New York Jets: 4 Players that need to bounce back in 2017
2. Sheldon Richardson
A former first-round selection (13th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft, Richardson has had back-to-back disappointing campaigns for the Jets and has heard the trade rumors swirling for some time now. Whether he is still a Jet once the 2017 season commences in Buffalo on Sept. 10 remains to be seen but if he is still on the roster he needs to improve his performance dramatically moving forward.
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The University of Missouri product has missed six games over the last two seasons and reached the nadir of his career when he recorded a career-low 1.5 sacks in 2016. He’s still young at 26 years of age so Richardson is still in his prime years. However, the former Pro-Bowler has a lot to prove to the coaching staff and to himself about whether he can regain that Pro Bowl form of three years ago.
Richardson’s $8.1 million salary is fully guaranteed so he won’t be easy to trade coming off two down seasons. He is slated to be a free agent in 2018. Whether he is with Gang Green this coming season or not, Richardson knows that 2017 will be a critical year for him. He has much to prove on the gridiron.