Mid-Round NFL Draft Targets Who Could Start in Year 1 for the New York Jets
Some of the most notable starters for both Super Bowl teams, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, weren’t must-draft players out of college: Tom Brady (sixth-round pick), Julian Edelman (seventh-round pick), Rob Ninkovich (fifth-round pick), Russell Wilson (third-round pick), Kam Chancellor (fifth-round pick), Richard Sherman (fifth-round pick) and Byron Maxwell (sixth-round pick).
All the aforementioned players will have a major impact on Super Bowl XLIX, and none were highly touted NFL prospects. It’s living proof the mid-rounds of the draft are just as important as the first and second round.
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan will have to find gems among many average and subpar prospects. The Jets have specific needs to fill, and some of these draft picks will have an immediate opportunity to start.
Maccagnan’s big board, specifically for Rounds 3-5, should feature the following candidates—based on draft scout analysis reports, college statistics and preferential skill sets.
Javorius Allen, RB, USC
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Javorius Allen is one of the best mid-round picks in this year’s draft. In 2013, he split running back duties with Tre Madden and still managed to score 14 touchdowns.
In 2014, he was the workhorse RB who accumulated 1,947 yards from scrimmage. He added 458 receiving yards to his 1,489 rushing yards, which makes him a perfect pick for Gang Green.
Chris Johnson hasn’t fully embraced his role of sharing the load with Chris Ivory. Drafting Allen will allow the Jets to release Johnson and save $3.5 million in cap space.
The USC standout was an efficient contributor while sharing carries and was able to handle the load as a featured back.
Furthermore, he possesses a similar skill set to Johnson with some added assets, per Rob Rang of CBSSports.com: "Possesses soft hands out of the backfield and shows the ability to adjust to make tough grabs. Alert, physical pass-blocker. Comes with experience in Sarkisian's pro-style offense and theoretically should be able to contribute early in his NFL career."
Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State
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It’s never a bad idea to draft a 6’3” wide receiver with a knack for finding the end zone, which pretty much describes Vince Mayle.
At 3-9, the Washington State Cougars didn’t get much time on network television, but Mayle was a bright spot on a poor team. He was the Cougars' primary option on offense and racked up 1,483 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his senior year.
He only started two years at Washington State. Nonetheless, he's a raw talent who could become a starter on a Jets offense in desperate need of a red-zone receiver. He can also catch over the middle.
According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, he’s a former basketball player turned big-play receiver who can dominate smaller defenders and create separation:
"Former basketball player. Has good speed and twitch for a big receiver. Can win in space and has tremendous ability to track the ball over his shoulder on deep throws. Has learned to vary route speed to help with separation on slants. Outstanding physical traits for the position. Sinks hips and sits down on route quickly for a receiver his size. Better acceleration than cornerbacks expect on free release. Can get to top speed quickly and has touchdown catches of 72, 81 and 90 yards over last two seasons. Has the body type to overwhelm small cornerbacks. Fights through initial contact after the catch and will grind out tough yards
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Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
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Not sold on Brett Hundley or Bryce Petty? Does Hundley remind you too much of Geno Smith? Is Petty just a system QB operating with one-read throws?
How about Garrett Grayson? He played minimally in his first two years and took off in his final two years at Colorado State. He led the Mountain West Conference in passing yards (4,006) and passing touchdowns (32) in his senior year.
Grayson and Mayle previously mentioned out of Washington State could make up a dynamic quarterback-receiver duo in 2015, and here’s why, per Zierlein:
"Tremendous deep-ball touch and accuracy this season. Puts air under the ball and feathers throw into consistently catchable spots for receivers. Gets feet set and uses lower body and proper weight transfer to drive the ball to his target with zip. Works to square shoulders to throw when outside of the pocket. Scouts love his toughness and improved poise in the pocket. Willing to face down oncoming rusher and take hit in order to deliver the pass. Shows confidence to challenge safeties and will attack press-man cornerbacks over the top.
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Grayson’s deep-ball accuracy and Mayle’s ability to box out, fight off defensive backs and create separation could become a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Don’t jump the gun and envision the next coming of Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford, but the potential exists with this young pair.
Regardless of who is the intended receiver, Grayson’s fearless ability to deliver accurate throws is an attractive asset for a team that is struggling to find continuity in the passing attack.
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Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma
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According to Zierlein, Geneo Grissom is a defensive lineman with the ability to line up in multiple positions, as a defensive end or an outside linebacker:
"Long arms and thickly muscled frame. Has played both defensive end and outside linebacker. Gets arm extension and can set edge against tight ends. Has some burst off the snap. Adjusted and improved at his new position (LB) throughout the year. Steady in pursuit. Will flash inside moves and quickness and could benefit from a wider rush point in the pros.
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The Oklahoma senior can possibly become a more efficient dual-position player than Quinton Coples after excelling in both positions during his junior and senior year. He aggressively attacked the line of scrimmage in his junior year with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also managed to finish with four sacks in both seasons.
Grissom’s versatility makes him an intriguing pick for the Jets, who have one aging linebacker, one entering free agency and the other playing outside of his natural position.
Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State
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According to Rob Rang, Robert Myers has an NFL-ready body frame and some of the attributes to become a Day 1 starter:
"Possesses a legitimate NFL frame with broad shoulders, long arms and a thick lower half. Though occasionally late off the snap, Myers generally shows good initial quickness in pass pro and in releasing to the second level in the running game.
He can extend his arms and latch onto defenders, showing good lateral agility to shuffle to mirror (albeit in small areas). Because of his stout frame and the fact that he plays with good knee bend, Myers anchors effectively.
Selfless player who saw action at left and right tackle and right guard over his collegiate career.
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If Myers continues to work on his technique, he'll be equipped to handle some the biggest and best nose tackles in the league.
Willie Colon played poorly and is entering free agency. Brian Winters isn’t a lock on the professional level when he returns from an ACL injury, per the team’s official website. The Jets should draft two guards if possible—one early and Myers late.
Advanced statistics provided by Sports-reference.com/cfb. Draft analysis provided by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com and Rob Rang of CBSSports.com.
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