New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Target: Keke Coutee

The New York Jets need a slot presence and a player who can be a returner, and Keke Coutee stands out in both areas in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The NFL is transitioning to a base 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) league. So, drafting a slot receiver has become very important. The New York Jets are in need of a slot receiver, and they also need a guy who can return punts and kickoffs. Keke Coutee is that guy.

Coutee’s frame, speed, and athletic ability makes his best home in the NFL the slot. He can be a deep and intermediate threat from the slot. According to Pro Football Focus Elite, he was a deep threat at Texas Tech, with nine catches, a 0 percent drop rate, four touchdowns, and 444 yards on 13 targets on ball 20 or more yards in the air.

In terms of slot production, he was great too. He was targeted 92 times, caught 72 passes, 1,088 yards, nine touchdowns and a drop rate of 8.9 percent while playing the slot in 93.7 percent of the Red Raiders snaps in the slot.

His speed and athleticism also lend him to be a good return option for the Jets. In 2017 he made a huge impact in the Texas Tech kickoff return game. He averaged 31.5 yards per kickoff return and scored a touchdown. He doesn’t have experience returning punts, but he’s got the speed and cutting ability to make a splash as a punt returner.

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The Jets need some depth for the slot, especially since Jalin Marshall has only played in 10 games in two seasons. Coutee provides the receiving talent they though Marshall could bring them, and if Marshall comes back and can provide them with even a little of what they thought he could that would be a plus. Coutee can provide immediate impact to the Jets offense and special team, and is a must target on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.