NY Jets WR Xavier Gipson has a golden opportunity in Week 9

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and the NY Jets did not add a wide receiver as some expected. Coming into the season, wide receiver depth was seen as a strength for the Jets. They had Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Corey Davis, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb. That is a solid five. 

That did not last long, however, as Corey Davis surprisingly retired before the season, and Mecole Hardman was traded to the Chiefs after not being used much.

For most of the season, the starting receivers have been Wilson, Lazard, and Cobb. That changed last week and should be for the rest of the season as well.

Xavier Gipson could start for the NY Jets again in Week 9

One of the reasons Hardman was not on the field much was because undrafted free agent Xavier Gipson took over his expected role. Gipson was the kick and punt returner and was also getting the call on jet sweeps and gadget plays on offense.

Last week, however, Cobb was seemingly a healthy scratch, and it seemed like Gipson was set to take his place before an ankle injury. He would eventually come back into the game but was only in on 12 offensive snaps, which was still a season-high for him despite missing time with the injury. 

The Jets should keep increasing Gipson’s role, especially after not getting a receiver at the trade deadline. Garrett Wilson has been fantastic this year, but both Lazard and Cobb have had issues separating and with drops.

Gipson has the speed and explosiveness needed to provide the offense a spark, we saw this in the fourth preseason game against the Giants.

He was target 10 times and had seven catches for 79 yards, with 71 of them coming after the catch. This was only a preseason game, but there were flashes of the player Gipson could potentially be, a player the Jets offense could use right about now.

In Week 9, the Jets take on the Charges at home. The Charges have allowed the third most passing yards of any team in the NFL and are traveling across the country to face the Jets. This is the prime time for the Jets offense to put it all together, and Gipson could be a big help in doing that.