The Player

It's been a rough start to the sophomore campaign of Jace Amaro. The big, athletic tight end has struggled to find consistency this spring and summer, and was just listed as third on the depth chart heading into the first game of the preseason.

While depth charts at this point of the year are essentially meaningless, it continues the underachieving trend that has marked his short career.

A second round pick out of Texas Tech last season, Amaro checked in at 6'5, 265 pounds and was a top performer at the combine in every athletic measurable other than the three-cone-drill (which tests a players' agility).

After catching 106 passes as a college senior, Amaro's transition to the NFL was relatively mediocre. He caught 38 passes as a rookie for 345 yards and just a pair of touchdowns, and posted NEP scores in the same ballpark as Clay Harbor.

But as history has proven, the transition to the NFL is difficult for tight ends, and Amaro doesn't seem to be an exception. His physicality at the position and subpar blocking may keep him off the field, but his talent as a receiver is sorely needed on this team.

The Opportunity

Projected starter Jeff Cumberland is a reliable target at the tight end position, but doesn't offer the same ability that Amaro presents.

In 2014, Cumberland compiled a Reception NEP per target of just 0.41 on targets, which ranked 32nd in the NFL. Amaro finished with a 0.53, including a Success Rate that was 20 percent higher than Cumberland. And that was as a rookie.

While Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker should dominate targets in an average passing offense, Amaro has the talent to carve out a role as the third option in this passing attack.

Remember, Chan Gailey coaxed a 3,800 yard season out of Ryan Fitzpatrick using his spread offense approach, and made Tyler Thigpen into a functional weapon in 2008.

Watching a tight end struggle early in their career is not unique to Jace Amaro, and the young tight end is worth monitoring as he develops in this new system. If he can add a more physical dimension to his game, Amaro could be an effective player for this new-look Jets offense.