As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 22: David Nelson
Last year’s ranking: Unranked/Not on team
Position: Wide receiver
Age: 27
How acquired: Signed as a free agent on Oct. 2, 2013
Years left on contract: 1
2014 salary cap figure: $645,000
Looking back at 2013: The Jets picked up Nelson four weeks into last season after they were hit with injuries at wide receiver. He became one of their most reliable targets, catching 36 passes (second on the team) for 423 yards and two touchdowns.
Nelson never really had time to get used to playing one receiver position. They constantly moved him around as injuries kept hitting other receivers. He only had two drops, according to Pro Football Focus, and caught 64 percent of the passes thrown his way.
Outlook for 2014: Nelson is in the mix to be the team’s No. 2 wide receiver. The Jets have several guys fighting for the spot, but Nelson appears to be the favorite judging from OTA and minicamp snaps.
Nelson had to learn Marty Mornhinweg’s offense on the fly last year. It will be interesting to see how much better he can be with a full offseason in the system. Nelson had 61 catches in 2011 for Buffalo. The Jets would sign up for a season like that in a second.
The starting job is not guaranteed for Nelson. His roster spot is not even guaranteed. He is battling Stephen Hill and draft picks Jalen Saunders, Shaq Evans and Quincy Enunwa. But Nelson is a professional receiver, something those others have not proven, so I would give him the edge in winning a starting job.