Last season, at this time the New York Jets had a renowned punt/kick returner and young kicker with high potential. Andre Roberts and Jason Myers were two young special teamers with expectations of mediocrity by many. Brant Boyer the Jets special teams coach and the two talented players made the Jets special teams truly special. Boyer is a football mastermind and he can make talented players that much better. The Jets fielded two pro bowl special teams players but ultimately the old regime felt it would be in the team’s best interest to let Andre Roberts and Jason Myers walk. This left the Jets with no returner or kicker for the 2019 season. The Jets did hold on to the legend that is Lachlan Edwards (Punter) and the veteran Long Snapper Thomas Hennessey but the Jets special teams aside from that will be completely revamped this season.
Kick Returner: Trenton Cannon
Trenton Cannon is a 2nd year running back from Virginia State. Cannon was drafted for his elusiveness and breakaway speed. Boyer was able to use him in a few ways on special teams last year but not in a large way. Cannon saw a bigger role in the running and passing attack due to injuries and put up 38 carries for 113 yds, 17 receptions for 144 yds and a score. Cannon has had his struggled adjusting to a more high profile returner role but now he will be the Jets resident kick returner this season. It will be a big role for the second-year player and there will be a learning curve but ultimately, I expect Cannon to have a solid amount of success.
Punt Returner: Braxton Berrios
One of the Jets newest signees joins the team to take Greg Dortch’s role on the squad. Berrios was drafted by the New England Patriots out of Florida State with a 6th rounder in the 2018 draft. Berrios was someone I projected to be a solid slot receiver and at the least a good special teams addition to whichever team drafts him prior to the 2018 draft. Berrios didn’t have a true shot to a breakthrough in the crowded Patriots wide receiver room. Berrios was ultimately waived and will now be given his first legitimate shot to succeed with the New York Jets as one of their 5 WRs and as their new punt returner.
Kicker: Kaare Vedvik
One of the biggest holes on this team was covered by me in a previous article. The Jets let go of Jason Myers as I mentioned earlier and then added their former kicker Chandler Catanzaro. Catanzaro flat out stunk for the Jets and went straight to retirement. The Jets replaced him with another former Jet kicker from last season, Taylor Bertolet. The job, just like Catanzaro was his to lose and he lost it. The Jets floated the idea of acquiring Vedvik from the Ravens before he ultimately landed in Minnesota for a 5th rounder and didn’t play the best. He, however, was phenomenal with the Ravens in the pre-season and a really good kicker in college. He is coming over in a position similar to when Myers came to New York. Now the Jets will look to recreate that success with Vedvik this year and he happens to be one of the players I’m most excited to see this Sunday against Buffalo.
To conclude, the Jets will have their work cut out for them on special teams this year. The unit that was one of the best now could be the weakest spot on the team this season. With so much high potential, however, I don’t doubt the Jets and Brant Boyer can turn this group into something good.