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New York Jets: Brandon Marshall will be a big upgrade over Percy Harvin

By Nick Ziegler

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The New York Jets have started off the offseason with a bang by acquiring wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears for a late-round draft pick.

After the Jets were able to acquire Marshall, they will almost certainly be releasing wide receiver Percy Harvin. By releasing Harvin, the Jets now send their sixth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks instead of a fourth-round pick if they would have kept Harvin.

The move to acquire Marshall is an upgrade over Harvin, and he also comes at a cheaper price than Harvin, as this was a homerun of a deal by the Jets. Marshall has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL over the past 10 years, as before last season, he had seven straight years of over 1,000 yards receiving.

Marshall is a true No.1 wide receiver in this league, as his stats may have been down last season, but that had a lot to do with him missing three games, and being severely limited in others with injuries on a bad Bears team last year. In 13 games last season, Marshall had just 61 receptions, 721 yards, but was still a factor in the red zone with eight touchdowns. The addition of Marshall in the red zone could be the biggest are the Jets upgraded in by adding him, as his height and leaping ability makes him difficult to guard.

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The Jets will now have a great duo at wide receiver with Marshall and Eric Decker, as for the first time in a long time the Jets’ wide receiver corps will have some serious talent. On paper a trio of Marshall, Decker, and Jeremy Kerley in the slot looks to be very formidable.

Harvin may be a few years younger than Marshall, but Marshall is a clearly better wide receiver, and will actually be cheaper than the Jets keeping Harvin. Harvin was owed $10.5 million next season compared to just $7.7 million for Marshall next season.

So far in his career, Harvin has been a good dual-threat option as a receiver and a runner, but he is simply not worth the money he was owed. Harvin has battled injuries throughout his career, and has only made the Pro Bowl once in his career. As a wide receiver, Harvin hasn’t had a season over 1,000 yards, which is a glaring problem for a player who was set to be paid north of $10 million.

Last season with the Jets, Harvin played in eight games, and had 29 receptions, 350 yards receiving to go along with 110 rushing yards. Harvin does bring some flexibility to an offense, but compared to Marshall’s production Harvin comes up very short.

The New York Jets are off to a great start in the offseason by acquiring Marshall, as if they can land a quarterback that’s an upgrade, the Jets fans will have a lot to look forward to in 2015. Harvin will draw interest in free agency from numerous teams, as his short stint with the Jets has come to an end. The new regime continues to make changes to the roster, which is a welcomed sight after last season.

Next: Who are the the best first-round picks in Jets history?

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