By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media
A bulging disc will sideline Jets receiver Quincy Enunwa for the entire 2017 season. How can they replace him? Here are several in-house and free-agent options.
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Looking for a replacement
Surprisingly, the Jets offense just got worse.
On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles announced Quincy Enunwa, the team's top receiver, will miss the entire 2017 season. Enunwa injured his neck in the Jets' Green and White Scrimmage on Saturday. MRI results revealed a bulging disc, which will likely require surgery.
So ... how do the Jets replace him?
At this point, it seems all options are on the table. Bowles said he and general manager Mike Maccagnan will "look into" adding another receiver via free agency, which could also mean a veteran.
"We don't know yet," Bowles said. "We have a lot of young guys we're trying to develop. If something's out there that catches our eye, we'll sign him. If not, we'll stay with the guys we've got."
Which guys could the Jets be looking at? Here are the top players on the free-agent market, along with a few in-house replacement possibilities.
ArDARIUS STEWART, in-house
A third-round pick this year, Stewart is a player the Jets want to develop. The issue? He's clearly behind the eight ball. Stewart had groin and thumb surgery in June, and missed most/all of organized team activities and minicamp.
What Enunwa injury means for Jets
VINCENT JACKSON, free agent
Jackson, 34, missed most of the 2016 season with an ACL injury, but is healthy now. He's currently a free agent, and if the Jets are looking for an experienced target, he's it. A 12-year veteran, Jackson has 540 career receptions, 9,080 yards and 57 touchdowns.
CHRIS HARPER, in-house
This year's training camp star, Harper has impressed in two weeks. Most of his big plays have come against the reserve defense, though. Banking on Harper to replace Enunwa might not be the Jets' wisest move. This is Harper's third season, but he has just 14 career receptions.
EDDIE ROYAL, free agent
The Bears let Eddie Royal go after they signed ex-Giants receiver Victor Cruz. Primarily a slot wideout, Royal would fill a need. He's a solid route runner with sure hands. The Jets don't have many of those players on their roster. In nine games last season, Royal caught 33 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
ROBBY ANDERSON, in-house
Anderson burst onto the scene as an undrafted free agent last year. Filling in for an injured Eric Decker, he caught 42 passes for 587 yards and two touchdowns.
It's been a rough start to training camp for Anderson. He's struggling to beat the press, and dropped several easy completions. He's currently atop the depth chart with Enunwa out for the year.
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STEVIE JOHNSON, free agent
Johnson, 31, missed the entire 2016 season after he had surgery to repair his meniscus. He's not the player he once was, but is familiar with new-Jets offensive coordinator John Morton. Morton was Johnson's positional coach with the 49ers in 2014. That season, Johnson caught 35 passes for 435 yards and three touchdowns.
CHARONE PEAKE, in-house
The Jets selected Peake in the seventh round last year. He played sparingly as a rookie, but hasn't taken much of a step in Year 2. Peake is strugglingly mightily with drops in training camp.
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CECIL SHORTS, free agent
Shorts is one of the younger experienced players on the free-agent market. He won't turn 30 until December. With that said, he's a free agent for a reason. He hasn't crossed the 500-yard mark since 2014. Still, he's an experienced, reliable option who can play in the slot.
CHAD HANSEN, in-house
The Jets selected Hansen one round after Stewart. And he, like Stewart, missed most of the offseason with a leg injury. Hansen looks to be more of a developmental project. He's struggling some in training camp.
Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media
Are the Jets doomed without Quincy Enunwa?
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