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New York Jets News: Dri Archer Signed To Reserve-Future Contract

By Kenneth Teape

Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver/running back Dri Archer (13) runs with the ball in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver/running back Dri Archer (13) runs with the ball in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Jets News: The Jets were able to add some much needed speed to their roster Wednesday, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers’ third round pick Dri Archer.

One of the areas that the New York Jets struggled with mightily in 2015 was on special teams. Their coverage teams were average, at best, and their return teams left much to be desired. That is part of the reason that they hired Brant Boyer to try and get the unit back on track.

There is only so much that a coach can do, as they need the players and personnel as well to get the job done. The Jets did not have a kick returner on the roster last season, but they could have found one yesterday in Dri Archer. Archer, a former third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, was signed by the Jets on Wednesday to a reserve-future contract.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, one of the things that head coach Todd Bowles was looking to add to the team for 2016 was speed, and that is exactly what Archer brings to the table. Archer is probably best known for his performance at the NFL Combine in 2014 prepping for the NFL Draft, when he ran the second fastest time ever in the 40-yard dash. Archer completed the drill in a blazing 4.26 seconds, trailing only the time set by Chris Johnson in 2008, when he ran it in 4.24 seconds.

That performance in the 40-yard dash put Archer squarely on the radar of many teams, and made his stock skyrocket. But, the Steelers and Archer quickly found out the harsh reality that it takes more than just speed to succeed in the NFL. One of the biggest knocks against Archer is something that he cannot change; his size. Archer stands at a diminutive 5-feet-8 inches tall and 175, so there is only so much you can do with him on the field.

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With his size, Archer is limited to being a gadget player, evident by the fact he is listed as a running back/wide receiver/kick returner. The versatility is nice, but Archer was unable to ever get anything going on the field. Archer has only 10 rushes for 40 yards and seven receptions for 23 yards in his 12 games with the Steelers, as he was released this past November less than two years into his Steelers’ tenure.

Archer was not much stronger in the return game, which is considered his strong suit. Archer has had 23 kickoff returns, which he has gained 515 yards on. That equates to an average of 22.4, which would have been the second lowest yards per return average if Archer qualified for the list.

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But, for a team that performed as poorly as the Jets on special teams last season, they will take any help they can get. Archer has the speed and burst to be successful on special teams, the Jets just have to hope they can get something out of him that the Steelers were unable to.

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