5 NFL Draft Prospects Jets Fans Should Already Be Watching

NFL draft season is still at least 12 weeks away for most teams, but the New York Jets are one of a handful of teams that can probably start thinking about the offseason already. 

The following list highlights five prospects who could be first-round targets of the Jets depending on where they end up making their first selection on April 30.

For the sake of this list, we'll assume the Jets are willing to give Geno Smith a third year to prove himself. However, it's entirely possible that a new regime will be brought to New York this offseason and decide to overhaul to roster, starting at quarterback. But that would produce an entirely different list, which can be addressed at a later date.

Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

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The Chris Johnson experiment has already failed, and since it will only cost $1.5 million to cut him loose this offseason, according to Spotrac, there's a decent chance he won't return to New York. 

Assuming the Jets are in the market for a new running back, the draft is probably the safer route to take this time. 

Todd Gurley, despite his recent suspension, remains the consensus top running back in this class, and it's likely to remain that way through April. 

After injuries slowed Gurley throughout the 2013 season, he has bounced back and fully lived up to expectations thus far in his junior year. His combination of size, quickness and vision puts him in the same class as Trent Richardson as a prospect, the last running back be selected in the top 10.

Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

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Aside from Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, not much is settled on the Jets' offensive line beyond this year. 

The Jets have already allowed 15 sacks this season—a number which would almost certainly be worse if not for the mobility of Geno Smith and Michael Vick. 

Brandon Scherff may not have the highest ceiling of the linemen in this class—Bleacher Report's Matt Miller recently reported some teams view him strictly as a guard due to shorter arms—however, he remains the most polished and NFL-ready prospect in this class. 

With Ferguson holding down the left tackle position for a few more years, Scherff could step into the starting role on the right side of the line in New York. 

Even if the Jets are one of the teams viewing Scherff as a guard, he still fills a need. Left guard Brian Winters has struggled and was recently placed on injured reserve, while right guard Willie Colon is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

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The addition of Eric Decker has certainly improved the talent around Geno Smith, but he still needs another weapon with which to work. 

It's tough for rookies to make an immediate impact at receiver, but Amari Cooper has the polished route-running technique that should allow him to compete right away. 

It's rare for a receiver of Cooper's size (6'1", 210 lbs) to crack the top 10 on draft day without also possessing elite speed, but Amari has the complete package of tools to make up for what he lacks physically. 

If the Jets could add Cooper to Decker and tight end Jace Amaro, Smith might finally be surrounded by the talent he needs to elevate his game. 

Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

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Jaelen Strong is not close to Amari Cooper in terms of his NFL-readiness. However, Strong possesses the size (6'3", 212 lbs) that Cooper lacks. 

While Cooper would be a nice addition, what Geno Smith really needs is a big, physical receiver who can make plays in traffic down the field. 

Strong has the physical skill set necessary to be the type of receiver who can be considered open even when he's locked in tight coverage. Much like Kelvin Benjamin for the Carolina Panthers, Strong can be an immediate weapon for the Jets due solely to his ability to win battles in traffic. 

Like Benjamin, Strong may make more rookie mistakes than a prospect like Cooper, but the immediate impact he has on the Jets offense may actually be greater due to his size.

Lorenzo Mauldin, DE/LB, Lousville

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The Jets pass rush has been solid this year. In fact, it's tied for second in the league with 19 sacks. 

However, the majority of the pressure is coming from the linemen, with relatively little production from the linebackers aside from 33-year-old Calvin Pace. 

In the second round, Lorenzo Mauldin could be the young, explosive edge-rusher the Jets need to add a new dimension to their pass rush. 

Mauldin may lack the production to contribute immediately as a three-down defender, but he would be an asset in New York as a situational pass-rusher while the coaches bring him along slowly in other areas of his game.