New York Jets: Player evaluations-Austin Seferian-Jenkins

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 26: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Final grade for New York Jets tight end, Austin  Seferian-Jenkins.

Let’s continue our way through the offseason grading process. All New York Jets fans know about the process. It has often been the favorite term of some team executives. So, in deference to the past, we are going to continue the process right now.

Time to take a look at starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Here is a guy that is easy to root for. His life, and he would likely tell you the same thing, was getting away from him in Tampa Bay. He was often injured and going through his difficulties with alcohol. After being released by the Buccaneers and signed by the Jets, ASJ decided that enough was enough and turned his life around. He got lean and he got clean, and the result was production. He made himself into a quality starting tight end.

Let’s get to the evaluation:

FINAL STATS: 50 RECEPTIONS, 357 YARDS, THREE TOUCHDOWNS

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On the field, Seferian-Jenkins set career highs in both yards and receptions. He should have had a career high of five touchdowns, but the referees decided to invent reasons why he didn’t catch two balls that were in his lap.

That’s for another day.

Facts are facts, and the fact is that Austin became a very consistent target. He may have put up less yardage in the second half of the season than the first, but he posted at least one catch in every game he played.

He does need to improve as a blocker, grading out with Pro Football Focus at a 47.6 overall, 59.9 in run blocking and 65.7 in pass blocking. ASJ needs to be an every-down threat and improving his blocking will do the trick.

Next: Jets wide receiver evaluations

Austin was also quite efficient. He only dropped two passes in 74 targets, and his catch percentage was 67.6%, higher than Robby Anderson. He became a trustworthy target for Josh McCown and more than deserves to be back next season.

FINAL GRADE: B+