Wide receiver Percy Harvin has dealt with injuries throughout his career.
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It took until Week 7 of the season for the Jets to finally get a legitimate playmaker for their offense, but they did in a major way.
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Jets have sent a conditional draft pick to the Seahawks for wide receiver Percy Harvin. When healthy, Harvin is a dynamic athlete with top-end speed who can stretch defenses and make plays happen in the open-field. He comes to a Jets team in desperate need of his abilities.
The Jets (1-6) have struggled to move the ball, with the league’s fourth-worst passing offense. In particular, big plays through the air have eluded the Jets, allowing teams to stack the box with eight players. Harvin brings big-play potential and a major boost on special teams. His presence on the field should balance the offense, which has been overly reliant on running back Chris Ivory and short passing gains.
The Seahawks traded for Harvin before last season, sending three picks to the Vikings for him. He played in just one regular season game but gave Seattle a major lift in the playoffs, especially in the Super Bowl when he had 137 all-purpose yards.
In Thursday night’s 27-25 loss at the Patriots, it took until the midway point of the fourth quarter for a Jets wide receiver other than Eric Decker to register a catch. The Jets signed Decker to be their No. 1 wide receiver this offseason, and Harvin gives them a legitimate second option alongside Jeremy Kerley in the slot.
While the margin for error is slim now – one more loss might doom them from the postseason – Harvin can help the Jets down the road at just 26 years old. The pick is reportedly a mid-round selection and Harvin, while under contract until 2018, is not due any more guaranteed money after this season.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
