New York Jets Training Camp Preview: Tight End

As July comes near an end, NFL football moves closer and closer. In the coming days, NFL training camps will begin as teams will begin preparing for the 2015 season. For teams like the New York Jets, training camp will be extremely important as they have a new regime in place with Todd Bowles replacing Rex Ryan as head coach. The Jets are also starting to get some expectations, as they made some big upgrades to their roster, adding weapons offensively and bringing back some familiar faces on the defensive side of the ball. All of this has caused some optimism for Gang Green, making them a team to keep an eye on throughout training camp.

Also On Empire Writes Back: Who Is The Best Quarterback In Franchise History?

While there may not be many training camp battles per say, there are still plenty of things to keep an eye on. Here at Empire Writes Back we have you covered, as we will give a position by position, or unit by unit, preview leading up to training camp beginning July 29th in Florham Park, New Jersey. The third position we will be taking a look at will be tight end.

Check Out Our Other Previews: Quarterback, Running Back

Current Depth Chart:

1. Jeff Cumberland
2. Jace Amaro
3. Kellen Davis
4. Steve Maneri

Cumberland should be the nominal starter when the season rolls around, but the player really to keep your eyes on in this group is Amaro. Amaro, who was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, has to show something justifying his lofty draft status.

Last season Amaro led all rookie tight ends with 38 receptions, but it was far from pretty altogether. He had mental lapses too often, running the wrong routes and dropping too many passes; he had six drops even though he was targeted only 52 times on the season. He also lacked any playmaking or game breaking ability, averaging only 9.1 yards per catch. Tight end is arguably the toughest position to transition from college to the NFL level, but Amaro will have to show more improvement this time around than he did as last season wore on.

More from New York Jets

At Texas Tech, Amaro was a record setting pass catcher. The offense ran there though was as quick as they came, giving him more opportunities than the average player. But, like the Jets are hoping with Geno Smith, the same can go for Amaro in the new offense Chan Gailey will be running. In his last stop with the Buffalo Bills, Gailey liked spreading the formation out with receivers; in college, Amaro was essentially a slot receiver, overmatching slot cornerbacks with his size. Could he be in for the same sort of role this season?

This season the plan is to use him in more of an H-Back role, which means he will be moving all around the formation. While that will put even more in Amaro’s plate studying and playbook wise, it should also increase his chances on the field to succeed. It would also do the Jets well to utilize Amaro more where it really counts; the red zone. Amaro stands 6-feet-5 inches tall and should be used more in those situations. Along with Brandon Marshall, the Jets should have two guys they can throw the ball up to in the red zone, along with what they are hoping will still be a bruising run game.

While Amaro will receive much the attention over the summer, and rightfully so, don’t overlook the other players. Cumberland has become a safety valve of sorts for Geno Smith, and is the better blocker of the group so he will be on the field quite a bit.

More From Empire Writes Back: Which Jets Made Our Top Athletes Of 2014 List?

Kellen Davis was on the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl winning team in 2013, so he will bring the knowledge of what it takes to win with him. Also, with Zach Sudfeld out for the season, his chances of sticking around are heightened. At 6-feet-7 inches tall and 265 pounds, Davis won’t factor much into the passing game, but will help out blocking. Also, like Sudfeld, Davis will help out on special teams as well, where he will more than likely be making most of his appearances with the Jets at.

Steve Maneri will have to make a major impact on special teams if he is to pull off the upset and make the final roster; he offers even less than Davis does offensively, and being less seasoned than him could put him even further behind on the depth chart.

Next: Five Things That Could Keep The Jets Out Of The 2015 Playoffs

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Jets