Fantasy Football 2019 Team Previews 2019: New York Jets
New York Jets
Must Owns
Le’Veon Bell, RB (ADP: 8): Bell may have missed 2018, but he’s about as safe and must-own as you’ll find in fantasy. Prior to missing last year, Bell was a perennial No. 1 overall pick, or at worst Top 3. He’s no longer in the potent Pittsburgh offense, so it’s fair to expect a little drop off from his peak numbers, but he is still an elite dual threat running back with basically no competition for work in his backfield. The Jets paid Bell handsomely, and it is to be the focal point of new head coach Adam Gase’s offense while QB Sam Darnold grows into being a franchise cornerstone. Bell might see his yardage numbers decrease some, but his TD numbers will be there, as will his touches and receptions.
Robby Anderson, WR (ADP: 70): Anderson has generated a lot of buzz for a guy who has never topped 1,000 receiving yards, but there’s good reason for optimism. Darnold’s close to the 2018 campaign was a serious positive for Jets pass-catchers, as was Anderson’s 15-yard per catch average. Anderson is one of the most explosive receivers in football, and he’s targeted like a No. 1; had he played a full 16-game slate he would’ve eclipsed the 100-target mark for the second consecutive season. Anderson scored in three straight weeks (Weeks 11-13) toward the end of the season, topping 75 yards in each game. With his chemistry with Darnold established, and his ability to show consistency despite the depth of many of his targets, he has the upside to break into the upper echelon of fantasy receivers.
Fantasy Relevant
None
Handcuff(s)
Ty Montgomery, RB (ADP: 206): Montgomery could have significant value in the event Bell misses a long stretch of games, because he’s an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield. He has also averaged a shade under five yards per carry for his career, and is mainly competing with longtime gatekeeper Bilal Powell for backup duty. Even if Bell gets injured, it’s unlikely Montgomery will get a workhorse share of carries. Still, because he’ll get all passing down work he’d be the Jets’ back to own. There’s no need to draft him now, but spend a bit on him should a Bell injury occur.
Deep Sleepers
Sam Darnold, QB (ADP: 179): Darnold looked very much like a rookie for much of 2018, throwing a bunch of picks and fumbling too without big yardage to back it up. He was simultaneously unflappable through all those errors, and legitimately sharp after a dreadful Week 10 meltdown. He shined most in back-to-back losses to the Texans and Packers, in which he threw five touchdowns, zero interceptions and averaged almost 300 yards. If that Darnold is the guy under center for the Jets in Week 1, he will be a fantasy relevant option. As it stands, he’s a high-end streamer in the right matchups, and a high-upside play to pair with a Philip Rivers type.
Jamison Crowder, WR (ADP: 167): Crowder was a big letdown in 2018, a season in which many thought he might step up and be a No. 1 target for the Redskins. Injuries derailed him, as did a decimated offensive line and QB situation in Washington, and let the Jets pick him up for cheap. With an improving Darnold running the show, this could be an opportunity for Crowder to return to form. Crowder, primarily a slot receiver, had become bankable for a catch total in the mid-60s, 750-850 yards, with some touchdown upside (7 TDs in 2016). If he can stay healthy, he will have a great chance to return to that, if not exceed it should Darnold break out. I think this ADP sells Crowder short, because he could potentially lead the Jets in receptions.
Chris Herndon, TE (ADP: 208): Herndon is a talented tight end who flashed a bunch last season and developed an obvious rapport with Darnold amid a weak receiving corps. Unfortunately, he’s undraftable at this time because of his four-game suspension to open the season. Keep Herndon in the back of your mind as a cheap free agent pickup; those who decide not to spend big at TE may try to piece it together until Herndon is reinstated, and potentially use him as a weekly option. He has that upside, although his target share is due to erode some with Crowder in the picture.
Quincy Enunwa, WR (ADP: 245): Injuries hurt Enunwa last season, limiting him to 38 catches, 449 yards and one touchdown after a really strong start to the season. Enunwa is already battling some injuries in camp, and while he’s expected to be ready for the season, Crowder is probably going to eat up his looks in the slot. Enunwa has the size to move outside, and he’s always been someone the Jets move around, but he’s probably the fourth option now in this offense, and the Jets are simply unlikely to support more than three fantasy-relevant players. At this point, I’d bet on Crowder before Enunwa, so leave him on the wire until further notice.