Quincy Enunwa taking the next step

The New York Jets got their offense from Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, but who is next to step up and deliver? Quincy Enunwa might have something to say about that.

The New York Jets had an offensive resurgence in 2015 with several new additions to the roster. From Ryan Fitzpatrick to Brandon Marshall, the Jets seemed to have the right mix and it resulted in a 10 win season.

Much of that offensive production can be attributed to the likes of Eric Decker and Marshall. So much so that they as a tandem accounted for over 50% of the Jets’ offensive production last season.

Specifically, Decker finished with 80 catches for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns. Marshall finished with 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns. For the Jets to have sustained success, they’ll have to spread the wealth so to speak. Something head coach Todd Bowles spoke about in great detail down the stretch of last season.

He got it in spurts from wide receivers like Kenbrell Thompkins and Devin Smith sparingly. But the guy that has shown perhaps the most potential is that of wide receiver Quincy Enunwa.

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Enunwa was drafted by the Jets back in 2014, as a sixth round draft choice by former general manager John Idzik.

He’s got an interesting combination of weight and size (6’2, 225 pounds) and raw athleticism.

The Jets need someone to step up, while there is still hope for their former second round pick to shine in Smith, they need someone more consistent.

Enunwa can be that guy for the Jets, we saw it in flashes last season.

Enunwa made the active roster and contributed to the cause with 22 receptions for 315 yards, but didn’t find the end zone. That should change in a big way in 2016, Enunwa has been classified as a bit of a tweener.

Originally the intent by the coaching staff was for Enunwa to be a tight end, but that all changed when Jace Amaro went down. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has made his stance known that he wants bigger receivers in the lineup and that forced Jeremy Kerley out of the equation.

Enunwa is a physically imposing receiver who is a mismatch nightmare on smaller cornerbacks and is too quick for linebackers. But clearly there are some deficiencies in his game and that was painfully evident last season.

Enunwa was 21st in the league in drops, he registered five dropped passes, with a 47.8 target percentage, and a 10.9% pure drop percentage. These statistics are provided by Sporting Charts, of course stats don’t always tell the full story.

But when the Jets started to believe in him and gave him more opportunities, he got flustered in the moment. In the regular season finale loss to the Buffalo Bills, he dropped a key reception that would have given the Jets a first down in the red zone.

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We could go through every drop, but that’s unnecessary. What is necessary however is to say that despite the drop issues, Enunwa can be very good. The Jets’ offense is already potent and it’s time to continue to develop those young guys on the bottom of the roster towards key contributors this upcoming season.

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