New York Jets: Wide receiver depth could be a problem in 2019

The New York Jets have a very solid trio of receivers going into 2019. But their lack of depth at the position could prove costly if history repeats itself and injuries are sustained.

The New York Jets will enter the 2019 season boasting a much-improved collection of offensive skill players.

Offseason acquisitions to the likes of Le’Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder will help surround young quarterback Sam Darnold with an incredibly improved supporting cast.

However, while the Jets have a very solid trio of receivers at the top of their depth chart, they lack the depth needed to withstand an injury or two. And given that the Jets receivers don’t exactly have a prominent reputation as so-called iron men, this could turn into a real problem.

The starting trio of Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, and the aforementioned Crowder gives the Jets three receivers all with very different skill sets who can contribute in meaningful ways on offense.

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Anderson is the flashiest of the three having the kind of straight-line speed matched by very few in the game today. Working him on streaks and boundary routes is the best way to maximize his skill set.

Enunwa is the best contested-catch receiver who runs solid routes and is incredibly difficult to bring down with the ball in his hands. The Nebraska product likely has the strongest hands on the team and is also the most versatile being able to work both on the boundary and from the slot.

That leaves the newly-acquired Crowder who is your typical shifty, savvy slot receiver. His routes are sharp and he, much like Enunwa, can extend plays well after the catch.

But outside of them, the Jets have very little to offer at receiver.

The team signed longtime Chicago Bears special teams ace Josh Bellamy in the offseason. But just as his preamble might lead you to believe, he’s much more accomplished as a special teamer than he is as a receiver.

Bellamy impressed a bit with the second unit in the preseason, but it would be foolish to count on reliable production out of him as a full-time starter.

Outside of Bellamy, the only other receiver on the roster is projected punt returner Braxton Berrios. Berrios was picked up off waivers after the New England Patriots cut him with the hope that they could bring him back on their practice squad.

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And while Anderson only misses two games last season, he was banged up for a good portion of the year.

Relying on the health of all three of them is foolish on the part of the Jets and it could come back to bite them. Out of the combined 11 seasons that the trio has played, only five times has one of them played in a full 16-game season.

And when the inevitable unfortunately happens, the Jets will have little-to-no contingency planning in place.

New York will likely make use of players such as Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, and even Chris Herndon in the passing game to counteract this. But this can only get the team so far.

The Jets’ supporting cast is looking strong going into 2019, but they are an injury or two away from being right back to square one.

The New York Jets have a very solid trio of receivers going into 2019. But their lack of depth at the position could prove costly if history repeats itself and injuries are sustained.

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