New York Jets: Evaluating tight end situation for 2015

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Mar 28, 2015

The New York Jets need every position group on offense to really be clicking on all cylinders come next season. Last year, the Jets were abysmal on offense with an incumbent situation at quarterback between Geno Smith and Michael Vick as they just didn’t bring any stability or consistency on offense. The Jets got decent production from their tight ends last year but they need to step it up big time in 2015.

Starter Jeff Cumberland had a somewhat of a decent season that saw him contribute 247 yards and three touchdowns. While these aren’t shattering numbers, the truth of the matter is the Jets don’t seem to utilize their tight ends to the best of their ability.

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Cumberland is a stable veteran but doesn’t really add anything extra on offense. He’s not that good at blocking but has his moments here and there of coming through on key third down conversions. Still though, he’s not anything to brag about offensively.

Backup rookie Jace Amaro had a decent first year in the pros that saw him contribute 345 yards and two touchdowns. I really love the potential Amaro has to really become the next big tight end of the NFL but his learning curve in understanding the playbook and assignments set him back tremendously in his rookie year.

With a season under his belt and the potential to really break out in his sophomore season, Amaro could be quite the surprise in 2015. He’s huge at 6’5″ and 265 pounds as with the continued coaching and training, he could actually be a better option to start than Cumberland next season.

Zach Sudfeld is dubbed “Baby Gronk” not only for this short time spent with the New England Patriots but also due to his size for a tight end. He’s 6’7″ and 260 pounds but is a bit raw and needs more work if he’s to use his massive size to give him an advantage over the rest.

On limited reps last season with the Jets, Sudfeld contributed 85 yards and zero touchdowns. Come this summer during positional battles, hopefully Sudfeld has a strong offseason and comes into training camps determined to prove his worth. If he can mimic what the real Gronk does, one can only imagine what he could do with the Jets if he emerges as a starting candidate.

To add another option to the mix, as per ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, the Jets recently acquired tight end Kellen Davis via free agency. I agree with what Cimini said that the Jets truly lacked a quality blocking tight end since it could help further enhance their running game and pass protection.

Oct 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Kellen Davis (87) dunks the ball over the goalpost as ge celebrates catching a pass for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After seeing some highlights of Davis, I’ve come to realize it’s a smart signing for what he brings to the table. He doesn’t really catch a ton of passes but of all the teams that employed him, he was mainly used him for his solid blocking skills. On dual tight end formations, having him as an extra blocker for power run plays could be quite effective come next season.

Overall with this tight end situation in my opinion, it’ll really come down to Cumberland against Amaro with the rest being used mainly for depth and situational purposes.

I think Cumberland has been decent at best with no signs of emerging as the next superstar tight end as he’s reliable but not truly anything special on offense.

I honestly believe if Amaro can master and execute his assignments with the Jets’ offensive playbook this time around, he will only get better and maybe even breakout.

He was an absolute beast in his college days at Texas Tech and if he can replicate that success during organized team activities and training camp, he should get a ton more reps to help the Jets add an incredible dimension to their offense in 2015.

Next: New York Jets: The NFL's No. 1 Defense In 2015?

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