Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) runs back the second half kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Percy Harvin is an incredible talent who has failed to put up incredible numbers since being sent to the Seattle Seahawks. Although many fantasy owners may be lamenting the fact that Percy Harvin is “stuck” on the New York Jets after his trade from Seattle, they should be rejoicing as Harvin is an ideal fit for the Jets. He may have not set the world on fire with all the rain in Seattle, but here are three reasons he could regain some of that luster he had built up after his Super Bowl performance.
1. Percy Harvin Fits Geno Smith’s Skill-Set Perfectly
Geno Smith was very successful as a quarterback for West Virginia. The reason he was so successful is that he took advantage of shorter routes where his receivers were allowed to make plays after the catch. That pretty much describes Harvin’s stengths perfectly. He is not a great route runner, but he is incredible at making people miss with the ball in his hands. Harvin is basically a stronger version of Tavon Austin, so Geno Smith should be ecstatic with his addition. It now becomes a make-or-break time for Smith as if he cannot improve with Percy Harvin at his disposal, the Jets are pretty much guaranteed to be pursuing a quarterback early on in the 2015 NFL Draft.
2. The Jets Have Great Complementary Pieces
Most people would agree that the Jets do not have great offensive weapons to pair with Percy Harvin. Ideally, they would have a dominant run game where teams had to stack the box or a true #1 receiver who could stretch the field leaving room underneath. The Jets do not have either of those things, but even Percy Harvin understands the pieces they do have complement him very well.
Eric Decker is a big wide receiver who the Jets can line up outside and have him be a threat to block or catch a ball down field. Jace Amaro is a player who has similar traits, but as a tight end that you can split out wide. If you put those guys in a trips formation with Percy Harvin, that is a very dangerous alignment that gives Geno Smith a great chance to succeed.
3. Rex Ryan Will Want To Play With His New Toy
The Jets are 1-6, so they literally have nothing to lose this year. Rex Ryan has a giant ego, and he loves to prove people wrong. Once somebody gives up on a player, that player becomes that much more interesting to Rex Ryan. I bet Rex Ryan heard that Percy Harvin was not fitting in and kept fighting teammates and immediately made General Manager, John Idzik, up his offer to get Harvin. Rex Ryan will want his team to fully utilize Percy Harvin, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that it will be a great fit.