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5 New York Jets Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

5 New York Jets Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

Todd Bowles
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets are hoping to turn things around during the 2015 season under new head coach Todd Bowles. They have put together an impressive defense, and they have a solid offense put together as well. If they want to reach those goals and become a playoff contender, they will need their entire roster to step up and play to their full potential. These five players in particular must step up during 2015 OTAs.

5. Dee Milliner, CB

Dee Milliner
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dee Milliner, CB

Dee Milliner
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Dee Milliner was drafted to help recover from the loss of Darrelle Revis a couple years back, but he has yet to show starting potential. Now that the Jets have brought back Revis and Antonio Cromartie, Milliner has to step up this offseason and earn playing time as the third corner. Last season he played in just three games, and there are quite a few question marks surrounding him coming into the 2015 season.

4. Quinton Coples, LB

Quinton Coples
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Quinton Coples, LB

Quinton Coples
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the New York Jets have hired new head coach Todd Bowles, they are going to have a new defensive scheme in place. Quinton Coples recorded 37 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble last season, but he will need to come up with a better season in 2015. He has leadership ability, and will need to step up and show it this offseason in order to earn that role.

3. Bryce Petty, QB

Bryce Petty
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bryce Petty, QB

Bryce Petty
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets have had an issue at the quarterback position for the last couple seasons, and rookie Bryce Petty has a chance to earn playing time in his rookie year. He has all of the tools to become a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, but it all starts with his first offseason. Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick are tough competition, but Petty has every chance to make a run at the job himself.

2. Zac Stacy, RB

Zac Stacy
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Zac Stacy, RB

Zac Stacy
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Zac Stacy was traded by the St. Louis Rams to the New York Jets after the Rams selected Todd Gurley in the 2015 NFL Draft. He simply didn't work out in St. Louis, but there is no question that Stacy has the talent and potential to start for the Jets. If he's going to become the starter, he is going to need to step up and have a big offseason to beat out Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Stevan Ridley.

1. Eric Decker, WR

Eric Decker
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Eric Decker, WR

Eric Decker
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

One name that may not come to mind immediately is wide receiver Eric Decker. He was signed last offseason after impressing with the Denver Broncos and ended up catching 74 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns. Now that the Jets have acquired Brandon Marshall and drafted Devin Smith, Decker has to step up and prove himself again as the No. 2 wide receiver.

Evan Massey is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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