New York Jets: Jordan Leggett key to Sam Darnold starting Week 1

There’s one player the New York Jets absolutely need to be 100 percent come Week 1 if Sam Darnold starts at quarterback: Jordan Leggett.

When you look at the all-time great quarterbacks, you generally see them paired with good tight ends. Roger Staubach had Mike Ditka. Tom Brady has Rob Gronkowski, and Troy Aikman had Jay Novacek. Much like the quarterback position, there’s been something lacking with the New York Jets at that position for decades.

When Jordan Leggett went down with an injury last season, and was subsequently put on injured reserve after maintenance was done on his knee, we lost out on seeing what he could do for this team. That said, the tight end position is crucial to the growth of Sam Darnold.

The one knock on Leggett coming out of college was his blocking. That may still be a work-in-progress in order for him to be a three-down player.

Say what you will about checking down to running backs out of the backfield. There’s something about having that security blanket in the middle of the field who’s reliable. When it comes to him being a reliable pass-catching threat, he’s just that.

According to Pro Football Focus, Leggett only dropped nine out of 109 catchable balls in his sophomore through senior seasons in Death Valley. He also gives them a threat after the catch from that position, having averaged 7.4 yards after the catch.

If Leggett can prove to be a better blocker, he will have the tools to be a three-down player, and that’s what Darnold would need from that position.

Having both Quincy Enunwa — from the slot — and Leggett over the middle will be key to when Darnold makes his debut for Gang Green in 2018. The earlier Leggett can get in games regularly, the earlier we see Darnold. So, basically the beginning of Darnold’s career hinges on the health of Jordan Leggett.