Mehta’s Top 20 Jets Countdown: Anderson

The 2019 Jets have new uniforms, new coaches and a new general manager, but one familiar question remains after an unexpected shakeup after the draft: Are these the ‘Same Old Jets’?

Mike Maccagnan added some quality pieces before getting fired in May, but has this star-crossed franchise done enough to break an eight-year playoff drought?

I’ll be revealing my Top 20 players on the roster every weekday for the next four weeks in the run-up to training camp.

The list is made up of the players who I think will make the most impact for Adam Gase’s team this season. We’re not ranking guys solely based on past accomplishments. Get ready for some surprises with our projections.

No. 10: Robby Anderson

2018 ranking: 5

Position: WR

Age at the start of the season: 26

2019 salary cap charge: $3.1 million

Contract status: One-year, $3.1 million restricted free agent tender. Unrestricted free agent in 2020.

2018 Season in Review: Anderson’s breakout 2017 campaign (941 yards and seven touchdowns) had some thinking he would turn into a full-fledged star in his third season. The speedy wideout, however, finished with fewer targets (94), receptions (50), yards (752) and touchdowns (6) last season.

“That was a down year for me,” Anderson said. “I know my capabilities. I know what I want to become… and that’s the best receiver in the NFL.”

The glass half-full crowd will point to Anderson’s chemistry with Sam Darnold over the final month of the season. After a slow start that included missing two games with an ankle injury, Anderson (inset) caught fire. He racked up 312 yards and three scores during Weeks

14-16.

Darnold, rejuvenated after sitting out three games due to injury, found a new best friend in Anderson in his first three games back. Anderson averaged 9.75 targets over the final four games after being targeted only 5.5 per game in his first 10 contests. 2019 Outlook:

It’s a massively important year for Anderson, who will cash in as a 2020 free agent if he becomes the player that he believes he can be this season. His off-field transgressions — two arrests that didn’t result in NFL discipline — gave the organization second thoughts about making a multi-year commitment this offseason, but Anderson has comported himself the right way in the past year, making it clear that he wants to help turn around the fortunes of this star-crossed franchise.

“My eyes are on the prize more than ever,” Anderson said. “I’m just more focused than ever.”

Adam Gase has repeatedly said this spring that he believes he can turn the speedy Anderson into more than a one-trick pony.

“We’re just going to keep trying to think of ways to get him the ball, ways to create variety in his routes,” Gase said. “Instead of just doing one or two things, maybe we can open that thing up to five, six, seven things to where he’s a threat on multiple levels whether it be underneath, intermediate or down the field.”

If Anderson turns into more than simply a vertical threat, watch out. He could have a monster year.

Next on the countdown: A quiet factor coming off a breakout season.

Countdown Rewind:

No. 20 — C Jonotthan Harrison

No. 19 — LB Jachai Polite No. 18 — WR Quincy Enunwa No. 17 — LB Jordan Jenkins No. 16 — RT Brandon Shell No. 15 — LB Avery Williamson

No. 14 — CB Trumaine Johnson

No. 13 — LT Kelvin Beachum No. 12 — S Marcus Maye No. 11 — WR Jamison Crowder