How the New York Jets Can Make the Most of Each 2015 Draft Pick
All eyes will be on general manager Mike Maccagnan this offseason, specifically when it’s draft time. The New York Jets will have the highest draft pick since having the fifth overall pick in 2009 when they traded up for Mark Sanchez.
Ironically, the Jets still have a quarterback issue but will likely miss out on Heisman winners Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. The sixth overall pick is a good spot for trading back and accumulating more picks or choosing the best player on the board.
Gang Green shouldn't address the two biggest needs, cornerback and quarterback, in the first round.
The secondary needs one or two veterans to lead the young crop of defensive backs on the roster instead of another hit-or-miss developing talent. Assuming Mariota and Winston are off the board by the sixth pick, none of the remaining QBs are first-round-caliber talents.
The X-factor that is Percy Harvin is also factored in as being released by the team. No, this hasn’t happened officially, but the Jets would have to be desperate to retain Harvin as the fourth highest-paid receiver in the league or structure his contract to anything close with an exorbitant amount of guaranteed money.
This year’s wide receiver class is rich in talent. New York should opt to draft a wide receiver at the top of the draft—a high-potential player without much baggage. The Jets would retain a fourth-round pick and lose a sixth-round pick if Harvin is released.
The following draft selections focus on positions the Jets need to fill or strengthen by the start of the 2015 season with the best possible draft selection for that position.
First-Round Pick: Wide Receiver
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Yes, the tiresome adage “defense wins Super Bowls” may be true.
A capable QB is also a much-needed ingredient for a Super Bowl champion. Just look at the last 10 Super Bowl winners, per NFL.com.
When a team doesn’t have a top-tier QB, an offense needs all the help it can get to be competitive, which happens to be the Jets' current reality.
Whether it's Geno Smith, a free-agent QB or a rookie in the draft, the signal-caller will need high-end skill players to help propel the offense.
Harvin has never accumulated more than six receiving touchdowns in a season, never played a full season in his seven-year career and could possibly become toxic in the locker room. No thanks.
GM Maccagnan should start with selecting an offensive skill player with a high ceiling to go along with the Jets' power rushing attack.
Amari Cooper will be the best player on the board at No. 6, if the Oakland Raiders bypass him for a defensive lineman. Jaelen Strong would be a great alternative if the Jets are interested in trading back and accumulating an extra draft pick.
Strong isn’t as polished as Cooper, but at 6’4” and with a great set of hands, his upside is limitless. At his size he’s a potential threat all over the field, especially in the red zone.
Best selection: Amari Cooper or Jaelen Strong
Second-Round Pick: Quarterback
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Brett Hundley declined an invitation to the Senior Bowl, per Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com. Don't drop your expectations of the UCLA QB as a result; his college resume speaks for itself.
In his senior year, Hundley threw 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions; he also rushed for 644 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s the QB that New York should set its sights on as a potential starter in the near future.
According to ESPN New York reporter Rich Cimini, Chan Gailey is officially the Jets’ new offensive coordinator.
Gailey’s experience with Kordell Stewart during his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers makes perfect sense for Hundley. Stewart reached the AFC Championship Game in his first year as the starting QB working with Gailey as the offensive coordinator.
Yes, it’s nearly 20 years later, but the fact Gailey knew how to handle a dual-threat QB two decades ago raises his credibility to develop a unique talent like Hundley.
Best selection: Brett Hundley
Third-Round Pick: Guard
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Brian Winters struggled before a midseason injury in 2014. Willie Colon is set to become a free agent this year.
The Jets should look to draft another prospect in a weak draft class for this particular position. The alternative is replacing Colon with Wesley Johnson or using tackle Oday Aboushi as a fill-in guard for another year sans Colon.
John Miller is a decent pick for third-round value. According to Derek Stephens of CBSSports.com, he’s durable, rugged and a technically sound offensive lineman:
"While he may lack elite athleticism, Miller demonstrates intelligence, sound technique and toughness in the trenches with enough quickness in a short area to be a reliable pass-protector when asked to slide and mirror interior rushers, and his initial burst off the snap enables him to get to the second level and target efficiently.
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Best selection: John Miller
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Fourth-Round Pick: Cornerback
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As previously mentioned, the Jets secondary is in desperate need of a solid veteran to lead the pass defense. Head coach Todd Bowles may be able to convince Antonio Cromartie to take the trip over to New York with him after a successful season together in Arizona.
Behind a veteran cornerback, the Jets will allow Dee Milliner another chance to prove his worth as a top-10 draft pick. The nickelback slot is wide open for the taking as Kyle Wilson and Phillip Adams enter free agency.
Dexter McDougle, Darrin Walls and Marcus Williams will all have a shot to fill the nickelback role, but New York needs an aggressive defender—one who isn’t afraid to gamble on turnovers.
According to Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com, underclassman Jacoby Glenn declared for the draft, and it’s great news for the Jets.
Glenn only played two years in college, which explains his fourth-round draft projection, but he’s just what the Jets need in the secondary.
He was an exceptional defender in his second season at Central Florida, per Fornelli:
"Glenn finished the 2014 season with seven interceptions and 18 passes defended; he was named co-Defensive Player of the Year by the American Athletic Conference. Glenn was also named to the AP All-America Team, the first UCF player to be so honored since running back Kevin Smith in 2007.
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Best selection: Jacoby Glenn
Fifth-Round Pick: Middle Linebacker
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David Harris is slated to become a free agent, and it’s uncertain if he’s a priority to re-sign.
In 2014, Harris and Demario Davis allowed a combined 813 yards and six touchdowns in coverage, per Pro Football Focus.
Gang Green can benefit from a situational inside linebacker who is better equipped in coverage on obvious passing downs.
Ben Heeney could step in and potentially play alongside Davis if Harris isn’t re-signed. According to Brugler, he's assertive when attacking ball-carriers and capable of covering receivers in intermediate pass routes:
"Heeney is a physical wrap tackler and aggressive in pursuit, taking decisive angles and breaking down well on the move - locks onto his target and won't make many mistakes.
He performs better than expected in man coverage with his read/react skills to float while reading the eyes of the quarterback, breaking well to make plays on the ball.
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Best selection: Ben Heeney
Seventh-Round Pick: Outside Linebacker
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Coach Bowles is known for his willingness to mix defensive schemes. He needs a versatile linebacker on defense to ease the transition between the 3-4 and 4-3 defense if necessary.
The need for fresh talent at the position becomes more of necessity with Calvin Pace entering the final year of his contract at the age of 34.
C.J. Olaniyan is a listed as an outside linebacker, but he played his best season as a defensive end in his junior year at Penn State, accumulating five sacks and 11 tackles of loss.
The Jets have yet to choose a defensive coordinator, and the base defensive scheme is still undecided. Olaniyan could fit in as a hybrid defensive lineman or linebacker in either setup.
Best selection: C.J. Olaniyan
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com. Draft prospect analysis provided by CBSSports.com.
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