New York Jets' Top Needs, Fits for 2015 NFL Draft to Build for the Future
With the NFL draft less than a month away, the time is now to get caught up on all the prospects who could be going to the New York Jets.
A good place to start is with the positions of need. At this point, we're all aware that the Jets need a quarterback and an edge defender/pass-rusher—and if you're not, hello down there underneath that rock you've been living under. The less obvious needs are at guard, running back, free safety, offensive tackle, tight end and, yes, even cornerback.
The next step is to find the players who best fit the Jets system—and make no mistake, there are plenty of good players who just won't be good fits. That being said, it's also difficult to get a clear read on what the Jets' offensive system will be, since offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has been known to switch things up, depending on his personnel.
It will be much easier to get a feel for the scheme on defense, where new head coach Todd Bowles brings his aggressive 3-4 scheme to a team that's been built in the mold of an aggressive 3-4 scheme for years under Rex Ryan.
Here's a look at some of the players who should be fits at the Jets' biggest positions of need.
Quarterback
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Might as well start at the top.
The Jets need a quarterback. It's that simple.
In a best-case scenario, Chan Gailey can work his magic to make a legitimate NFL quarterback out of Geno Smith and help him develop into the player the Jets' brass hoped he'd be when they took him in the second round.
In a second-best-case scenario, Ryan Fitzpatrick recovers quickly from a leg injury and gets back on the practice field just in time to beat out Smith for the job, giving the Jets a serviceable quarterback for 2015.
But if the Jets put all their eggs in that basket, they could be left wiping egg of their faces after a disappointing 2015 season, despite all they've done to put this team in position to win now.
Jameis Winston, Florida State
The prize pony of the 2015 NFL draft class, former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion quarterback Jameis Winston has experience in a pro-style offense and athleticism that makes him a great dual-threat quarterback. He has the arm to make all the throws, and he's considered to have a high football IQ, but the questions rise when he gets too confident in his arm and makes costly mistakes.
There are more red flags than in Russia when it comes to Winston's personality. There are, of course, the well-known run-ins with the law but also some emotional outbursts on the field. Winston looks like the most NFL-ready passer in this year's group. That being said, the Jets would probably have to trade up to the first overall pick in order to grab him.
Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Chan Gailey has made lemonade out of quarterback lemons in the past, but Oregon's Marcus Mariota is far from a lemon. He has great athletic ability that could help him be a quality dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. Some scouts critique him for the offense that he played in at Oregon, which often created wide-open receivers and did not force him to fit the ball into the tight windows he'll often see in the NFL.
That being said, if you're going to draft a quarterback at the No. 6 overall spot, you had better be ready to build your offense around maximizing his strengths. He has a nice quick release, good pocket awareness and an ability to make off-balance throws and climb the pocket when trouble is near him. He'll take some developing, but Mariota could turn out to be the better of the top two quarterbacks.
Brett Hundley, UCLA
If the Jets don't mind taking a year or two to develop a quarterback, UCLA's Brett Hundley could be a nice addition. Like Mariota, Hundley has the kind of athleticism that could make him dangerous when he gets outside of the pocket. That being said, he hasn't shown the ability to beat defenses from the pocket, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
Zierlein adds that 54 percent of Hundley's throws traveled six yards or fewer downfield, and 29 percent were behind the line of scrimmage. Gailey has dealt with quarterbacks who struggle to throw downfield but nothing like this. If the Jets feel he has the tools to improve as a passer, they could take a chance on him in the second or third round, but he may prove to be more lemon than Gailey can handle.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
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Quarterback is need No. 1. Defensive end/outside linebacker is easily No. 1a.
Sure, Calvin Pace could still be serviceable even at 34 years old, even though he's only posted six sacks or more once in the past five years. Yes, Quinton Coples is showing signs of development (finally) and could be a great fit in Todd Bowles' defense.
But no, the Jets should not rest on their laurels at the position. The time is now to add depth, young players who can develop into stars in the Jets' new-ish defense.
Shane Ray, Missouri
Missouri has been a factory for pass-rushing prospects in recent years, pumping out Sean Weatherspoon, Aldon Smith, Kony Ealy and Michael Sam in recent years, but Missouri's Shane Ray may be the best of them. At 6'3" and 245 pounds, he's a bit smaller than the Jets might like at outside linebacker, but his explosive first step may be great enough to make up for it.
He's so athletic, in fact, that CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler and Rob Rang wonder whether he is "overly reliant on" his athleticism to win matchups. If he can improve his technique and convert some of that athleticism to coverage responsibilities, Ray could develop into a top-notch 3-4 outside linebacker for years to come.
