From the Jets OTAs so far we have heard a lot about Keelan Cole, as well as Braxton Berrios. Both have been said to be favorite targets so far of Zach Wilson and have looked very good in the opportunities they are getting. Originally the thought process for Keelan Cole was the same as the thought process of Braxton Berrios. First that this is OTAs in shorts and no pads, and you cannot look too into it. How many times have we seen players who flash in shorts then it doesn’t translate to pads and real games, especially at wide receiver? Clyde Gates, ArDarius Stewart, Chad Hansen, the list goes on and on. Second, due to OTAs being voluntary not everyone is here yet, and they don’t have to be. They are off on their own, working hard, practicing, keeping in shape. Plus injuries play a factor as well.
For Crowder it was the voluntary aspect as well as contract renegotiation’s. Jamison Crowder is not there. I firmly believe letting him go is a mistake. He has been the Jets best wide receiver each of the last two years, has been one of the best slot wide receivers every year he has been in the NFL, and you want as many weapons as possible for your rookie QB. But that is not the topic of this article. The topic is that since Crowder hasn’t been there, Berrios is seeing a lot of time in the slot and making the most of those opportunities. The same goes for Keelan Cole, who has been making the most of his opportunities since Denzel Mims wasn’t playing. Or so we thought…
Denzel Mims was sidelined for the first week or so of OTAs with a minor injury. However since he has returned, according to Connor Hughes and DJ Bien-Aime, he has been working solely with the 2’s. Keelan Cole has continued to work with the 1’s with Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Braxton Berrios. This was very surprising to me, but in a conversation recently with both Connor and DJ it actually makes sense.
As you can see I was questioning Denzel Mims not being the starter, because that just seems crazy to me. I have been saying that not only is Denzel Mims very talented, but he was supposed to be a 1st round prospect just like Elijah Moore. I’ve shown how most WR1’s have had pedestrian rookie years like Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay, both of which were later picks than Mims was, and how Mims flashed amazing receiving, awareness, and catch ability last season. He was hurt like most rookies transitioning to the NFL, and hamstring injuries tend to linger. Mims hurt both of his hamstrings. I felt we hadn’t seen Mims at 100% but saw flashes. I also want to point out again THAT THIS IS OTAs. Until they put the pads on and play against real competition in the preseason, it is hard to gauge what we really have and who will be the starters. I still believe in Mims and have said for the reasons above that he can still develop into a true WR1, but two different beat writers having the exact same observation is hard to ignore…
And that observation as you can see in Connor’s tweet above, is that even with Mims back, Cole looks like he is going to be the guy. And the logic does make sense. I have been saying that other than Zach Wilson, the entire team is wide open. I want the best players to start who work the hardest, look the best, give us the best chance to succeed, and give our rookie QB the best weapon possible. If that is Keelan Cole, I am fine with that. If that is Braxton Berrios, I am fine too. How much money you’re making is irrelevant to me. The best players always play, so here is your opportunity. From potential stars to UDFAs, whoever wants it can earn it, and Cole looks to be doing exactly that.
Not only has Connor said this, but I spoke privately with DJ Bien-Aime as I will be bringing you guys a new segment called Exclusives with DJ Bien-Aime, and he confirmed the exact same thing, almost verbatim, which means there is legitimacy to this. Both have said that since Mims has returned he is working exclusively with the 2’s while Cole has continued to work exclusively with the 1’s. Both have said that Cole is a much better fit for this new scheme under Mike LaFleur. Both have said that this new scheme requires precise route runners, and Mims is more of a linear player who doesn’t possess the deepest route tree. That can definitely change, but as of now Keelan Cole, Corey Davis, and even rookie Elijah Moore are much better route runners.
Another interesting aspect is Connor points out that the Jets have apparently been trying to acquire Cole for the last two years now but haven’t been able to get the Jaguars to part with him. Joe Douglas has been our GM for two years, which means basically since he has been here he has been trying to acquire Cole. That is not something to ignore. That shows how much Joe Douglas likes Keelan Cole, which is important when factoring in that Denzel Mims was a 2nd round pick of Joe Douglas’ just last year. I figured Mims’ potential plus his draft stock meant Mims was going to be the guy, but if Douglas has been this high on Cole his entire tenure with us, and Robert Saleh views Cole as a better fit in this offense than Mims, then there is legitimacy to Cole being the Jets WR2. Now lets take a look at what Keelan Cole brings to the table.
As you guys know, I am a huge fan of Joe Douglas. I have felt since his 1st draft that he was a great GM, and said everyone will see it eventually which they are now. I have also spoken about the many things we apparently see eye to eye on, including draft prospects and philosophies. In fact my last podcast episode was dedicated to all the reasons I was a huge fan of Joe Douglas leading up to his 1st draft and why after it I was confident enough to say he was a great GM already. As it turns out, we can add another player we both agree on, and that is Keelan Cole.
We had said earlier Douglas has been a big fan of Keelan Cole and has been trying to bring him to the Jets the past two years. I have been a fan of Cole since his rookie year when he put up 748 yards, averaged 17.8 yards per catch, and had 3 touchdowns. In watching Cole he has always reminded me of old school wide receivers and I really liked that about him. He plays very physical and makes contested catches. He plays much more physical than his 6″1″ 194 lbs frame would suggest he would. In fact, his physicality, contested catch ability, and desire to make the catch no matter if he is gonna get hit hard, has reminded me of Jericho Cotchery. Also, for a wide receiver of this archetype he is much faster and quicker than you would think. In his four years with the Jaguars, Cole in limited opportunities has 2,242 yards, has averaged 14.1 yards per catch, and has 12 touchdowns.
As you can see in the above tweets, Cole also seems to make a lot of ridiculous catches where he looks like a potential WR1. Like the commentator says, “speed guys run & get open, they don’t turn around & make Spider-Man-type catches.” Cole has been a WR2/3 over the past four years but often tends to make these ridiculous catches making you wonder if there is more potential there. Sometimes, a change of scenery can make a huge difference. Maybe this opportunity with the Jets is what Keelan Cole needed to finally break out.
Is Keelan Cole going to be the Jets WR2? Again, it is just OTAs in shorts and no pads, but as of now it is beginning to look that way.
Great article, Harrison! If it was up to me, I would trade Crowder immediately since Cole, Moore, and Berrios can all play the slot.
Thanks brother! Really glad you enjoyed it! Now that my site is back up I will writing more regularly again. I am a big Crowder fan and don’t understand why they wouldn’t just let him play out the last year of his deal. He is well worth the money he is making, we don’t need the money, and our rookie QB needs as many weapons as possible. I do love Elijah Moore and he has been very impressive so far, everything as advertised. He could be a SuperStar in short notice. I don’t think Crowder is in Jets future plans, but to me having him this year makes sense, as he has been our best WR last two years and always one of best slot WRs in NFL, but I know and love that Moore is our future. Berrios has been lighting it up at OTAs too (even though just OTAs) be interesting to see how big his role is when the pads go on and the season begins.