New York Jets 2019 player profile: Chris Herndon, TE
New York Jets tight end Chris Herndon is coming off a promising rookie campaign last year. Here we take a look at his 2019 player profile.
What should New York Jets fans expect from tight end Chris Herndon in 2019, his second NFL season? The Miami product is not going to remind anyone of Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez or Rob Gronkowski but he put together a promising rookie campaign in 2018 as a viable redzone target for fellow rookie Sam Darnold.
Herndon recorded 39 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns for Gang Green and showed glimpses of being a solid, productive tight end moving forward. He still needs to improve his blocking skills on running downs but that’s not why the Jets drafted him in the fourth round last year. They selected him because they love his ceiling as a pass-catcher down the seam of the gridiron and in the redzone.
Let’s take a look at some of his rookie highlights:
The 6-4, 253-pounder pleaded guilty to DWI in January and may be facing a short suspension for the 2019 season. That is to be decided at a later date. With that being said, the highlights clearly show the upside that Herndon has and the connection he made with Darnold. That’s huge because these two should only get better with more experience.
Herndon has reliable hands with decent speed and he makes a very effective red zone target. The Norcross, GA native enjoyed the finest game of his rookie season in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, so he was coming on strong near the end of the 2018 campaign.
With the addition of rookie tight end Trevon Wesco as a blocking tight end, the Jets can use Herndon as a receiver in double tight end sets if they choose to trick the opposition on an obvious running play.
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The bottom line is that Herndon is a player on the rise. So is Darnold. They’ll both be counted on to help boost a sagging Gang Green offense that ranked 23rd in the NFL in scoring (20.8 points per game) last year. Quick prediction: Look for Herndon to finish the 2019 season with 55 receptions for 720 yards and six touchdowns as he takes the next step toward a potential Pro Bowl berth in the future.