The New York Jets continue to add depth to their offense around quarterback Sam Darnold ahead of the 2020 season. After spending an ample amount of money on the offense this offseason, the Jets are reportedly inking a deal with veteran wideout Donte Moncrief.
Moncrief signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 in hopes he could be a solid No. 2 or No. 3 option alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Diontae Johnson. However, he would finish with just four receptions and 18 yards before being released by the Steelers in November.
Just two seasons ago though, Moncrief put together one of the best seasons of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ole Miss product caught 48 passes for 668 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. It was his second-best campaign behind his 2015 season where he hauled in 64 receptions for 733 yards and six touchdowns in his second year with the Indianapolis Colts.
While the Jets would love to get the Colts version of Moncrief, they would likely be content with any sort of production he can give this season. As of this moment, New York's receiving corps is a makeshift group comprised of Breshad Perriman, Jamison Crowder, rookie Denzel Mims, and Chris Hogan. Perriman, Mims, and Hogan are all new faces in New York's building this offseason.
Given that, no one is secured to any one spot at wide receiver for the Jets. In turn, that could give Moncrief an opportunity to bounce back after a disappointing showing in 2019.
With Darnold entering his third season, New York wants to get a decent look at how he's progressed thus far. But unless Moncrief or any of the other pass-catchers excel immediately, Darnold could continue to show inconsistencies in his game.