Vic Beasley, Clemson
If it's an explosive athlete off the edge the Jets want, that's exactly what they'll get with Clemson's Vic Beasley. He may not be the ideal size for a 3-4 outside linebacker, at 6'3" and 246 pounds, but he put on a clinic of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing in the top five in every exercise he participated in.
According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, he compiled 52.5 tackles for loss, 33 sacks, 29 quarterback pressures, 11 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and two touchdowns at Clemson. If he can bring even a portion of that production with him in his first four years with the Jets, Bowles will be glad they took him.
Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
Like Beasley, Fowler is also not the ideal size for a 3-4 edge defender at 6'3" and 261 pounds, but with 33 3/4" arms, he can still keep blockers at bay. The question with Fowler is exactly how he projects in the NFL. He has played all over the field and hasn't had an opportunity to distinguish himself at one position or hone his craft.
That being said, given some time to master the art of rushing the passer from a two-point stance as an outside linebacker, Fowler could prove to be a great fit. He has drawn comparisons to Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack, and after the rookie season he just had, the Jets should be chomping at the bit to get their hands on Fowler.
Free Safety
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The Jets do not plan on running a defense that does not include a free safety this year. I only state this because the Jets seem to indicate that's exactly what they plan on doing. They not only failed to sign a free safety this offseason so far, but they also bolstered the strong safety spot by adding Marcus Gilchrist.
Granted, the Jets seem to think that Gilchrist will play free safety and allow Calvin Pryor to return to his strong suit at strong safety, but Gilchrist's coverage abilities leave a lot to be desired—and the Jets will be desiring a different free safety if Gilchrist is left alone in deep coverage frequently.
Cody Prewitt, Mississippi
If you want a big-bodied free safety, look no further than Mississippi's Cody Prewitt. At 6'2" and 208 pounds, he has the size to tower over receivers trying to catch passes over his head. His strength is in zone coverage, where he can cover deep or play "robber" by closing down on passes over the middle. With 32 5/8" arms, he can even be used in press coverage if need be.
The questions lie in his below-average athleticism. He ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, the sixth-slowest time among safeties, and put up only 11 reps on the bench press.
He may be able to help himself with film room work, where scouts say he shines, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. But if he truly would benefit from having an "attacking defensive front and aggressive cornerbacks," New York may be the perfect fit.
Damarious Randall, Arizona State
At 5'11" and 196 pounds, Arizona State's Damarious Randall may be a little small for a free safety. He does, however, have an ideal physical skill set as he showed at the scouting combine, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and a 6.83-second three-cone drill, exhibiting both the long speed and change-of-direction ability he'll need in order to excel in deep coverage in the NFL.
Some teams are projecting him at cornerback, according to Zierlein, but he has already shown the tackling ability and toughness he'll need to mix it up in run support as well as the awareness to get an early beat on a pass when he's in coverage.
Derron Smith, Fresno State
Size isn't everything at safety; sometimes, it's more important to have the instincts and awareness to keep control on the back end and prevent big plays. That's what Fresno State's Derron Smith brings to the table.
He can play either near the line or in deep coverage and could also cover tight ends and slot receivers in certain situations. He sometimes takes undue chances, but that may actually be a good thing in Todd Bowles' defense.
One thing the Jets may like about him that others may not: NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to Marcus Gilchrist. If the Jets truly like Gilchrist in that deep-coverage role, Smith may be a perfect backup to complement him on the depth chart while growing into the role in the long term.
Guard
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The Jets already took measures to improve their offensive line this offseason by adding former Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter, but they can't be done yet. Not if they want to put the long-term future of the right guard spot in the hands of Willie Colon (aka "Mr. One-Year Deal"), Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi.
Luckily for the Jets, there are plenty of prospects available who can add some toughness to the inside of the Jets' offensive line for a long time to come.
A.J. Cann, South Carolina
Big bodies everywhere. This year's class of guards consists of one massive guy after another. South Carolina's A.J. Cann is the highest-rated of those big guys, but he's not the biggest of them. He's 6'3" and 313 pounds, and he knows how to use his frame by getting low on defensive linemen and driving them back by using his knees.
Cann excels in power-blocking assignments, but he's not lacking in ability to block on the move. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein credits Cann as a "fluid mover in [the] screen game [who] can make blocks on the move laterally." In Chan Gailey's offense, Cann will probably be asked to put his full range of skills to use each week.
Laken Tomlinson, Duke
As we go further down the draft board, the guards get bigger and bigger. The next on the list is Duke's Laken Tomlinson, who stands 6'3" and weighs 323 pounds as of the scouting combine. The four-year starter has all the tools a coach would want in a power-blocking interior lineman, with the low pad level and "sand in his pants" he needs to dominate whoever stands in front of him.
