Breaking down the New York Jets' roster, unit by unit, in preparation for training camp:
Position: Tight end
Projected starter: Jeff Cumberland
Projected backup: Jace Amaro
Notables on the bubble: Kellen Davis, Steve Maneri
Player to watch: Amaro's honeymoon is over, and it's time to justify his second-round draft status. He led rookie tight ends with 38 receptions in 2014, but his first season wasn't a home run. Not only did he drop too many balls (six drops in 52 targets), but he failed to demonstrate any special qualities as a pass receiver (only 9.1 yards per catch). He was a pass-catching machine at Texas Tech, setting records, but that was an uptempo, high-volume offense. Amaro gets a mulligan because of the learning curve in a pro-style offense, but he should be more comfortable in Year 2. He will be used in an H-Back role, which will allow him to move around the formation.
Top storyline: It'll be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey deploys his tight ends. In his previous gig (Buffalo Bills, 2010-12), Gailey liked to spread the field with wide receivers, but maybe that was because he didn't like his personnel at tight end. He should figure out a way to use Amaro in the red zone. At 6-foot-5, Amaro could be a weapon. He was targeted only nine times last season inside the 20.
Training camp will be a success if ...: Amaro and the "B" word aren't appearing in the same sentence. He opened himself up to criticism by questioning the methods of former Jets coach Rex Ryan, who has fired back on multiple occasions. If you're going to talk, you'd better back it up on the field. Circle this date on the calendar: Nov. 12. That's when the Jets meet the Bills for the first time. Basically, Ryan has put a target on Amaro's back.
Wild card: Two years ago, Davis played for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. It wasn't a big role (15 percent of the offensive snaps), but it was something. He has bounced around the league -- this is his fifth team in three years -- but he'll get a chance to stick as the No. 3 tight end, especially with Zach Sudfeld (knee) out for the season. Davis won't be a factor in the passing game, but he's big (6-7, 265 pounds) and he can block. Yes, he plays special teams, too.
By the numbers: The Jets' tight ends combined for a league-high 10 drops last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They were targeted only 102 times. Do the math; it wasn't pretty.