Fantasy Football: Top 5 players on New York Jets to target

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Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into Fantasy Football season, keep an eye on these players of the New York Jets that are poised to deliver this upcoming season.

Every year in all my fantasy football leagues, I save two slots on my roster for the New York Jets. Every year, I draft the defense. It’s an automatic most years since for the most part, they deliver.

In each of the last two years, that allotment has increased. Who will I be drafting? Who should you be drafting when it comes to the most productive players on the Jets?

Don’t worry as without further ado, here are the top five players you should be targeting in your fantasy drafts that wear the green and white.

Next: 5. Whoever is under center

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) warmup for their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Whoever is under center

Seriously.

If quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick hadn’t imploded in Week 17 last year, he would have likely broken 4,000 yards passing on the year and, perhaps, 32 or 33 touchdowns on the season.

Even if quarterback Geno Smith starts and doesn’t have the career year that Fitzpatrick did, he will definitely be worthy of a bench spot and possibly a Bye week start. To guess at a number, let’s say 3,500 yards and 23 total touchdowns. Maybe generous, but –hey – I’m a fan of what he’s capable of.

However, if (and when?) Fitzpatrick comes back, it’s not out of the realm of fantasy possibility that he could become a top ten fantasy quarterback.

Next: 4. Keep an eye on this tight end

Oct 12, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets tight end Jace Amaro (88) scores a touchdown defended by Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jace Amaro

Wait. The Jets have a tight end? Yes. Yes, they do. Many will forget when Amaro caught 10 passes against the Denver Broncos, mainly because that was over almost two years ago.

That was his rookie year and with a different offensive coordinator. Though he missed all of 2015 due to injury, Amaro is primed for a great year, playing fourth fiddle to Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Matt Forte.

Expect Amaro to have a fantasy season to the tune of an 800+ yards and six touchdowns which isn’t that far fetched. Not stud tight end material, but a better prospect than Jason Witten or Antonio Gates, dare I say.

Next: 3. One incredible wide receiver

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a game winning touchdown pass from New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) (not shown) during overtime at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

3. Eric Decker

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall said that he thought Decker was a product of quarterback Peyton Manning. On the surface, it’s easy to see why one would think that. However, many people forget that he had an eight touchdown year in 2011, with quarterback Tim Tebow throwing him the football.

His best years have been when he’s on the other side of the field from a Marshall or Demaryius Thomas, and this year should be one of his best ever.

Between Marshall, Quincy Enunwa, Devin Smith, Charone Peake and Jalin Marshall, there’s no reason why Decker shouldn’t improve on his play from last year. His floor should be around a 900+ yard, six to seven touchdown year.

Next: 2. A running back about to dominate in his new turf

May 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) watches Matt Forte run with the ball during OTA at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

2. Matt Forte

Honestly, this is kind of a no-brainer. When a running back makes his home on one team and market for many years, a chip on the shoulder occurs when they don’t want you back. Such is the case with Forte as he should do some serious damage on his new team in 2016.

Forte had a “down” year with the Chicago Bears in 2015 (only 1,287 total yards and seven total touchdowns in 13 games), but the likelihood of a bounce back with the Jets is a good bet.

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey loves pass-catching running backs and now he has one of the best ever in his arsenal. Expect to see him showcase the unique skill-set of Forte on a daily basis either on the ground or through the air.

A 1,400 yard total year isn’t just likely, but almost a certainty. Make sure to draft Forte in the middle rounds of your draft as he could turn into a major steal as the season transpires.

Next: 1. On his way towards another huge season

Nov 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a touchdown pass from New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brandon Marshall

When the Jets traded for Marshall, I thought he might have been over the hill. Nobody saw a 15 touchdown, 1,500 + yard season for him, even with the current uncertainty at the quarterback situation with the Jets, he should still continue his momentum.

There could be a drop off for Marshall, stemming mainly from having to possibly adjust to a new quarterback as well as the likelihood of teams implementing more double teams.

must read: Top 5 individual performances of all-time for the Jets

But predicting a 1,200+ yard, 10 touchdown season isn’t too far fetched, especially with the Todd Bowles diet in full effect. During the offseason, Marshall has been on this special diet to shed some weight to become even faster. He’s so far been sticking to it and if it helps make him a speedier threat, his fantasy football value could be huge this upcoming season.