With training camp just a few weeks away, the AFC East blog continues its look at players in the division who are on the roster bubble.
Next, we take a look at New York Jets guard and former second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse.
Reason for hope: The best thing we can say about Ducasse is his high draft status. Teams do not like giving up on second-round picks. There's always the optimism in New York that, at some point, the light will come on for Ducasse and he will finally live up to his potential. Ducasse struggled again last year in limited playing time and continues to be a raw project. But the Jets need depth on the offensive line. Perhaps a new West Coast offense can spark something in Ducasse that we have not seen in the past.
Reason for concern: To put it bluntly, Ducasse is a draft bust. The Jets gave him three years to develop, and he has not shown the type of strides the team was hoping for. Ducasse lost his biggest supporter in New York when former general manager Mike Tannenbaum was fired after last season. New Jets general manager John Idzik did not pick Ducasse in the second round and does not have the same ties. Ducasse must show he is ready to play this year or the Jets will move on.
Chances of making 53-man roster: 40 percent