That being said, he won't be able to contribute much when he has to move out in front of a play, due to a lack of range and athleticism that Zierlein calls "a major concern." The Jets don't appear to be too concerned with that, though, otherwise why would they have re-signed the unathletic mauler Willie Colon?
Tre' Jackson, Florida State
At 6'4" and 330 pounds, the guards don't get much bigger than Florida Stae's Tre' Jackson in this year's draft class. The unanimous 2014 All-American looks imposing and has a play demeanor to match. He doesn't lose ground to bull-rushers too often and has good balance to maintain blocks even after he loses leverage.
Like Tomlinson, though, the problem comes when Jackson is asked to move. He is not nearly as effective in space as he can be in a phone booth, but he has a little more quickness to pull in short areas. If used correctly, Jackson could be an effective interior lineman for years to come.
Running Back
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With Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell on the roster, the Jets don't need just any running back. They need a specific kind of back, one who can provide an explosive big-play threat, contribute on passing downs and take the occasional draw run up the middle.
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
There's a chance that Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon could be one of two running backs who could be selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. That's unprecedented, given the fact that we've not seen any running backs taken in the first round since 2012, when three were off the board in the first 32 picks.
He's a bit taller than the Jets might like at 6'1", and he has already taken a lot of tread off his tires in the past two seasons with 549 carries, but he's a home run hitter when he gets to the open field, as evidenced by his average of 7.8 yards per carry and his nation-high 29 rushing touchdowns and 32 total touchdowns in 2014. He's inexperienced in the passing game, but he has the tools to excel in that role.
Tevin Coleman, Indiana
If the Jets don't mind waiting until the second round for their running back, Indiana's Tevin Coleman might be exactly what they're looking for. He's not a talented between-the-tackles runner, and while he's a violent runner, he tries too hard to hit the home run every time.
He's been highly productive in his college career, with 401 carries for 2,994 yards and 27 touchdowns in the past two seasons, but he's also added 44 receptions for 334 yards in that span as well; with his soft hands and willingness to square up on pass-rushers when he's asked to pass-protect, the Jets would find a role for him in their offense in no time.
Duke Johnson, Miami
Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin reported the New York Jets were interested in Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller this offseason. Miami's Duke Johnson may be the next best thing. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein pegged him as "one of the most explosive runners in college football during his time at Miami" and lauds his explosive quickness and elusiveness.
He's compact at 5'9" and 207 pounds, making him harder to tackle, thanks to his low pad level and lower center of gravity. The Jets should not be expecting him to help much in terms of running between the tackles, as Zierlein also comments that Johnson lacks the vision it takes to be effective running inside. If they want a lift on passing downs, though, Johnson may be the way to go.
Offensive Tackle
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Do the Jets really need an offensive tackle? When you look at the roster, they already have D'Brickashaw Ferguson on the left and Breno Giacomini on the right. Their need for a tackle would be dependent more on their comfort level with Giacomini and the long-term availability of Ferguson. Giacomini struggled in his first year with the Jets, and while Ferguson hasn't dipped yet, he's 31, and his time could be coming.
Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Some scouts disagree on the best projection for Iowa's Brandon Scherff. CBSSports.com's scouting report lists him as a tackle, where he played in college, but NFL.com has projected Scherff to guard. Either way, the Jets would be able to find a home for him in their offensive line.
At 6'5" and 319 pounds, he has the frame of a tackle, but while he has the athleticism to play on an island, he has the toughness and physicality to play on the inside. There are some holes in his pass protection, though, so while he could round out his game in time, perhaps a move inside would be in his best interest for the immediate future.
Andrus Peat, Stanford
When you see a 6'7", 313-pound man staring at you, your first thought will probably be "Oh crap, don't make this guy mad." Your second thought may be, "Wow, he looks like an NFL offensive tackle." Those are the measurements of Stanford tackle Andrus Peat, and his 34 3/8" arms only add to the impressive frame.
Peat is a moldable mountain of man, and NFL.com's Lance Zierlein describes him as "big and powerful with a right tackle's play strength and demeanor but enough foot quickness to protect on the left side." Whether the Jets see him filling in for Giacomini in the near future or Ferguson in the distant future, they could grab him now and watch him evolve into a top-flight tackle.
D.J. Humphries, Florida
Much like Peat, Florida's D.J. Humphries just has the look of an NFL offensive tackle. At 6'5" and 307 pounds, sporting 33 5/8" arms, Humphries has all the tools to wall off defenders trying to set the edge and the "nasty play demeanor" to go with it, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
Coincidentally enough, Zierlein also compared Humphries to Ferguson, which bodes well for the young prospect's ability to fill in for the Jets veteran one day down the line. If he can channel his aggression and stay patient instead of lunging at the first sight of excitement, he'll be one of the better tacklers to come out of this class.
