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5 best training camp battles for Jets in 2019

By William Schneiderhan

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JUNE 04: Head Coach Adam Gase of the New York Jets coaching drills during mandatory minicamp at The Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 4, 2019 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JUNE 04: Head Coach Adam Gase of the New York Jets coaching drills during mandatory minicamp at The Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 4, 2019 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: Andre Roberts #19 of the New York Jets returns the ball against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: Andre Roberts #19 of the New York Jets returns the ball against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 23, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

5. Return man

Having a game-breaking return specialist is no small aspect of a team. Often overlooked by fans, having such a player shrinks the field for the offense and offers a dynamic that not too many teams have in today’s game.

In recent years, special teams have been one of the worst parts of many Jets teams. Last season that was not the case, specifically because of Andre Roberts.

Roberts made the Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro as a returner last season. He had 324 punt return yards to go with 1,174 kick return yards, as well as one kick and punt return touchdown apiece.

However, Roberts has since high stepped his way up to Buffalo to join the divisional rival Bills. Now, Trenton Cannon, Greg Dortch, Quadree Henderson and perhaps even Jamison Crowder and Ty Montgomery will fight for the vacancy left by Roberts.

It feels unlikely Crowder will have a real stake in the matter as he hasn’t returned a kick since 2015, and last season he had only two punt returns all year. Montgomery has returned kicks before, but he also feels like a long shot.

Rather, this job appears be left for Cannon, Dortch, Henderson and any late entries into the race.

Cannon was drafted in 2018 to be a big-play return man, but he fell out of favor and only had one kick return during the regular season. Henderson, a Giant in 2018, had 68 punt return yards and 112 kick return yards.

Dortch may have the upper hand as of right now. He was explosive as a receiver at Wake Forest, where he had over 1,000 yards receiving and 276 punt return yards with two scores to go with 376 kick return yards as a sophomore in 2018.

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