2015 NFL Draft: Offensive Weapons for Jets to Consider

It's officially NFL draft season for the New York Jets. And the primary job of the new coach and general manager will be to rebuild a floundering offense. 

Priority No. 1 will be to find a quarterback, but since we could spend an entire article dissecting their options, this slideshow will focus solely on the offensive weapons that could change the face of the Jets offense in 2015. 

With holes at every offensive position, the Jets could add multiple offensive prospects early in the draft. 

This slideshow will focus on prospects who could reasonably end up in New York on the first or second day of the NFL draft.

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

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No matter who is under center for the Jets in 2015, Amari Cooper can be a difference-maker. 

Cooper's best traits compare favorably to Odell Beckham Jr., and Cooper can find immediate success at the next level for the same reasons. 

While he lacks elite size (he's listed at 6'1" and 210 pounds) and his speed is modest by NFL standards, Cooper is a perfectionist when it comes to his route running. He is extremely efficient and quick in his cuts and knows how to do all the little things to get open. 

The vast majority of college receivers simply run their routes, but Cooper not only runs the routes but adds in the nuances that lose defensive backs at the next level. His ability to vary his acceleration and add subtle fakes within the stem of his route allows him to consistently create separation. 

Beckham quickly became one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL this past season due to these same skills, and it's reasonable to expect similar success from Cooper.

Given his elite talent, the Jets would need to target Cooper with the sixth pick. Even if they trade down, Cooper is unlikely to slide outside the top 10.

Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (Fla.)

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With a new regime coming in, it's reasonable to think Chris Johnson may not be back. (According to Spotrac, he'll count for $5.25 million against the cap in 2015.) 

If Johnson is gone, the Jets will need to find someone to share the load with Chris Ivory. 

Duke Johnson could be the perfect complement to Ivory's power-running style. He's undersized (listed at just 5'9") but is among the most explosive runners in this draft class. 

In addition to being a home run threat as a runner, Johnson would also be an additional weapon in the passing game. He hauled in 37 passes in 2014 and has experience catching the ball out of the backfield and lining up wide. 

Due to his limited size and history of injuries, it's likely Johnson will slide to the second day of the draft. If he's on the board, the Jets may consider him with the 37th pick.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

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If the Jets view Johnson as more of a complementary piece due to his limited size, they may have more interest in a workhorse running back such as Boise State's Jay Ajayi. 

Ajayi does not have special physical traits. He's fairly ordinary in terms of speed, power and agility. But he has been extremely productive due to his patience and vision, two traits that almost always carry over to the next level. 

He is also an asset in passing situations, having hauled in 67 passes over the past two seasons.

Unless the Jets make some moves on draft day, it may be difficult to land one of the elite running backs in this class, who are likely to go in the late first round. The smarter move may be waiting until the second or third round for a runner like Ajayi who can step into an immediate role, even if his long-term upside is modest.

With some minor adjustments to the offensive line, a backfield featuring Ivory and Ajayi could have success in 2015.

Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

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All things considered, Jace Amaro had a successful rookie year, so the Jets aren't in the market for a tight end early in the draft. However, Funchess is a unique talent who may be the perfect complement to the more traditional Amaro. 

The combination of Amaro and Funchess would be scarily similar to the talent the Patriots briefly found success with when lining up both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez at tight end. 

If the Jets bring in a rookie quarterback or continue developing Geno Smith, adding another possession receiver like Funchess would be a wise decision. Between Amaro, Eric Decker and Funchess, the Jets quarterback would have a strong stable of big weapons to look to when facing pressure. 

Funchess is a possible first-round pick, but there's a reasonable chance he falls to the second day. The Jets should consider him if he's still on the board when they pick at No. 37.

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Fla.)

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Phillip Dorsett is somewhat one-dimensional, so he may be a luxury pick, but the Jets offense is desperate for someone who can stretch the field. 

Percy Harvin has speed, but he is better at making plays after the catch than he is at breaking free down the field. In fact, even after the acquisition of Harvin, Decker led the Jets in targets beyond 20 yards down the field with 13 to Harvin's nine, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). 

Dorsett has many of the same physical traits as Saints rookie Brandin Cooks and, if surrounded by the right talent, could have a similar impact as a rookie. Dorsett is more of a pure deep threat than Cooks, however, which is the role in which he would be most valuable for the Jets.

Considering the Jets' myriad of issues on offense, adding Dorsett at pick No. 70 would seem to be a viable plan, even if they were to land a receiver such as Cooper or Funchess earlier in the draft.

Both the Bills and Dolphins continue making strides on offense to catch up with the Patriots, and it's time for the Jets to do the same, even if it means double-dipping on the wide receiver position early in the draft.