NY Jets: Vyncint Smith could be set for a breakout season

NY Jets wide receiver Vyncint Smith has the potential to become a breakout player in 2020.

The NY Jets‘ current wide receiving corps was recently ranked 28th in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus preseason rankings. The wide receiver position is arguably the weakest unit on the team and is one of the biggest question marks going into the 2020 season.

Even after drafting Denzel Mims with the 59th pick in the draft and signing Breshad Perriman in the offseason, the Jets receiving corps is still a big concern.

Other than Jamison Crowder, the Jets have a lot of depth at wide receiver but a lot of the receivers on the depth chart are unproven commodities.

With a lot of uncertainty, this is the time for some of the wideouts who are low on the depth chart and are trying to make the 55-man roster to step up and earn their spot.

Third-year wide receiver Vyncint Smith is one of those guys trying to make a name for himself in the NFL. The Jets signed the German-born wideout off the Houston Texans’ practice squad last September and he would appear in 13 games for the team in 2019.

The NY Jets got a glimpse of what Vyncint Smith was capable of last season.

In those 13 games, Smith had 17 receptions for a total of 225 yards and a rushing touchdown that he scored in his debut game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith has a lot of potential and has the speed and athleticism to be a big-play wide receiver in the NFL.

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In Weeks 12 through 17, Smith caught 13 of his 20 targets for 190 yards and nine first downs. Smith was on the field for 71 percent of Sam Darnold‘s 138 dropbacks from Weeks 14 to 17.

Head coach Adam Gase utilized the former undrafted wideout out of Limestone College a lot more in the closing weeks of last season, primarily because of injuries at the position, as fans got an extended look at what Smith was made of.

Smith showed off his speed and athletism last season when he broke off a 37-yard reception against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 and averaged 17.3 yards per game in the 2019 season.

If he can continue to be productive for the Jets offense in 2020, Smith has a chance to be a solid third or fourth option for Sam Darnold in the offense.

With a lot of uncertainty pertaining to the Jets’ wide receiving corps, a diamond in the rough like Vyncint Smith can be a reliable contributor for Darnold and the Jets this season