The Jets have several concerns heading into the 2020 season. The chances of completing the season, amid a global pandemic, are 50/50 at best. Meanwhile, the concerns on the field are legitimate.
Among the concerns for the Jets is their passing game. Robbie Anderson has moved on, as a free agent, to the Carolina Panthers. Anderson was the playmaker that could stretch an opposing team’s defense.
With Anderson gone, who’s the home run hitter for this group? Which player can emerge as the X-Factor?
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder sees a potential game changer on the offense, he’s just lines up at a different position on the field.
“I think the major X-factor is having Chris Herndon back at tight end,” said Crowder. “I think he’ll have a huge impact. When I was in Washington, we had a really good tight end in Jordan Reed. I’ve seen some of those traits in Chris Herndon.”
Reed was regarded as one of the best receiving tight ends in football during the span Crowder played alongside him in Washington, 2015-18. He was everything teams look for in a tight end with elite receiving skills.
The tight end position has evolved over the years. It’s no longer just being able to run block or line up as an extra set of hands on offense. George Kittle and Travis Kelce are examples for how much of a difference having an elite receiving tight end can help lift a team towards championship aspirations.
Herndon has the potential to be at least as good as Jordan Reed was before injuries sidetracked his career. He finished second on the Jets with 39 receptions, 502 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2018.
“He’s a bigger guy who can move like a smaller guy,” Crowder added. He has really good hands, he’s good after the catch and he’s somebody who safeties have to try and cover and have to account for. He helps open the middle of the field for guys like myself and running routes that come across the middle. Him being out there and being the guy that he is, he’ll open it up for everybody else.”
Crowder, the Jets’ slot receiver, stepped up last season with many of the attributes he pointed out in evaluating Herndon. Now, the Jets have another opportunity to put both on the field at the same time. That’s big for Crowder, big for Herndon, and big for starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
In training camp, rookie Denzel Mims has big-play potential but is tending to a hamstring issue. Vyncint Smith is dealing with a core injury. Herndon producing as he did in his rookie season is imperative for this team.
