Mauldin is a favorite pick to emerge as a serious outside threat. Mauldin was an ipso facto starter upon Calvin Pace‘s free agent departure, and the second-year Louisville man looks like a good bet to redeem his monstrous college career at the pro level.
With the outside linebacker position wide open, Mauldin will be Todd Bowles‘ go-to on packages of all kind. Expecting every-down action for Mauldin, the question lies simply in whether or not the third-round talent can contribute in his increased role.
NEXT: Rookie Cornerbacks
6. Marcus Williams / Juston Burris, CB
Williams, as mentioned above, broke out (by the definition) last season, but his opportunity will be significantly magnified this season. So, it’s reasonable to call him a break out candidate.
When the Jets cut Antonio Cromartie with no obvious plans to replace him with a financial expenditure, his replacement would come on in-house merit. There you have Williams, the undrafted third-year Jet.
And there you have Burris, the Jets ‘ fourth-round pick in April’s draft. Coming out of North Carolina State, Burris is reputed as a cover corner, and not necessarily a playmaker (he had just three interceptions in his college career). Burris did impress in training camp and looked good in preseason, so he represents an option for Todd Bowles’ secondary.
NEXT: The Roamer
7. Calvin Pryor, S
At this point, with Pryor’s inclusion on this slideshow, “breakout” is a misnomer. Because Pryor already broke out, and he did so in a big way last season. He racked up 47 tackles after sliding into a more comfortable strong safety spot, a position at which he earned his “Bone Crusher” nickname back in his Louisville days.
Pryor’s ceiling may remain untouched, as the first-rounder could very well have a Pro-Bowl future in which he emerges as one of the top safeties in the game.
For Pryor, it’s safe to say that even more room to grow exists.