Team Previews - New York Jets

Projected Starting Lineup

QB: Josh McCown RB: Isaiah Crowell WR: Robby Anderson WR: Jermaine Kearse WR: Quincy Enunwa TE: Jordan Leggett

LT: Kelvin Beachum LG: James Carpenter C: Spencer Long RG: Brian Winters RT: Brandon Shell

Jets Offensive Profile Under Todd Bowles 2015-2017 Pass Attempts Rank: 15th, 23rd, 25th 2015-2017 Rush Attempts Rank: 10th, 13th, 17th 2015-2017 Play Volume Rank: 6th, 24th, 26th 2015-2017 Yards Per Play Rank: 15th, 20th, 21st Unaccounted for Air Yards from 2017 (Rank): 927 (21st) Unaccounted for Carries from 2017 (Rank): 112 (18th)

Jeremy Bates average offensive production as an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL. (2 Seasons)

Passing: ATT COMP PCT YDS AVG LONG TD TD% INT INT% SACK YDSL RATE

582 355 61.6 4041 7 90 20 2.05 19 1.45 23 188 77

Rushing: ATT YDS AVG LONG 20+ TD FUM FUML 1DN

383 1643 4.2 55 10 14 6 4 92

Receiving: REC TAR YDS AVG TD LONG 20+ FUM FUML YAC 1DN

355 575 4041 11.1 20 90 47 4 4 1678 191

Quarterback-

After a solid year, Josh McCown looks to be in the drivers seat to start Week 1. The veteran QB will be looking over his shoulder though, as the Jets traded up to draft Sam Darnold No. 3 overall. Coming off of a season in which he threw for 2,926 and 18 touchdowns in just 13 games, McCown displayed that he can make players around him fantasy football options. The one thing you can look for when McCown is throwing the ball, is his propensity of dumping it off to his running backs in the passing game. Since 2007 McCown has completed 338 passes (22.1%) of his throws to running backs, which is the 5th highest percentage in the NFL. This bodes very well for whoever takes over the 3rd down role with the retirement of Matt Forte and the injury to Elijah McGuire, you would think B. Powell once again has fantasy value.

The Jet fanbase will be eagerly anticipating the Sam Darnold era in New York. The number 3 pick was rated as the best quarterback in the class by many. Darnold started two seasons for the Trojans, in which he went 20-4 completing 64.9% of his throws for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns. I am not nearly as high on Darnold as others, he needs to make the transition to a pro-style system and be better decision maker, if he wants to turn around this franchise. I would be a bigger fan of Darnold, if he was in a system that took more advantage of his athleticism ie (Doug Pederson/Andy Reid) but believe he will struggle under Bates. I would not expect this coaching staff to survive after this season, so Darnolds' success will be determined on the next coach of the New York Jets.

Wide Receiver-

The bright spot of this Jets team last year was my sleeper pick of 2017, Robby Anderson. He finished with 63 catches for 941 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, which had him as the 17th best wide receiver in fantasy last year. With most of Anderson's damage being done outside of the red-zone, he is a lock for touchdown regression. There is also a good chance that he gets suspended after several off the field issues during the off-season. While it is unlikely that he duplicates his numbers for last year, he should be a WR3 this season and targeted after the 9th round.

Another big receiver that the Jets will lean on will be Quincy Enunwa (6'2/223). He was forced to miss last season with neck surgery, after a solid year in 2016 (58/857/4). If Anderson is forced to miss time, Enunwa becomes the best option for the Jets and becomes a steal in the late rounds.

I do not see much value in J. Kearse, T. Pryor or A. Stewart, as this team has so many questions offensively. I hardly want the Jets second best option at wide receiver there is no chance I take the third. Tight End-

Another position not offering much value for the Jets is Tight End. I thought Jordan Leggett could make the transition from Clemson to the NFL, but a knee injury set him back as he missed all of last year. At 6'6/260 Leggett has the size to factor in the red zone, but outside of that he doesn't appear to be a factor this fantasy football season. They also acquired Clive Walford who could factor in, but after struggling in Oakland it would be difficult for the Hurricane star to breakout in New York. Running Back- This backfield was a complete mess in the spring, however after Matt Forte's retirement and the injury to Elijah McGuire it looks as though Isiah Crowell and my man Billy Powell will get the majority of the work. All you have to do is feed Bilal Powell the football and plays will be made (19 for 145 vs Chargers and 21 for 163 vs Jaguars) yet for some reason the coaching staff refuses to. Crowell lost all of his value in Cleveland last year with Duke Johnsons stealing all of his passing down work. The same looks to be true in New York as well as I would be stunned if he stayed on the field ahead of McGuire or Powell. He is not a very talented runner that has below average speed and lacks vision. With the McGuire injury, Powell now has PPR and (.5PPR) value but I do not see any value in Crowell as he will be touchdown dependent.

Elijah McGuire is regarded very highly by the Jets coaching staff and will no doubt take away any value from Bilal Powell when he returns from his foot injury in early October. I would expect McGuire to handle all passing down work and split the load with Powell or Crowell once he returns. He is someone I am looking to add on the waiver wire a few weeks before he is cleared to return especially in PPR leagues. 2018 Vegas Win Total The Jets’ Win Total opened at 6. The Jets have been one of the worst teams in football for what seems like the last three decades. This team really underachieved on defense last year as they finished 25th overall. I would expect the defense to be much better and with an improved offense they will be in more games this season. They do not get any favors in the schedule having to play the NFC North and AFC South but they do get the Dolphins and Bills twice apiece. I think Darnold takes over sooner rather than later this season and would expect the coaching staff to not survive.