New York Jets Position Review: Wide Receiver

With all the attention in New York Jets camp on the quarterback competition, the wide receiver position has been largely ignored in training camp. This is largely because the two starters, Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, are firmly entrenched as the starting flankers on opening day, but the battle for the slot receiver is as entertaining as any other training camp battle.

The starters

The veteran Coles is still the primary target, especially if his friend Chad Pennington is the starting quarterback, but he's poised to bounce back after an injury-plagued year. He went from 91 receptions, 1098 yards, and 6 touchdowns to 55, 646, and 6. This year the mercurial Coles is healthy and happy that coach Eric Mangini's training camps have shortened this year, and with a new offensive line, he should have more room to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.

He went from being a track star, running a 4.17 40 yard dash at Florida State to becoming a tough and shifty receiver in the NFL. Entering his ninth season, he's gained a reputation as a gamer. He's a guy teams love to have on their side as he plays hard, runs crisp routes, and possesses good hands.

Opposite Coles is the younger Cotchery. The former North Carolina State star had his first 1000 yard season last year with 82 catches and 1130 yards. However, his touchdown output dropped from six to two touchdowns, but with shoddy offensive line and quarterback play, the offense as a whole struggled to score.

He's very similar to Coles in that he is a possession receiver who is becoming known for his toughness. In a more explosive offense, he should be able to put up similar numbers even with a healthier Coles on the other side.

Together the two are a dangerous combination of possession receivers. Neither is a true no. 1, but any team would love to have either player. While both have the ability to break tackles and run after the catch, they would benefit from another gamebreaker to provide a deep threat to keep defenses more honest or a big receiver who can help in the red zone.

Rookie tight end Dustin Keller could be that guy. Leon Washington and Thomas Jones might provide an effective enough running attack to help, but eventually, someone else will need to step up at wide receiver to take pressure off the two starters. Coles will also be 31 at the end of the season, and his physical style of play may start to wear him down.

So who are the candidates to be the Jets' third receive?

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