New York Jets' Initial 2015 Round-by-Round Draft Big Board

As the New York Jets inch closer to hiring a new general manager, they are just a few weeks away from setting up their preliminary draft boards. 

The most successful drafting teams have a plan for every round—which is exactly what these following slides will provide in the early stages of the draft process.

Early in the draft, adding specific impact players who address need positions is much more of a priority. As the rounds wear on, simply finding useful players at bargain prices is the goal. 

Here is an initial Jets round-by-round big board.

Round 1

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Player	Position	School
Jameis Winston	QB	Florida State
Marcus Mariota	QB	Oregon
Amari Cooper	WR	Alabama
Randy Gregory	DE	Nebraska
Brandon Scherff	OT	Iowa

The Jets are in a very uncertain position as the owners of the sixth overall selection. With at least three teams selecting ahead of them in need of a quarterback (Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers), the odds of them landing a top quarterback are bleak at best. 

The Jets should be able to land a top player at a position of need regardless of how the top five picks shake out, but they may be just out of range for receiver Amari Cooper.

Odds are, the Jets will find themselves choosing between either an offensive lineman or an outside linebacker, both of which are underrated needs, even though they are only losing one offensive lineman, guard Willie Colon, in free agency. Iowa's Brandon Schreff would be able to play guard as a rookie and eventually kick back out to tackle as D'Brickashaw Ferguson continues to decline. 

Both starting outside linebackers, Quinton Coples and Caivin Pace, are set to hit free agency in 2016—they may as well address the need before it becomes an emergency situation. If available, Randy Gregory may be an ideal fit in a 4-3 scheme if the Jets wind up making a scheme change. 

Round 2

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Player	Position	School
Jaelen Strong	WR	Arizona State
Marcus Peters	CB	Washington
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu	CB	Oregon
A.J. Cann	G	Virginia
Cody Prewitt	FS	Florida State

Unlike the first round, the Jets will have a chance to attack a need of their choosing with their second-round pick with so much more worthy talent at this point in the draft. 

Unless they are able to snag Amari Cooper with the top pick, Arizona's Jaelen Strong would be an excellent consolatory prize as a physical receiver who can make catches in traffic, helping the Jets' horrendous red-zone offense. 

However, the Jets cannot wait too long to address their cornerback position. Even if Dee Milliner returns healthy and plays at a Pro Bowl level, undrafted free agent Marcus Williams is penciled in as the second starter, who, although he played well in his limited action, has yet to be tested over a 16-game season. 

Fans may be applauding Kyle Wilson's inevitable departure in free agency, but they will need to find a replacement for him in the slot. 

Marcus Peters is the most talented cornerback in this year's class, but a midseason dismissal from Washington will sound off alarm bells, potentially dropping his stock to the second round. Meanwhile, while not quite the talent that Peters is from a size perspective, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is a versatile corner who can play in both a man and zone scheme.

Round 3

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Player	Position	School
Kevin Johnson	CB	Wake Forest
Jose Matias	G	Florida State
Denzel Perryman	ILB	Miami
Bryce Petty	QB	Baylor
Quinten Rollins	CB	Miami (OH)

The Jets can essentially use the same strategy as Round 2: taking the best player at the need position they have yet to address, whether it be a receiver, cornerback or offensive lineman. 

If he lasts until the third round, Kevin Johnson is a supremely athletic corner with a ton of upside in a man or zone-heavy scheme, making him an excellent option if the Jets have yet to add a cornerback at this point.

The Jets can also start to focus on "non-elite" positions, such as guard. Jose Matias has a ton of athleticism, making him an excellent pass-protector. While not a bulldozer in the run game, his ability in protection make him a potential Week 1 starter. 

One of the most underrated needs on the team is at inside linebacker, where both longtime starter David Harris and special teams captain Nick Bellore is set to hit free agency. Nabbing the Miami Hurricanes' defensive leader, Denzel Perryman, this late in the draft is robbery. 

This is an area of the draft where the developmental quarterback comes into play. If the Jets miss out on Winston or Mariota, the strong-armed Bryce Petty may be worth the investment in the third round to give the team an option besides Geno Smith and Matt Simms.

Round 4

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Player	Position	School
Kevin White	CB	TCU
David Cobb	RB	Minnesota
Ramik Wilson	ILB	Georgia
Charles Gaines	CB	Louisville
Steven Nelson	CB	Oregon State

This draft may not be loaded with many elite, Patrick Peterson-level prospects; but what it lacks in elite skill is made up for with depth in the middle rounds. This is an ideal area of the draft for the Jets to address their need at slot cornerback. 

