Who will be the WR2 for the New York Jets has been one of the most pressing questions of the offseason.
According to multiple team insiders, the competition is already over just a week into training camp.
“The battle for the WR2 spot isn’t really a battle anymore. The clear-cut leader is Josh Reynolds, who enjoyed his best practice with three receptions. He made all three from Tyrod Taylor, who replaced Justin Fields (toe) for the second straight day. Allen Lazard, having a very quiet camp, has fallen back in the receiver pecking order,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reiterated that same message.
“It looked like this in the spring, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to say that Josh Reynolds feels pretty locked in as the No. 2 wide receiver — and based on what we’ve seen in camp, I’m not exactly sure what Allen Lazard’s role is in this offense. The Jets like his ability to block in the running game, but he doesn’t contribute on special teams, and I’m fairly certain Fields has only targeted Lazard once in the passing game all of camp,” Rosenblatt said.
Is This Good News for the Jets?
A wide receiver has emerged from the pack. That is good news.
However, is Reynolds a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL?
Reynolds, 30, has been in the league for eight seasons. He was the No. 117 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft.
The former Texas A&M’s career statistics don’t suggest that he is a No. 2 receiver.
Reynolds has appeared in 116 games and has made 55 starts. He has collected 233 catches for 3,127 receiving yards and has scored 20 total touchdowns.
Those career stats don’t wow you. Neither will his single-season highs, which are 52 receptions for 618 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
Other Leading Contender Might Not Even Make the Team
Reynolds had been the leader in the clubhouse for a while at WR2. However, the other man in the running, Lazard, could find his way off the team.
Jets beat reporter Nick Faria of Jets X-Factor joined me on “Boy Green Daily.” During our conversation, he told my audience not to rule out a Lazard trade by the end of training camp.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk emphatically predicted that Lazard would be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
“One last point, put me down for this, I fully expect that sooner than later, and no later than training camp, the Steelers will trade for Jets receiver Allen Lazard. I’ve been waiting for that one to happen,” Florio said back in June.
We are over a week into training camp, and Lazard remains a member of the team, for now.
Lazard and Reynolds feel redundant. Tall physical receivers who pride themselves on run blocking. Reynolds seemingly has one starting gig on lock, but Lazard’s role is less clear.
He doesn’t play special teams, and he isn’t a lock to be among the top three receivers on the depth chart. That could be a recipe for his inevitable exit before the season.
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