New York Jets: Top 5 Personnel Needs
By Robby Sabo
3. A Deep Threat
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley make up a very solid wide receiving corps.
Marshall coming over from the Chicago Bears was a low-risk, high-reward proposition that could do very little damage to the organization should something go awry. Decker still has at least two seasons of very solid play ahead of him.
Furthermore, Kerley is one of the more underappreciated slot guys in the game. When he’s out of a position as a starter (like he’s been the past couple of seasons), he’s not as effective.
Throw in youngster Jace Amaro and the Jets suddenly feature some weapons.
The key to these weapons though is “balance.”
While bringing in Marshall compliments the entire group, and was worth the addition, he doesn’t compliment this group perfectly. Rather a guy who could stretch the field would be much more of a fit opposite Decker.
Actually, Marshall and Decker are quite similar pass catchers. Both guys have size, box-out ability and can go up and get the ball (Marshall especially). In a perfect world you’d want a vertical threat opposite your possession guy.
Some might think Kerley fits the bill as a deep threat. No chance.
Kerley is a fantastic underneath elusive prototype, but he doesn’t have that top-end speed needed to stretch the safeties deep.
A deep threat will be huge as the fourth or fifth option in this offense come 2015.
Next: The Missing Ingredient