New York Jets: Stock up, stock down heading into Week 5
The New York Jets are 1-3 and sinking fast. Here we take a look at whose stock is rising or falling heading into Week 5.
The New York Jets are floundering right now. They’ve hit the iceberg and are sinking like the Titanic. At 1-3, they face a critical three-game home stand against Denver, Indianapolis and Minnesota coming up.
If they don’t win at least two of those three contests, Gang Green can easily be staring at a 4-12 or 5-11 campaign for 2018.
Let’s take a look at specific Jets players (and a coach) whose stock is either up or down heading into Sunday’s matchup at MetLife Stadium against the Broncos. Fair warning — this is essentially a bear market.
Stock Up
Leonard Williams/Henry Anderson: There is not much to choose from here, but give kudos to both these defensive linemen for their recent play. Williams finally recorded his first sack of the season against Jacksonville while Anderson added another as well, giving him 2.5 for the season. Anderson was a fine pickup by general manager Mike Maccagnan.
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The 6-6, 301-pounder has a quick burst and has blocked several passes this season with his long arms. He’s able to disrupt throwing lanes for quarterbacks, as he did with Blake Bortles last Sunday. He’s an underrated player.
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Jordan Leggett: After missing all of 2017 with a knee injury, the Clemson product finally made a contribution last Sunday with a two-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold, New York’s lone touchdown of the day.
Leggett is not going to remind anyone of Travis Kelce, but if he can provide Darnold with a security blanket over the middle and in the red zone then that will aid in the rookie signal-caller’s development. The Jets are crying out for a tight end to step up and produce. We’ll see if Leggett is that man.
Stock Down
Todd Bowles: Full disclosure, I have never been a big fan of the Jets head coach. His team came out flat as a pancake for the Jaguars and that is simply inexcusable. He made no adjustments when Baker Mayfield of the Browns entered the game in Week 4 and he was totally clueless in stopping Blake Bortles of all people last Sunday. Come on now — 388 passing yards? Give me a break. Jacksonville’s wide receivers destroyed Gang Green on crossing routes all day long.
Under Bowles, the Jets always seem unprepared. They always commit dumb penalties. They don’t seem inspired by him. He’s not the right person to develop Darnold as well. It’s time for Bowles to go after the 2018 campaign is over.
Isaiah Crowell: What has happened to this guy? Four carries for zero yards against Jacksonville? That is totally unacceptable. The five-year NFL veteran is averaging 4.1 yards per tote this season, but he needs to be more active in the passing game (five catches in four games). Gang Green signed Crowell to a free agent contract to be the number one running back and so far Bilal Powell has looked much better overall.
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Trumaine Johnson: The entire Jets secondary played horribly against the Jaguars but Johnson’s performance was truly egregious. The veteran cornerback was burnt like a stale piece of toast against Donte Moncrief last Sunday on a 67-yard TD reception in Jacksonville. Maccagnan inked Johnson to a whopping $72 million pact in March to be a shutdown press corner and so far that signing has not paid dividends. Johnson looks old and slow, not a good combination by any means.