New York Jets: Can Quincy Enunwa make an impact in 2018?
New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa is working his way back from neck surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season. Can he make an impact in 2018?
This is a very important upcoming season for Quincy Enunwa. The most vital one of his career. The New York Jets wide receiver is recovering from neck surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2017 campaign. If he can make a full comeback it will provide a significant boost to a wide receiving corps that could use all the dynamic playmakers it can get.
The University of Nebraska product enjoyed a breakout season in 2016 when he recorded 58 receptions for 857 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 14.8 yards per grab in his second full campaign. His catch percentage increased eight percent from the previous year to 55.2 percent. The 6-2, 225-pounder seemed primed for his first 1,000-yard season until his neck injury (bulging disk) and subsequent surgery knocked him out during training camp.
The Jets hold their initial organized team activity (OTA) on May 22. Enunwa hopes to be a participant via NJ.com:
"“I think I’ll be able to go,” he said. “I think we’ll be smart about it. I think I’m going to go out there and do what I need to do. I’ve been able to run for a long time. It hasn’t really been a hindrance. I don’t have medical knowledge, but I feel like this injury compared to a knee is a little bit easier to come back from.”"
New York certainly hopes so. Gang Green needs Enunwa to be an impactful performer. Their depth chart consists of Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, ArDarius Stewart, Chad Hansen, Charone Peake and Enunwa. Questions are abound with that group.
Anderson has had legal issues and could potentially face an NFL-imposed suspension. Pryor is coming off a horrible season with the Washington Redskins in which he recorded just 20 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown. He was the free agent bust of the year. Pryor is going to be 29 this coming season and has so much to prove.
Stewart and Hansen were non-factors as rookies last year. If Enunwa can return to his 2016 form, it would provide an enormous boost to a struggling Jets offense that ranked 24th in scoring last year.
The Jets run the West Coast Offense which is based on their receivers gaining yards after the catch (YAC). Enunwa fits that profile well by utilizing his size and strength to break tackles. He is most effective in the slot and is especially potent in the middle of the gridiron. Enunwa also has the speed necessary to be flanked out wide if need be. He has the versatility to line up at tight end on occasion as well.
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Recovery from a neck injury can be precarious. Enunwa will have to be monitored closely. He hasn’t taken a hard hit yet. He’ll eventually have to clear that hurdle. So far, so good though. Enunwa is going to be 26 years old on opening day so he is still in his prime. If he can make a full comeback, the Jets will have a top-notch weapon for Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Darnold to throw to.
How sweet would that be?