Vyncint Smith is predicting “a big year” for himself in 2020, and his experience with Gang Green may just help him make that proclamation come true.
Smith has only been with the Jets since the end of last September. However, his 13 games with the team are more than any other outside receiver on New York’s active roster. Free agent acquisition Breshad Perriman and rookie Denzel Mims figure to start on the outside, but Smith has a leg up on the depth chart when it comes to locking down the WR4 spot behind them and slot man Jamison Crowder. With more familiarity in Adam Gase’s offense, Smith naturally has an edge over the likes of Josh Doctson, Jeff Smith, Josh Malone, Jehu Chesson, George Campbell and Lawrence Cager as they all prepare for training camp.
With no spring practices and a shortened training camp, the Jets have made do with the available resources. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson has tried to liven up virtual meetings with his position group by creating games of Jeopardy and Kahoot. While that will certainly help the Jets wideouts learn the offense, it’s not the same as catching passes from Sam Darnold.
That’s where Smith’s experience comes into play. Like Perriman, Smith is a fast runner with a similar skillset to free agent departure Robby Anderson. Gase has already envisioned Perriman being an “explosive” fit in his offense. Smith could be too if New York gives him more looks in 2020.
During his short time with the Texans, Smith earned a reputation as a speedster, backing up his 4.38 40-yard dash time. Smith has also already given the Jets coaching staff a glimpse of what he can do with the ball in his hands. During a 31-6 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2019, Smith scored a 19-yard touchdown on a designed run. His top speed reached 22.01 miles per hour.
Fortunately for the third-year wide receiver out of Limestone College, Smith has already built a rapport with Darnold. In 2019, after being signed off the Texans practice squad, Smith caught 17 passes for 225 yards. Only 60 percent of the Jets’ offense is returning, with Smith being among those who have a familiarity with Gase’s offense. While that short experience wouldn’t hold much weight in an open competition, all bets are off with how little preparation time the Jets may get between facilities officially opening and the first game of the 2020 season.
Those 13 games that separate Smith from the other outside receivers could pay dividends for him and New York. If nothing else, it gives him a clear advantage when the training camp battles begin.