Jeffrey Beall-Wikimedia Commons
Analysts have praised the New York Jets front office on the acquisition of Eric Decker, but he will not be the best receiver on the roster in 2014.
Jets’ General Manager, John Idzik has been busy making moves this Off-Season bringing in not one, not two, but three WRs in from this years’ Draft. However, the newly drafted WRs will need some fine-tuning in order to become top tier receivers in this league or even this football team. Rookies selected late in the Draft don’t tend to earn starting status until their second or third season. Not only does the politics of Draft position hurt their starter chances, there is another receiver who the Jets silently snuck onto their roster, which has previously shown flashes of greatness on his last squad. I believe the guy, when healthy to take the receiving corps reigns is Jacoby Ford.
Ford at 5’9”, 190lbs. has the proclivity to be a slot matchup nightmare. The former Clemson Tiger, is an electrifying runner, with great after the catch ability. I think he is a YAC (Yards After Catch) monster. Ford performs great on reverses, has a shiftiness about him, which enables him to elude defenders with ease. On top of that, the former Oakland Raider can stretch the field, fights in the air for the ball and had a knack for turning any small play into something that came from a highlight reel. Additionally Ford has exceptional Returner ability on Special Teams.
The reason I think Ford will surpass Decker and appear to be the teams’ number one target is because he can do more with his speed. We all know speed kills. Decker is a bigger build receiver, made for the outside, but lacks the speed to separate from defenders. Decker works hard but benefited greatly from having the greatest QB in the history of the game on the other end of his receptions. Yes Mr. Decker, you owe your 36 million dollar contract to Peyton Manning.
Rex Ryan is well aware of the problem, as he according to NewYorkJets.com’s Randy Lange, said “We have to play better at that position, there’s no doubt.”. If Ford can stay healthy, he can be the player the Jets need to set the tone for the Offense. Ford has had so many injuries keeping him from the field in the last three years, that the Raiders had to cut their losses. The 27-year-old also has a problem with ball security. He has had 10 fumbles since 2010. 4 of those 10 were in 2013 alone. This is a high-risk, high reward situation. The Jets are hoping to resurrect the career of this young talent with a fresh start in “Gang Green”.
I do not mean to discredit the talents of other guys in the receiving corps like Jeremy Kerley, but lets be real here; the receiving corps of 2013 was simply abysmal. Ford is looking to infuse new life into the 30th ranked receiving corps from 2013. Look for this talented sprite to cause a ruckus in the AFC East.
Jermaine Lockett is a writer for CouchRiderReport.net. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.