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WR Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets

HT: 6-0, WT: 207, Born: 6-16-1982, College: North Carolina State, Drafted: Round 4

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: D Williams (78), E Manning (79), Jerricho Cotchery (80), K Curtis (81), J Galloway (82)
Position: L Coles (75-WR27), S Moss (77-WR28), Jerricho Cotchery (80 - WR29), K Curtis (81-WR30), J Galloway (82-WR31)
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 Click here to go to the Jerricho Cotchery spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

Best Case

If Jerricho Cotchery becomes the undisputed No. 1 receiver for the Jets and Kellen Clemens wins the starting job, then we'll see the best scenario for Cotchery. He has all the tools to be a star WR in the league, but a weak supporting cast has held Cotchery back the past two seasons. A boost to his totals would be if the improvements on the offensive line pay dividends, allowing Cotchery to run longer routes and rack up the receiving yards, while rookie TE Dustin Keller opens up the outside of the field and commands the attention of opposing safeties. If Cotchery reaches the end zone a few more times in 2008, he could become a WR1 in PPR leagues.

Worst Case

Cotchery continues to have to fight Laveranues Coles for touches, and Cotchery might suffer if Pennington is named the starter. The Jets big offseason moves to improve the defense and running game may pay big dividends but could make the passing game become part of a conservative, low octane offense. Brad Smith, Marcus Henry, Wallace Wright or Dustin Keller could also emerge as much better receiving options than Justin McCareins, which would limit Cotchery's targets.

Outlook

Cotchery's probably the safest fantasy option of all the Jets players. He's a very good bet to pull in 1,000 yards and 80 receptions if he stays healthy, and he'll grab a handful of touchdowns. He's not going to get 1400 receiving yards, but he won't end up with 800 either. After the top-15 or so wide receivers are off the board, Cotchery has the lowest downside of any of the remaining receivers. Cotchery has more value in PPR leagues, as he's recorded 82 receptions each of the past two years. While he's averaged fewer than 14 YPR every season to date, he should top that this year as the subtraction of Justin McCareins and the addition of Dustin Keller should mean Cotchery will be the offense's main deep threat.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Cotchery was the possession receiver for the Jets on Sunday, totaling nine targets on passes mainly in the middle of the field. He hauled in six of his nine targets for 57 yards and was looked upon in many key third down situations. Cotchery showed good ability to run after the catch as he fought for some very tough yardage through out the day tough.

Week 2 - Cotchery had a great game, and only got better as the quarters and minutes ticked by. His 165 yards were 41 yards better than his previous career high. He showed great toughness in multiple runs after the catch where he simply refused to be tackled, including a very impressive run where he held his would-be tackler at bay for an extra 15 yards or so. Clemens clearly developed a rapport with Cotchery, as his targets increased in each of the four quarters. He did all of his damage in the second half, catching seven of his eight targets during the Jets' rabid comeback attempt.

Week 3 - Just before halftime, a well covered Cotchery made a clean one handed catch just before he stepped out of bounds at the Miami four yard line, killing the clock with :02 left. It led to a New York touchdown on the next play and an eight point halftime lead. With the Jets ahead in the second half he was only targeted one more time.

Week 4 - Cotchery led the Jets with eight receptions for 106 yards. His 28 yard reception is Chad Pennington's longest completion of the season.

Cotchery had one carry on an end around. The defense snuffed out the play for a two yard loss.

Week 5 - Cotchery saw the second most targets of any Jets' receiver bringing in four of his 11 targets for 31 yards. He was the intended target on all three of Pennington's interceptions and could have had a much more productive day receiving.

Week 6 - Cotchery saw six total targets, which he made the most of by grabbing five of them for 75 yards. He was open most of the day in open space and provided some great yardage after the catch. Cotchery also added 14 yards on an end around in which he made some very nice moves.

Week 7 - Cotchery was not involved much in the offense, but did produce a touchdown reception on a Hail Mary at the end of the game, making his game look better than it should have been. Pennington seemed to prefer to go to the speedy Coles against Cincinnati.

Week 8 - Cotchery saw a team high eight targets and was able to bring in five of them for 47 yards. He was open underneath for most of the game as a banged up Laveranues Coles saw most of the coverage from the Bills.

Week 9 - Cotchery led the team in receptions and yardage, and co-led the team in targets with Brad Smith. He made lots of tough grabs and showed decent run after the catch ability. Seven of his 11 looks came after halftime. He lost a fumble on a challenged play where he caught the ball and was immediately struck by two defenders and the ball popped out.

Week 11 - Clemens had a tough time connecting with Cotchery although he certainly tried. With Coles limited the Steelers sometimes rolled to Cotchery's side and sometimes the passes were not accurate. In the fourth quarter, Clemons' pass for Cotchery along the left sidelines was intercepted. It seemed like Cothcery was not expecting the ball. On the Jets' next possession he caught his first pass of the game.

Week 12 - Cotchery was largely ineffective as he found it difficult to get open. A couple of his targets were thrown away from him, as he did not separate from his defender. He displayed excellent hands on the two receptions he had, including one when he was double-covered.

Week 14 - Cotchery's return was a solid one, showing no lingering effects as he came up with a couple of early catches and built on the afternoon as Clemens' favorite deep receiver, however couldn't find the end zone despite multiple targets there, one of which was intercepted.

Week 15 - Cotchery saw eight targets against the New England secondary as he moved the chains and brought in six balls form 53 yards. He used his toughness and speed to gain good yardage after the catch and prove to be a difficult body to bring down.

Week 16 - Cotchery had a break out game as he caught eight of his nine targets for 152 yards and a touchdown. He was the clear option for Pennington, as he led the team in targets yet again and was able to find space all day against the Titans secondary. On the Jets lone scoring play of the game, Pennington was able to find Cotchery in the back of the end zone for a nine yard scoring play. The subsequent extra point was then blocked and the Jets were unable to put points on the board the rest of the game.

Week 17 - Cotchery had another solid game, seeing a team high, 10 targets, and bringing in eight of them for 76 yards. He was effective on all of his routes and again was a key component in moving the chains and winning the time of possession battle.