Three Jets to Watch After the Bye

We have talked about pleasant surprises and unpleasant disappointments for the Jets over the last few days. Now let’s look to the future. Here are three Jets to watch in the final six games of the season.

Bryce Petty: Whether or not he starts against New England, Petty figures to see playing time before the season is out. There probably is not much he can do to lock down the starting job for 2017 or make the Jets view him as their quarterback of the future. He can at least show that he is making progress, though. Petty’s roster spot for 2017 is not a lock. By his third season, he will likely need to show that he is at least a backup level quarterback to justify keeping around. He can start the progress now.

Robby Anderson: He was a preseason superstar. Then Eric Decker got injured. Anderson got playing time and left a number of potential receptions on the field. In recent weeks, though, Anderson has started to contribute. He is making tough catches that were incompletions a few weeks back. Is Anderson blossoming into a quality NFL receiver before our eyes? The next few weeks will provide some answers.

Lorenzo Mauldin: Mauldin was so uninspiring in training camp and the preseason that he essentially gave away a starting job that had been all but handed to him. In recent weeks, his playing time has increased, and the second year edge rusher has shown signs of life. No matter what happens, 2016 has to go down as a disappointing year. Can he at least end it on a good note and build some momentum heading into 2017?