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
1 of 7
| 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
2 of 7
| 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
3 of 7
| 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.
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Round 4
4 of 7
| 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
5 of 7
| 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
6 of 7
| 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
7 of 7
| 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.
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