2015 Fantasy Football Preview: New York Jets

2014 Review

Quarterback Geno Smith ranked 26th in fantasy points in 2014. He had no business being on anyone’s fantasy roster with his 13:13 touchdown to interception ratio, unless it in a deep two-quarterback league. Smith is entering his third season in the NFL and still makes a sketchy fantasy prospect moving forth.

Talk about not worth owning were the Jets’ running backs last season. At best, Chris Ivory made an acceptable flex some weeks. He tallied 821 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns ranking him 19th overall in fantasy points.

Chris Johnson’s one-year experiment with the Jets turned out to be a major bust for those who drafted him hoping for RB2 numbers. Averaging less than 10 rushing plays per game last year, Johnson totaled only 663 rushing yards and one lone rush score. Ranked 34th overall in fantasy points, Johnson spent most of the season sitting on the waivers, especially in smaller leagues.

New to the Jets also in 2014 was wide receiver Eric Decker who as predicted took quite the tumble in ranking compared to his elite days in Denver. Decker caught only 74 of his 114 intended targets for a total of 962 yards and five touchdowns. Ranking 28th overall in fantasy points, Decker made for a spotty fill-in flex some weeks.

Decker was the only semi-relevant fantasy receiving option on the Jets’ roster last season. Rookie tight end Jace Amaro made a few noteworthy plays totaling 345 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He was a desperation fantasy play at the most in 2014.

Veteran Additions

The highest profile veteran addition to the Jets for 2015 is wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall is coming from of off-season where injuries and lack of connection with former Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler impacted his fantasy value. In years’ past, Marshall was a slam-dunk WR1-2.

Working with the not-so-accurate Smith should be interesting for Marshall this year. Likely to slip to later draft rounds in 2015 due to an unproductive year and a change of quarterback, Marshall will hopefully boost the Jets’ offense. He has the ability to make some fantastic plays so if drafted late, Marshall may just surprise those who take a chance on him this season.

Running back Stevan Ridley was signed to the Jets during the offseason. Often injured, Ridley posted one star-season – 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while playing with New England in 2012.

Since then, Ridley played in a crowded running back committee and was not a relevant fantasy option much of that time due to his split carries.

For 2015, Ridley once again will find himself part of a team who uses multiple running backs, which clouds his fantasy value moving forward.

Third-year running back Zac Stacy also joined the Jets this offseason. Stacy had a mess of a fantasy season last year finding himself the odd man out in St. Louis after many people spent their first or second-round pick on him.

Disgruntled because the Rams selected top rookie prospect Todd Gurley, Stacy wanted out and was signed by the Jets. Unfortunately for Stacy, he does not hold much fantasy appeal in 2015 with Ivory and Ridley competing for carries.

NFL Draft

None.

Potential Breakout Star

I’m going out on a limb here saying Decker could have an improved fantasy season in 2015. With the addition of Marshall who will undoubtedly draw double coverage, Decker may find himself more open to catching passes. This is provided Smith can improve on his misfires. It would be nice to see him evolve into a reliable WR2/flex this season.

Potential Disappointment

All the Jets running backs should be avoided, or at least drafted in late rounds. Between Ivory, Ridley and Stacy, there will be a lot of mouths to feed in New York. Last year Ivory and Johnson totaled only 1,484 rushing yards and seven rushing scores. If the Jets go running back-by-committee this season, imagine these stats being divided three ways.

Look elsewhere than the Jets’ roster for your fantasy running backs this year.