New York Jets Player of the Day: WR Jerricho Cotchery

In this series, we’ll be highlighting a different player from the storied past of the New York Jets. Today, we take a look at wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.

A reliable possession receiver, Cotchery carved out a key role over his seven seasons with the Jets.

Cotchery was a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina State in the 2004 NFL draft, and though he played sparingly over his first two seasons in New York, he eventually developed into a quality starter. He appeared in 103 games for the Gang Green, making 65 starts over seven seasons.

The only 1,000-yard season of Cotchery’s 12-year NFL career came with the Jets, when he hauled in 82 passes for 1,130 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. He came close to breaking the 1,000-yard mark the previous season, catching 82 balls for 961 yards and six scores.

Cotchery’s 4,514 career receiving yards in a Jets uniform is a top-10 mark in franchise history (No. 9), as are his 358 receptions (No. 8). His 18 touchdown receptions rank 16th in team history.

A highly valued veteran, Cotchery left the Big Apple after seven seasons, spending the next three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers before finishing his NFL career with a two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. He tallied his single-season career-high in touchdown receptions with the Steelers in 2013, catching 10 scores at the age of 31.

There were certainly more flashy receivers with bigger numbers in Jets history, and he never made the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, but Cotchery was a solid addition to the team who easily outplayed his fourth-round draft slot. He’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of Jets fans everywhere.

What’s your favorite Jerricho Cotchery memory? Share your story in the comment section!