Robby Anderson: Unknown Preseason Rookie Standout

The preseason is often the best platform there is for unknown and unheralded rookies to show what they can do. Robby Anderson is a recent big example.

When one thinks about the New York Jets offense, it starts with the veteran playmakers. There is Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker at wide receiver and Matt Forte at running back. Then it shifts to former 2nd round pick Devin Smith and a big, experienced offensive line. Not a single person gave the name Robby Anderson a second thought when training camp opened up nor when the preseason first began.

It didn’t take him long to start turning heads. In week two, the Jets were facing the Washington Redskins and had just gone to second-year quarterback Bryce Petty. Most expected him to have a rather average performance. That is until he started connecting with Anderson for a series of big plays that caught everybody, including the Redskins off guard.

So who in the world is Anderson? It’s not like he dropped out of the sky. He was a wide receiver at Temple, spending three years there. As a junior he posted 70 catches for 939 yards. The production numbers weren’t bad but hardly notable compared to others in his draft class. Combine that with a rail thin frame and it’s little wonder he went undrafted.

That didn’t deter the Jets, who moved quickly to sign him as a free agent. They were aware of his faults, but also recognized his value almost right away. Not only is Anderson 6’3″, optimal height for a wide receiver, but also clocked a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash and jumped over 36 inches at his pro day. In other words he has a tall frame, can run fast and jump high. No doubt he’s a better athlete than a football player at this point, but the Jets coaching staff knows that it’s much easier to turn athletes into football players than the other way around.

Robby Anderson looks like he’s a pet project of the team who knows they have a limited shelf life on guys like Marshall and Decker. After seeing him torch the Redskins for 131 yards and a touchdown, there is no doubt that with more time and work he can become a hidden gem for this team.