NY Jets: Would Donte Moncrief actually improve the receiving corps?

The NY Jets reportedly brought veteran wide receiver Donte Moncrief in for a tryout.

The NY Jets are desperate for wide receiver help at the moment following multiple injuries and they reportedly brought in veteran wideout Donte Moncrief for a tryout on Wednesday to explore alleviating their concerns.

Injuries to Denzel Mims and Vyncint Smith — the latter more severe than the former — have left an already thin receiving corps in dire need of additional depth.

The Jets brought in fellow veteran Chris Hogan earlier in the week and promptly signed him giving the team a little more insurance. But their interest in Moncrief indicates that they still don’t feel comfortable with their current group.

With Mims and Smith out, Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder have been left to hold down a position that features little else behind them. Former undrafted free agent Jeff Smith — a player who’s played in one career game — has been running with the first-team offense.

The Jets are right to search for additional help. But could Moncrief be the help that they’re searching for?

Could Donte Moncrief help out a struggling NY Jets’ receiving corps?

A third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Moncrief spent the first four years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts where he developed into a pretty capable deep-threat.

His best season came in 2015 when he started 10 games and finished with 64 catches for 733 yards and six touchdowns. After leaving Indianapolis, he spent a year in Jacksonville as a starter before failing to do much of anything last season.

Moncrief played in five games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season hauling in just four catches for 18 yards before he was released in November dispute signing a two-year contract in the offseason.

A brief stint in Carolina resulted in no offensive stats and he’s been out of work since being released in early December.

Moncrief has good speed, but really struggled to create separation with the Steelers last season. Moreover, drops were a huge concern and he quickly lost his role in the offense in favor of younger, more productive players.

Would Moncrief provide a boost to the Jets’ receiving corps? Probably, but likely not a very significant one. Still, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to sign him and have him compete for a depth receiver role on the team.

Either way, don’t be surprised if the Jets add another veteran receiver — be it Moncrief or someone else — before the start of the season.