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New York Jets: Chris Owusu Should Have Roster Spot Locked Up

By Kenneth Teape

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The New York Jets spent a large part of the offseason greatly upgrading their roster. They brought in bonafide stars on both sides of the ball, including Brandon Marshall at wide receiver. Wide Receiver has been an area of concern for the Jets in recent seasons, as they just have not had the talent to elevate pedestrian quarterback play. The Jets used numerous picks in 2014 on receivers trying to hit on one, but none have panned out. But, they may have found a gem in Chris Owusu.

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Owusu was an undrafted free agent from the 2012 NFL Draft class that was brought into the NFL by his former college coach, John Harbaugh. Owusu didn’t make the final roster, and spent some of the 2012 season on the 49ers and San Diego Chargers practice squads. He was later picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and played there from 2012-2014.

After being released, Owusu was picked up by John Idzik last September. Injuries ruined his draft stock, causing some teams to become skittish of adding him to their roster. But, he has tantalizing speed, as he was an all-state sprinter in high school. He didn’t lose that speed throughout college though, despite numerous concussions and a MCL tear. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2012, which tied for the fastest overall.

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That speed helped Owusu become a special teams ace while at Stanford. For his career, he averaged 26.6 yards per kick return, and returned three for touchdowns in his sophomore year. It now looks like he may have finally found a home in the NFL, as he should have a spot on the Jets’ final 53-man roster locked up after his performance last night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Owusu was already quickly becoming a favorite of the new regime for the performance he was putting on during training camp. With Jeremy Kerley falling out of favor, the new coaching staff was looking for someone to step up and take over his spot, and Owusu has been one of the guys to do so.

Against the Eagles in the preseason finale Thursday, Owusu shined in a game void of many starters, but full of guys fighting for jobs. He pulled in five of his six targets for 72 yards and a touchdown, leading the Jets in receiving on the night. His touchdown from Matt Flynn in the first quarter got the scoring started for the Jets, as they connected on an 18-yard completion for the score.

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With his skill set, Owusu not only can contribute on offense, but should also help on special teams. Anyone that isn’t a starter will be asked to help on coverage teams, but Owusu could also be used as a return man. Last season’s top kickoff return option, Percy Harvin, is no longer with the team, signing with Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills in the offseason.

Walter Powell and Bilal Powell are the only two players who had multiple return attempts last season that are still on the roster currently, so it is a job Owusu could definitely take over; W. Powell has no guarantee to make the team, and the Jets cannot afford B. Powell to get injured on special teams because of the role he fills offensively.

That leaves Owusu with a real chance to contribute on special teams as well as on the offense. With Kerley squarely on the roster bubble despite his experience and contract, someone will need to take those snaps next to Eric Decker and Marshall. Owusu looks like he wants that chance, and has earned a spot on the final roster with his play in the preseason and training camp. The versatility he adds as a special teams contributor will only help his case as the Jets will have a number of decisions to make leading up to Saturday’s deadline to have the final 53-man roster.

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