Detroit Lions opponent preview: The New York Jets offense
By Ash Thompson
Quarterbacks
The New York Jets have made some solid moves in their quarterback room. Josh McCown is the ultimate mentor for young quarterbacks. He has lost his job to many young, highly drafted, quarterbacks over his career. It has rarely been because he was playing poorly. He knows the role and will vacate the starting position at some point during the year.
Sam Darnold is the highly drafted quarterback that will take that job, but it is not likely to be for the Jets week one trip to Ford Field. The best case scenario for the Lions would be that the Jets immediately put their third overall pick into the starting line up. Facing a rookie taking his first steps in the NFL would be a pleasant opening to the year for the new defensive scheme of the Lions.
The wildcard in this scenario is Teddy Bridgewater. This is not a veteran quarterback who is willing to take a back seat to the new kid. This is a quarterback looking to reignite his once red-hot career. Bridgewater once rode a dominant rushing attack and a very good defense as far as the NFC Championship game. He had the look of a middling NFL starter before he destroyed his knee before the 2016 season. His return to football at all was questioned until the moment it occurred.
The likely question mark for Lions fans regarding the Jets quarterback position is whether it will be McCown or Bridgewater under center. McCown is the option that is likely preferable, his ceiling is the lower of the two. He is not going to cost the Jets the game, but he isn’t going to win it for them either. Glover Quinn and the Lions secondary should be able to anticipate what McCown brings to the table.
Wide receivers
The Jets have a middling receiver group. There are no stars, but they have four solid targets to deliver the ball to. Jermaine Kearse joined the Jets in 2016 from the Seattle Seahawks. In his first season with the Jets, he set statistical career highs in receptions and yardage. There have been rumors that the Jets will move on from Kearse, but a looming suspension to last year’s other starting receiver, Robby Anderson, for a dangerous driving misdemeanor (105 MPH in a 45 MPH zone) makes it likely the Lions will face Kearse.
The number three and four wide receivers are question marks. Slot receiver Quincy Enunwa missed the entire 2017 season with a neck injury. He is participating in OTAs on a limited basis but is said to be on track for training camp. The Jets value his services enough to have tendered their former sixth-round pick at the second-round level as a restricted free agent. Enunwa had 58 catches for 857 yards for the Jets in 2016 when last he played. It is not unreasonable to question whether he will be all the way back or re-injured before week one. He is a stereotypical slot receiver who gets in and out of breaks quickly when healthy. The bigger Deshean Shead may have issues keeping up with a healthy Enunwa.
The team also added Terrelle Pryor to the mix. Pryor is coming off a show me deal with Washington in which he showed nothing. He is another big-bodied receiving threat for the Jets. Former Lions kick returner Andre Roberts is likely to take the fifth wide receiver position for the Jets as a special teams player. He could see the field if Anderson is suspended for the Lions game.
Tight Ends
Jordan Leggett tops the Jets tight end depth chart. He is a receiver first, to be sure. He did not appear in a single game during his 2017 rookie season. At 6’5″ and 258 lbs, he has the body to become a solid all-around tight end. His time at Clemson game no indication he will ever amount to much as a blocker.
The Jets also drafted one of my pre-draft favorites, Chris Herndon out of Miami. Herndon is a sleeper to take a large number of snaps for them. They will be trying to run the ball, and Herndon is a solid blocker. Certainly better than Leggett was the last time he actually played in a game.
The Jets also claimed Clive Walford off Waivers. As a third tight end, Walford offers some upside as a blocker, but his inability to catch the football limits how dangerous he is to the Lions.
Tight Ends have been a thorn in the side of the Lions defense historically, but the Jets do not offer up much of a threat there. They have size and some depth at wide receiver though. Nevin Lawson may split snaps to Deshawn Shead in the slot. Physically, Teez Tabor looks like a good bet to handle the work at corner on the outside in week one. Robby Anderson is the only dangerously fast receiver on the Jets roster, and even a one-game suspension takes him off the field vs. the Lions. The Lions head coach Matt Patricia is notorious for playing matchups in the secondary. Depth in the secondary is probably the Lions best trait as a team, which bodes well for them against the Jets.