New on SI: Can Sam Darnold Finally Boost Jets Aerial Attack?

With the Addition of Breshad Perriman, Can Sam Darnold Finally Boost Jets Aerial Attack?

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold missed three games in 2019 after contracting mono and thus his stats are near the bottom of the league for starting passers. He was 25th in yards with 3,024 and his 19 passing touchdowns ranked 24th among other starting quarterbacks. But with a healthy Darnold for 2020, there’s some hope for the third year passer along with his playmakers in the passing attack. Veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder will likely once again lead the team in targets while rookie Denzel Mims and tight end Chris Herndon could be value picks in fantasy football drafts.

Sports Illustrated’s fantasy football analyst Shawn Childs and JetsCountry’s editor Kristian Dyer discuss the Jets passing game playmakers and highlight which members from Gang Green should be drafted in fantasy football. 

Read the transcript from their conversation:

Bill Enright: We are on to the next team for our fantasy football preview. Today, we're taking a look at the New York Jets aerial attack with quarterback Sam Donald. Wide receivers Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims and tight end Chris Herndon. Let's bring on our guests, fantasy analyst Shawn Childs and JetsCountry editor Kristian Dyer. Shawn, I'll start with you, going by the quarterback, Sam Darnold. He missed a couple of games last year because of Mono. What are you expecting from the third-year passer in 2020?

Shawn Childs: I think it all starts with the offensive line that just really struggled in run blocking and pass protection last year. So, Darnold, like you said, missed the first four games. After that, he only had one in that game, 393 yards and 4 touchdowns. 8 of his other games, he had 32 pass attempts to less, which doesn't create a high opportunity. Adding Denzel Mims and Jamison Crowder with the combination of Breshad Perriman and Chris Herndon should help the overall depth of the passing attack. He's got to push forward for sure. He's just going to be more of a QB 2 with more upside once his receivers make a push forward. So I've got a projected for 3691** yards, 22 touchdowns, maybe around 14 interceptions. Just more of a steady guy that has the talent to make a big push forward.

Bill Enright: Gotcha. Kristian, let me go over to you to break down some of Darnold's weapons. Who are you keeping an eye on?

Kristian Dyer: I think the players to watch are obviously going to be Jamison Crowder, who was the Jets leading receiver last year. He's someone who is not necessarily a true No. 1 wide receiver but I think a compliment with Denzel Mims could set up to be a rather formidable one-two in balanced passing approach. Chris Herndon as well, and Ryan Griffin at tight ends. Herndon missed a lot of time last year. What was overall very solid in the Games he has been in with the Jets and Ryan Griffin is someone with a big upside. Yet, I think the name to watch is going to be Breshad Perriman. 

The Jets brought him on board to help replace the loss of production with Robby Anderson, who left to free agency. If you look at Perriman's numbers and his speed that he brings, he's a more explosive player than Robby Anderson. If the Jets can get the ball in his hands in the open field, I think there's a good chance Perriman is the top receiver for the Jets this year.

Bill Enright: That would be an interesting prediction, especially after a really concerning Perriman, a bust of first couple years of his career until he found some success with Tampa Bay in 2019. Shawn and Kristian, thank you for your analysis. We are going team-by-team with a fantasy outlook. You can find it by going to our SI.com/fantasy.

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