Tight End
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Yes, the Jets just drafted Jace Amaro in the second round last year, but no, they should not be content to stay put with their tight ends. Jeff Cumberland is entering a contract year, but his role in the offense could be in jeopardy with a new coaching staff in the fold.
Whether it's another pass-catching tight end to pair with Amaro and cause defenses fits or if it's a blocking tight end who can complement Amaro's receiving ability, the Jets could benefit from adding another to the group.
Maxx Williams, Minnesota
If the Jets want a player who could easily be confused for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Minnesota's Maxx Williams is the easy choice. The 6'4", 249-pounder is an athletic freak, running a 4.78-second 40-yard dash and posting a 34.5" vertical jump, 9'9" broad jump and 4.37-second 20-yard shuttle at the scouting combine.
He was primarily used as a move tight end, but he has the speed to beat linebackers and safeties on seam routes, and the size to win in the red zone. According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, 82 percent of his catches were for either a first down or a touchdown. The Jets could use that kind of production in their anemic passing game (32nd in the NFL in 2014).
Clive Walford, Miami
The 2015 draft class is not short on big-bodied tight ends, and Miami's Clive Walford is another example. At 6'4" and 251 pounds sporting 34" arms, Walford has all the traits of a tight end who can both create mismatches in the passing game and hold his own against defensive ends and linebackers in the running game.
Walford may not be a physical specimen from an athleticism perspective, but he ran a very respectable 4.79-second 40-yard dash and posted a 35" vertical leap and 10' broad jump; If he can work on eliminating the focus drops (10 from 2012-2013, according to Lance Zierlein), he'll be a weapon for the Jets no matter who the signal-caller may be.
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Oh, what do you know, another massive man playing tight end. Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman checks in at 6'5" and 254 pounds with 33 1/4" arms. His stock was high entering the 2014 season after posting 26 catches for 466 yards and four touchdowns the year before, but his production went way down (17 catches, 207 yards, two touchdowns) while he dealt with a foot injury and a quarterback change.
He may always be more of a blocking tight end than a pass-catching one, but that may be just what the Jets need, with the pass-catching tight end threat coming from Amaro.
Cornerback
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So it may be a stretch to say the Jets "need" a cornerback, based on their big-time spending spree this offseason, but if they want to add someone to the group who can round out the depth chart for the long term, this would be as good a time as any.
That way, this year's rookie wouldn't have to immediately be a big-time contributor in the secondary, and he could instead take a back seat to Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, while learning from those two and honing his own craft in the process.
Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Michigan State's Trae Waynes is the consensus top cornerback in the class, and most Jets fans would probably throw a hissy fit if he's the selection in the first round, with more pressing needs at defensive end/outside linebacker and at quarterback. But Waynes' upside is unmatched by any cornerback in this year's class.
The 6'0", 186-pounder put on a show at the scouting combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds and putting up 19 reps on the bench press, both among the top-five cornerbacks in Indianapolis. He is a bit too aggressive at times when running and covering, but if he can avoid drawing too many flags, his style of play is exactly what the Jets want from their cornerbacks: physical, tight coverage and great ball skills.
Jalen Collins, LSU
There may be some more talented prospects in this year's crop of cornerbacks, but not many of them are as perfect a fit for the Jets defense as LSU cornerback Jalen Collins. At 6'1" and 203 pounds with 32 1/8" arms, Collins is the prototype for a boundary press-man cornerback.
That being said, he's not limited to strictly man coverage. He can also sink into zone coverage, with the quick-twitch capability to close off windows in a hurry. His length and overall frame help him break up 50-50 balls that some other cornerbacks will miss. At this point, he only has 10 career starts to his name and relies on talent over technique, but with coaching and experience, he has the tools to be great.
Marcus Peters, Washington
There is a certain profile for a Jets cornerback at this point. Rex Ryan liked big, physical press-man cover cornerbacks, and Todd Bowles likes them almost exactly the same. At 6'0" and 197 pounds, Washington's Marcus Peters has Jets size and skills, with the length to reroute receivers to the sideline and force them out of bounds or at least limit the window through which a pass can be completed.
If the Jets are going to use a draft pick on Peters, though, they'll have to be confident they can harness his attitude. He was suspended for a game after being ejected for a sideline outburst, and he was eventually dismissed from the team after multiple run-ins with the coaching staff.
Unless otherwise noted, all scouting combine information and draft notes provided by NFL.com and CBSSports.com.
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