Who’s No. 2?
That is the biggest question facing the Jets as they open a mini-camp Tuesday, as in: Who will be this team’s No. 2 wide receiver?
The Jets went out in free agency and signed Eric Decker from the Broncos to a five-year, $36.25 million deal. Some question whether Decker is an actual No. 1 receiver, but he will be for the Jets this season.
The mystery surrounds who will be on the opposite side of the field from him. Jeremy Kerley led the team with 43 receptions last year, but he is more of a slot receiver than one who lines up on the outside.
During the Jets’ recent organized team activities, David Nelson and Stephen Hill saw the most reps at the second wide-receiver spot during the sessions the media were permitted to watch.
Nothing will be determined over the next three days, but someone can take the lead in the competition that begins in full next month during training camp.
Hill will be one of the most fascinating players to watch during the next two months. The team’s second-round pick in 2012, Hill has battled knee injuries and inconsistent play in his first two years. But he still is only 23 years old and has the physical gifts to be a deep threat.
Wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal said Hill has played well this spring. Despite Hill’s struggles and the criticism that has come along with them, Lal praised Hill’s mentality.
“From what I see, I think he’s very confident,” Lal said. “I don’t know how much deep down what everyone’s written about him and the image he’s been portrayed with, how deeply it’s affected him. I don’t know. He doesn’t show it outwardly. But at some level when people write negative things about you it has to affect you in some way. He’s a strong person mentally. He understands that a lot of what’s written, the people may not know what happened or what the reason was. He’s smart enough to understand that difference.”
Nelson took many of the first-team snaps during the final OTA session open to the media, and figures to be the favorite to land the second starting spot entering training camp. He joined the team in the middle of last season and finished with 36 catches for 423 yards and two touchdowns.
The other contenders for the spot are Jacoby Ford and rookies Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans.
Three other things to watch
1. Will Dee be out there?
Cornerback Dee Milliner has been limited by a hamstring injury during OTAs. The Jets are counting on him this year. Can he practice?
2. How are the guards?
Willie Colon, the expected starter at right guard, is out after knee surgery. Second-year player Brian Winters moved from left to right guard last week with Oday Aboushi, another 2013 draft pick, playing left. If Colon is sidelined in training camp, this could be a problem area for the Jets.
3. Is Amaro catching on?
Rookie tight end Jace Amaro has been thrown in with the starting team during OTAs. He’s had some good moments, and others when he looks like a rookie.