Jeff Cumberland

After three straight seasons recording at least 20 catches and 200 receiving yards, Cumberland barely showed up on the stat sheet for the Jets in 2015, recording just five catches for 77 yards. Signing a one-year deal with the Chargers during the offseason, Cumberland joins a mix of veterans and newcomers on the TE depth chart, but likely won't factor in much on offense once more.

A veteran tight end, Cumberland hauled in only half of his 46 targets last season, going for 247 yards on the campaign. Those totals were Cumberland’s lowest marks since 2011, and while he also scored three touchdowns, two of those came in relatively meaningless games for the Jets in the regular season’s final two weeks. Moreover, the Jets’ emphasis on upgrading at tight end resulted in the team drafting Jace Amaro in the second round last season. As Amaro grows in New York’s offense, Cumberland figures to see fewer targets, capping his already limited fantasy value.

In a timeshare for the second year in a row, Cumberland posted similar numbers to those of 2012, but he did it on 13 fewer targets as he was much more efficient. His 10.2 yards per target led the position among tight ends with at least 30 targets, and he ranked third with 15.1 yards per catch. Cumberland is fast, runs good routes and can outmuscle defensive backs at 6-4, 260. The Jets drafted Jace Amaro in the second round this year, but Cumberland likely will continue to start, at least to open the season. He's the better blocker, and Amaro, who played almost exclusively in the slot in college, is still learning to play as an in-line tight end. They're expected to be used often in double-TE sets, as the Jets rebuild a passing offense that ranked 31st in the league last year. That rebuilding includes wide receiver Eric Decker, who could stretch the field, opening things up underneath for the tight ends.

Normally it would be impressive for a tight end to be second on his team in receptions and receiving yards and tied for its most receiving touchdowns. Unless he's on the Jets. Cumberland ended the season with 29 grabs for 359 yards and three touchdowns while playing in place of the injured Dustin Keller. Now sitting atop the Jets' depth chart after Keller left for Miami, Cumberland should be more involved in the offense. Cumberland is quick off the line and has improved his blocking since coming into the league. The Jets signed Kellen Winslow just before press time, and the veteran, who saw only four offensive snaps last year, will compete with Cumberland for playing time in training camp.

Cumberland, now healed from a torn Achilles, will vie for his previous spot as the top backup to Dustin Keller in training camp.

Will compete with Keith Zinger for backup tight end duties