Robby Anderson Quincy Enunwa
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

New York Jets wide receivers Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa complement each other so perfectly that it’s actually astonishing.

The New York Jets offense breaks the huddle. Josh McCown slowly walks to the line of scrimmage while scanning the defense.

“Where’s that second safety,” he wonders silently. “Where’s that strong safety?”

He’s in the box. Actually, he’s more lined up next to the free, but he’s playing games. For all intents and purposes, he’s a box player on this down as the front seven is clearly lined up with the idea of the second safety joining them down low.

It’s a 2nd-and-5 and the strong is in the box, dangerously close to the line of scrimmage. He’s either coming on the blitz, has the near flat via zone or will pick up the tight end in a man.

It’s time.

With the free safety all alone and the specific corner targeted as a slow straight-speed defender, the time is now to take advantage of a Robby Anderson 9-route. That free safety will never get over in time. Shall McCown look elsewhere during his seven-step drop, there’s no chance the centerfielder will make it over unless his name is Earl Thomas (in his prime).

McCown makes it official at the line of scrimmage and hits Robby on the streak for the 40-yard score. This is the exact situation McCown found himself in so many times during the 2017 campaign.

So subtly smooth yet incredibly obvious pertaining to straight-line speed—this is Anderson.

Now meet Quincy Enunwa, the perfectly contrasting wideout to smooth Robby.

Everything Anderson does so well, Enunwa counters. Anderson’s that straight-line speedster. Enunwa’s the possession monster. Anderson’s that point-scoring game breaker. Enunwa’s that kill ’em slowly quarterback safety blanket.

The two complement one another so perfectly.

Not yet into August, the battle among the top five wideouts for the No. 2 through 5 wide receiver slots is ongoing. Pencil Anderson is as the No. 1 man on the chart.

Anderson, 25, is a North Jersey product, Teaneck, who thoroughly enjoyed his breakout NFL season a year ago. Piling up 941 yards and seven scores on 63 total grabs, Robby nearly qualified as a Pro Bowler.

The official starting spot behind Anderson is a clouded mess between four players:

  • Jermain Kearse
  • Quincy Enunwa
  • Chad Hansen
  • Terrelle Pryor

It needs to be Enunwa.

Enunwa, 26, is coming back from the most devastating season of his professional career. Having gone down for the entire football campaign last summer, nothing’s guaranteed for the wideout/tight end hybrid. By all accounts early on, he looks fantastic at camp.

Kearse, 28, was stolen by Mike Maccagnan in the Sheldon Richardson deal in early 2017. Though he’s not dripping with the raw, untapped talent like S-Rich carries around, his workmanlike intelligent attitude is perfect for the No. 3 or 4 spot on the depth chart.

He, youngster Chad Hansen and Terrelle Pryor (who should be used as a specialty item offensively) can battle it out for the final wideout spot in the 11 personnel look.

What’s important is that Anderson and Enunwa represent two of the three weapons who are frequently used in the three-wideout look for they each showcase a very unique style the defense must prepare for.

Anderson is a strict outside weapon. Very few NFL wideouts can actually dare dream of running the nine like him. As previously mentioned, when the defense decides to go single-high with a one-on-one matchup against the Jets top receiver, Anderson becomes a legit threat to score from anywhere on the field.

In addition, his speed creates other mismatches along the sideline such as the back-shoulder route, the deep out, and the conventional deep stop.

Enunwa, on the other hand, can play both outside and inside (though he’s most dangerous inside). He’s a middle-of-the-field matchup nightmare. Should the defense throw a corner on him, Enunwa’s body positioning and brutal nature allow him to muscle the ball. Should the Jets throw him at the Y (tight end) and the defense dare go with a safety as a cover man, Enunwa’s speed will take over.

New York Jets
Robby Sabo
New York Jets
Robby Sabo

He’s a slant, seam, dig and stick route-tree weapon who can shred any defense if provided the proper support outside (in Robby Anderson). Robby’s speed forces the defense to use two-deep entirely more than they want to. This opens up Enunwa over the middle and underneath.

Oh yeah, he can also block like a tight end—an incredible rushing advantage for any offense.

The offensive line is severely handicapped. The rushing game may come slow and the quarterback situation, though exciting, might take a little getting used to. But the one thing all New York Jets fan should know is just how dangerous this deep wide receiver group truly is—especially the case when discussing the two de facto starters.

Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa not only represent a solid NFL starting tandem, they might just complement one another more perfectly than anything we currently see in the league today.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com