New York Jets: Robby Anderson will slide down depth chart

The New York Jets have a franchise quarterback and depth at the receiver, but Robby Anderson will likely slide down the depth chart due to others featuring skill that better suit Sam Darnold.

Robby Anderson may not be the best receiver on the New York Jets as many are touting him to be this offseason. Let’s forget about Robby Anderson’s off the field antics for a moment and focus on the field. While he did show some statistical improvements from 2016 last season, it could’ve been a lot better (even factoring in that Bryce Petty was their quarterback to end the season).

Anderson finished with some good overall numbers in 2017. He had 63 receptions, 941 yards, and seven touchdowns, which was an improvement from 2016, but when you look deeper at the numbers a lot sticks out.

All seven touchdowns were when the ball traveled 20 or more yards in the air (per Pro Football Focus – subscription required). That’s a good thing, but when you look at other stats, it shows something. Maybe he needs to get stronger or he’s not quick enough to break away,

When you compare that to Quincy Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor — the last time they both play a healthy season — they combined for eight touchdowns. Seven of the eight touchdowns came when the ball traveled less than 20 yards in the air.

Both Pryor and Enunwa showed what they can do against the Giants. As Michael Nania tweeted Enunwa showed us he can get open despite double coverage Also, as Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut tweeted, Pryor showed everything in one touchdown pass.

Sure, Anderson is a deep threat, but Pryor and Enunwa provide the Jets with something the Anderson doesn’t. Their combination of size and speed will provide the Jets with more run after catch opportunities, and that’s key in the West Coast Offense.

It would be very similar to what Jerry Rice gave the 49ers in his prime. His size and strength allowed him to get open, and him being open allowed for more catch and run chances.

It’s nice to have a deep threat like Anderson to provide a guy who can be a threat to take the top off the defense on any give play. However, having receivers who can do many things will bump Anderson down the roster. He will get his fair share of catches, but it will likely not be as many as people think. In the end, it’s not always about the big bomb down the field, but a variety of ways to get the ball down the field, and Enunwa and Pryor do that better than Anderson.