Kevin White of TCU sits at the top of the board for this very reason. Limited by size, White is an extremely athletic player who can change direction in a hurry, which projects well in the slot. 

Meanwhile, the similarly skilled Steven Nelson is a press-man specialist whose toughness would fit at either cornerback spot. 

This late in the draft, the Jets can begin to address positions that are in need of depth, starting with running back. With Bilal Powell entering free agency and Chris Johnson a potential cap casualty, the all-around runner David Cobb would give them some insurance. 

Meanwhile, Ramik Watson has a lot of upside as a coverage inside linebacker, an area where both Demario Davis and David Harris have struggled.

Round 5

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Player	Position	School
Rory Anderson	TE	South Carolina
Durell Eskridge	FS	Syracuse
Austin Hill	WR	Arizona
Devante Davis	WR	UNLV
Martrell Spaight	ILB	Arkansas

The Jets have invested plenty in their tight end position after giving Jeff Cumberland an extension last offseason and drafting Jace Amaro in the second round, but neither player has been able to assert himself as the clear-cut starter. Adding a high-upside player like Rory Anderson will add a needed element of competition to get both players playing at their highest level. 

This is also an ideal spot to add another developmental safety behind the struggling Calvin Pryor and Antonio Allen. Syracuse's Durell Eskridge has all of the ball-hawking traits the Jets thought they were getting in Pryor. 

Even if they already added a receiver earlier in the draft, this is also an ideal area to start stockpiling depth at the position. Arizona's Austin Hill is more of a "possession" with a big frame (6'2", 210 lbs) and savvy route-running skills. 

At 6'3", 210 pounds Devante Davis is an even bigger problem than Hill in the red zone, excelling at catching the ball in traffic—a trait the Jets desperately need if he can improve on his route running.

Round 6

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Player	Position	School
Trey DePriest	ILB	Alabama
Levi Norwood	WR	Baylor
Tyrus Thompson	OT	Oklahoma
Bo Wallace	QB	Ole Miss
Adrian Amos	FS	Penn State

If the Jets want a young replacement for David Harris on the cheap, they should look no further than Tre DePriest—as long as they stay in a 3-4 alignment. A two-down run specialist, DePriest offers little in pass defense, limiting his value in today's NFL. 

Meanwhile, it has been a disappointing season for Levi Norwood from a statistical standpoint thanks to a wrist injury, but he still offers a lot of upside with good straight-line speed and an underrated ability to make a tough catch in traffic. 

This is also an excellent area of the draft to stock up on interior offensive line depth, especially given their precarious guard situation. While not spectacular in any particular area, Louisville center Jake Smith is a sound technician who could make a smooth transition to the pro game. 

The Jets can also address their looming tackle need with a player like Oklahoma's Tyrus Thompson. While he makes a lot of mental and technical mistakes, he has a lot of athletic ability that can be developed behind D'Brickashaw Ferguson. 

The Jets could also have a chance at another developmental quarterback in Ole Miss' Bo Wallace. He faces a steep learning curve coming from a spread offense, but he has a strong, accurate arm that gives him a heap of potential. 

Adrian Amos is an incredibly versatile defensive back having played every position in the secondary at one point in his Penn State career. After moving Antonio Allen all over the field last year, his scheme and positional flexibility would be welcomed.

Round 7

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Player	Position	School
Detrick Bonner	FS	Virginia Tech
Jermauria Rasco	DE	LSU
Troy Hill	CB	Oregon
Eric Lefeld	OT	Cincinnati
Brandon Ivory	DT	Alabama

At this point in the draft, the Jets are looking for core special teams players with enough upside to at least develop into role players. Getting anything more this late in the draft is a bonus. 

Virginia Tech's Detrick Bonner is a versatile defensive back who has experience at both cornerback and safety. Meanwhile, not quite as talented as his teammate, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Troy Hill is an intriguing prospect with his willingness to gamble on contested balls. 

Jermauria Rasco of LSU has some raw ability as a pass-rusher but will have to shake the "tweener" label before he can ever get a role in the base defense. 

With Kenrick Ellis headed for free agency, adding some depth behind the soon-to-be-tendered Damon Harrison can't hurt. Brandon Ivory is a human block-eater who can start out as a backup to Harrison in spot duty on run downs.