New York Jets: Bruce Ellington highlights and analysis

What are the New York Jets getting in recent waiver claim Bruce Ellington? Injuries have plagued his young career, but Ellington has a ton of talent…

The New York Jets have the least talented roster in the NFL today. That’s not a statement to be mean, it’s just a statement of fact. Therefore, when you see a player with some skill – like wide receiver Bruce Ellington – come across the waiver-wire, you can almost bet the Jets are going to put in a claim.

As it were, the Jets put in a claim on the former South Carolina star receiver, a player who was once part of a very highly regarded 2014 draft class for the San Francisco 49ers.

Ellington has struggled with injuries in his first three NFL seasons, and the new regime in San Francisco decided he wasn’t going to be part of their plans this season, so they gave him a shot to catch on elsewhere.

Coming out of South Carolina, there weren’t many more intriguing receivers in the draft than Ellington, pound-for-pound. He was a basketball player, and utilized that skill set on the field by taking a 5-foot-9 frame and creating a phenomenal catch radius in college with his 39.5 inch vertical jump.

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Not only can Ellington jump out of the gym, he’s got speed and quickness. His burst off the line of scrimmage was one of the more impressive aspects of his game I scouted from him back in 2014.

The Jets are getting a guy coming off of a season-ending injury, not having played football since the 2015 season. He had three fumbles in 2015, and unfortunately was much less efficient with his overall touches than he was as a rookie in 2014.

New York is looking for all the talent it can get, and the cupboard is pretty bare, especially at wide receiver. They recently put in a waiver claim on former Cowboys wide receiver/special teamer Lucky Whitehead as well.

Ellington can serve as a slot receiver, kick returner, punt returner, and even can take the ball out of the backfield. Perhaps he can provide a spark this season for the Jets offensively.