Positional Storylines: WR
Karl Dorrell's Unit, Bolstered by the Trade Acquisition of Brandon Marshall, Is Talented & Has Plenty of Depth
"Brandon's a workhorse," says Jets HC Todd Bowles of Brandon Marshall. "He has a great attitude, he has a great work ethic… he leads by example. We have a lot of young wideouts and they kind of gravitate towards him and he's a great mentor. He's been outstanding for us so far as far as coming in shape, doing the right things and getting everybody better."
In his first season with the Jets, Eric Decker led the team with 74 receptions for 962 yards and five touchdowns. In the last 10 Jets seasons, Decker's 2014 totals rank fourth in receptions, third in receiving yards & fifth in receptions of 25+ yards (eight in 2014).
When asked about his young players during an April season-ticket holder conference call, GM Mike Maccagnan mentioned Jeremy Kerley. "In particular, I do like Kerley a little bit," he said. "I scouted him coming out of college a while ago. I'm kind of excited to see him, seeing how he does going forward." In four pro seasons, Kerley has averaged 12.5 yards on his 166 receptions with 7 TDs.
"He has to understand there is a lot more knowledge for him to know in this offense, but we do like the package. That's the reason we drafted him. He's a tremendous talent," said WR coach Karl Dorrell of Devin Smith. "He has size, speed and quickness – things that I think are great assets for any young receiver to have and now we just have to get him ready to play."
Chris Owusu, a Stanford product, has the prototypical size and speed you want in a receiver. The 6'2", 200-pounder, vying to be the top kickoff return man in 2015, opened some eyes with his Week 17 performance last January in Miami. Owusu impressed again this spring and he'll look to ride that momentum into training camp.
T.J. Graham, who had a career-long 67-yard scoring grab last year vs. the Steelers, can stretch the field. He also was a significant contributor on special teams last season, recovering three fumbles. In 43 career games, Graham has averaged 13.5 yards on his 57 receptions.
Acquired in a draft weekend deal with the Texans, DeVier Posey had 22 catches in his first three pro seasons. "The goal for us was just making the position a little more competitive and he's a young player too, it's not as if he's an older veteran player," said GM Mike Maccagnan/former Texans college scouting director of the 25-year-old Posey.
A fourth-round pick in 2014 who was placed on injured reserve last August with a shoulder injury, Shaq Evans led UCLA in receptions in 2012 (60) and 2013 (47). WR coach Karl Dorrell likes the depth at the position and Evans will have to take advantage of his reps.
A member of the Jets practice squad in 2014, Enunwa totaled 115 receptions for 1,526 yards and 15 touchdowns at Nebraska. The 6'2", 225-pounder has a thick built and made some big-time catches up at Cortland last summer.
Saalim Hakim adds return experience and contributed on coverage units in 2014. Appearing in 16 games for the first time in his career, Hakim finished the season with seven special teams stops.
Walt Powell, who finished second all-time at Murray State with 208 receptions, saw some work as a returner for the Jets in 2014. A sixth-round pick of the Cardinals in 2014, Powell was claimed by the Green & White last September.
UDFA Jonathon Rumph was a tryout player at rookie minicamp and earned a contract. After playing JUCO ball at Holmes (Miss.), Rumph appeared in 10 games for Georgia while totaling 18 receptions.
