#It’s worth $10 million for Jamison Crowder to remain Sam Darnold’s constant

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“#It’s worth $10 million for Jamison Crowder to remain Sam Darnold’s constant”

July 20, 2020 | 8:54am

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 5: Jamison Crowder

Last year’s ranking: 15

Position: WR

Age on Opening Day: 27

How acquired: Signed to a three-year, $28.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent on March 15, 2019.

Years left on contract: 2

2020 Salary Cap figure: $10 million

Looking back at 2019

Crowder was part of former GM Mike Maccagnan’s spending spree in March 2019 and he is one piece that worked. Crowder was the Jets’ best receiver last season. He managed to stay healthy after battling injuries in Washington the year before and he became a key piece of the Jets offense.

Crowder played in all 16 games, starting 12. He led the team in targets (122), catches (78), receiving yards (833) and receiving touchdowns (6). Crowder developed solid chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold and was a reliable target for the young quarterback.

They showed instant chemistry in Week 1 when Crowder had 14 catches in the loss to the Bills. Darnold’s absence with mononucleosis led to a lull for Crowder but he came on in the second half. Crowder looked more and more comfortable in Adam Gase’s offense as the season went along.

PFF graded Crowder 40th among the 122 receivers who qualified. They had him as the fourth-highest graded slot receiver, behind only Chris Godwin, Tyler Lockett and Golden Tate.

Crowder accounted for 41 first downs and had seven drops. He also had 364 yards after the catch, per PFF.

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Outlook for 2020

The Jets need Crowder to keep producing like he did last year. They have revamped the wide receivers room by letting Robby Anderson walk, signing Breshad Perriman and drafting Denzel Mims. Perriman and Mims are hardly sure things, though. Crowder is the only receiver you feel confident you know what you are getting.

It is also a big year for Crowder. He is scheduled to make $10 million in 2021, but none of it is guaranteed. The Jets could move on from Crowder if he has a disappointing year. But if he performs like he did last year, the Jets will surely hold onto him.

Crowder has proven to be a steady performer in his career and should play a key role for the Jets this season. He and Darnold showed a good connection last season that they should build upon this year.