#Jets mailbag: Chris Herndon has chance to be top 5 NFL tight end

Can [Chris] Herndon be a top 5 tight end this year? — Zach Reyes

My initial reaction to this was no way, Zach. But then I looked up the top tight ends and I see three who I don’t think Herndon can touch this year — Zach Ertz, George Kittle and Travis Kelce. But there is a drop-off after those three, and I would not rule out Herndon being able to slip in there.

Herndon has looked great so far in camp and showed a ton of potential as a rookie. Here are the two questions: can he stay healthy? Let’s assume he does. Then it is all about this offense. Herndon can’t be a top-five tight end if the offense stinks. The more plays the Jets run, the more chances for Herndon to catch the ball. If they are a bottom-tier offense, he won’t get enough chances. If you believe the Jets can be better on offense this year, Herndon could put up big numbers.

With these mounting injuries, the Jets are now a bit thin at the WR position. Instead of signing guys off the street, any chance Joe [Douglas] might pull off some kind of trade and are there any possibilities out there? — AJ Gallo

This will be something to watch, AJ. The Jets clearly could use some more help at wide receiver, even after signing Chris Hogan this week. My suspicion is that if Douglas does make a trade, it is not going to be for a big-name receiver. I am not aware of any currently on the trade block. Usually, you have a receiver or two who have gripes about their contracts, but I can’t think of any right now.

Submit your Jets questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag

Douglas surely will continue to scour the waiver wire and the free-agent market to see if there is a receiver that makes sense. There also may be a smaller trade to be made when we get closer to the season. There are usually deals done on cutdown weekend or just before it. Again, though, that is not going to be the big name I think you’re asking about.

What are you hearing about confidence the league will actually play a full season? — Marty Levine

It is tough to answer the “full season” question Marty because everything about this virus changes so often. Two months ago looked different than now and four months ago looked very different than now. It is hard to know what we will be facing as a country come December.

What I will say is I am very confident the season is going to start next month. I have been impressed with the precautions around the Jets, and the testing numbers have been encouraging. Now, there could be a spike or an outbreak like we have seen in MLB. But I think the season will start next month, and then we’ll have to hope that a full season can happen.

How does Jeff Smith look with the first team? — JR

Smith is an interesting prospect. The former college quarterback is getting a lot of first-team reps with the injuries at receiver. Smith is quick and he looks like he belongs out there. I don’t think the Jets want him to be their starting wide receiver when the season starts, but he is making a case to be a backup this year.

With [Joe] Flacco still on the shelf with no real timetable to return, should we be worried about our backup QB position, as we can’t see [David] Fales or [James] Morgan providing that security right now?    — Francis Lefort

The Jets are rolling the dice with the Flacco situation. He is recovering from neck surgery and will miss at least the first few games. The Jets have been dreadful with backup quarterbacks the past three years — 0-9. I don’t trust Fales, who would be the backup. Morgan is still not ready to play. You just need to hope that Darnold can stay healthy.