Fantasy Football 2017: New York Jets outlook
In the lead up to the NFL Draft, we’ll be assessing the fantasy-relevant assets on every team. We’ll cover past performances and look ahead for 2017 potential. Can the Jets offer any fantasy value at all?
Josh McCown
The Jets become NFL team number eight for McCown, as he falls into another situation where he’s likely going to be a placeholder for a youngster. He’s been a very consistent fantasy performer over the last few years in Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Chicago, but not good enough as an NFL quarterback to hold down a lead role.
When playing, he’s a good streaming option, but it’s yet to be determined if he’s going to hold the starting role or the clipboard. There’s nothing to see here unless you’re in a 2QB or superflex league and he starts, in which case he should at least be rostered.
Matt Forte
In his first year after leaving Chicago, Forte had his lowest totals in rushing yards, yards-per-carry, receptions, receiving yards and fantasy points since 2008 (his rookie season). He wore down towards the end of the year, and turned 31 in December. Since Bilal Powell looked the more spritely back of the two, and the team could add another runner in the draft, we should be worried.
When veterans simply miss time through injury, it’s one thing. Declining in performance is another, and it’s not a wise move to be caught on the wrong side of it. Forte could very swiftly be beaten out by a younger back with more to give, so keep a close eye on how the team approaches the position in April to determine what to do with him.
Bilal Powell
Powell turned out to be a very usable fantasy option last year, accumulating 1,110 total yards and finishing as the 17th-best back on the season. However, 94.2 of his 199.0 total points (47.34 per cent) came in the final four games of the season when he was given the bulk of the carries over the hobbling Forte. He’s not going to be a feature back moving forward, but certainly holds value right now. If it’s just these two left in the backfield again, scoop up some shares.
Eric Decker
Quietly, Decker has been an outstanding fantasy asset for years, and before his 2016 shoulder injury had scored double digit PPR points in 28 of his last 33 games (and at least 11.7 in 18 of the last 19). He’s playing on an offense that doesn’t seem to have any hope at all, but might finally be a number one option.
I’m willing to bet, assuming a full recovery, that he bounces back in a big way and is the Jets’ top fantasy asset in 2017. Whether the team attacks receiver in the Draft or relies on their crop of youngsters, Decker is the receiver to own in New York.
Quincy Enunwa
Enunwa is one of the aforementioned youngsters on the outside, and after a slow start to his career, burst onto the scene as a tight end/wide receiver hybrid last season. He’s an athletic specimen (he ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds in 2014), but doesn’t have the complete game to be a top wideout and starter for your fantasy teams. He’s another flex option without too much upside.
The Best of the Rest
New York hired a new offensive coordinator in John Morton, who will have the tough task of turning around an attack that finished 30th in total points last year. Could they make a splash with Leonard Fournette at the sixth overall pick? Whether they do or not, they need to find a way to improve their current assets.
With Brandon Marshall moving on, the remaining Jets receivers outside of Decker and Enunwa are Robby Anderson, Jalin Marshall and Devin Smith. Anderson, a tall and slim 2016 undrafted free agent, showed promise at the end of the year but isn’t draftable in fantasy football. Marshall is a returner who’s suspended for the first four games of the season. That leaves Smith, the most intriguing of the three. He is a 2015 second round selection who’s missed most of his career through injury. If he’s back to health and we hear good things at camp, he could be a sleeper in deep leagues.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is the only noteworthy tight end in town, but the team could do with an upgrade there as well. Might they look to add OJ Howard? In a deep tight end class, I’m certain they will add a weapon.