New York Jets: An Early Look at Potential 2015 Schemes and Best Draft Fits

The New York Jets should look like a much different team in 2015. 

With a new head coach and general manager, along with a boatload of money to spend in free agency and a top-six draft pick, the Jets are going to be anything but the same team that went 4-12 a year ago. 

However, don't expect Gang Green to undergo a massive overhaul in terms of schemes, as the new coaching additions have similar game plans to the 2014 staff. 

Offensive Schemes

Say goodbye to Marty Mornhinweg and hello to Chan Gailey. 

Gailey is an established NFL presence, having been the head coach or offensive coordinator of a half-dozen teams around the league. 

However, the 63-year-old has been out of the NFL for the last two years following his dismissal as Bills head coach. 

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Gailey is anything but a sexy pick, and he comes with some question marks. But he has had success before with some low-level quarterback talent. 

Gailey made the playoffs with the Steelers in 1996 with an offense run by Mike Tomczak. He also got surprisingly solid performances out of marginal NFL talent such as Tyler Thigpen, Jay Fiedler and Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Maybe Geno Smith can finally turn the corner with the veteran coordinator calling the shots. 

Gailey is flexible with his schemes, but he likes to run a spread system. That could work very well for Smith, who thrived in a spread scheme at West Virginia. 

The new system would be a big departure from Mornhinweg's complicated West Coast offense, and it could be easier for Smith and other offensive players to pick up.

Best Draft Fits on Offense

For the spread system to be a success, the Jets could use some quick, athletic skill-position players who can exploit open spaces in the defense. 

Luckily for the Jets, there are plenty of top-notch wide receivers available in the draft. 

The best of the class is undoubtedly Amari Cooper, who put up record-breaking stats in his final year at Alabama. 

Cooper isn't the biggest or fastest guy in the world, but he can line up anywhere. And he has a knack for getting open. 

In the spread offense, Cooper could be a reception machine. 

If the Jets miss out on Cooper, Kevin White and Dorial Green-Beckham would be intriguing options. 

White is an athletic beast who can make catches all over the field, and Green-Beckham has the size and athleticism that compare to A.J. Green, per CBS Sport' Dane Bugler.

Defensive Schemes

Like Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles runs a 3-4 defensive front that prides itself on aggressiveness and confusion. 

Bowles may be a laid-back personality off the field, but he is anything but easy-going when calling plays. Last year in Arizona, Bowles couldn't blitz enough. 

The Cardinals rushed the passer on 46.5 percent of dropbacks, which led the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info, (h/t Rich Cimini of ESPN.com).

With behemoths Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson up front, that rate could increase this year in the Big Apple. 

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However, in order to run the defense the way he wants to, Bowles needs a pair of solid outside corners who can thrive in man-to-man coverage. 

The 51-year-old had two solid cover men in Arizona in Antonio Cromartie and Patrick Peterson, allowing him to send the house at the opposing quarterback on a huge number of passing plays. 

In New York, he may not have that luxury unless the Jets significantly upgrade the cornerback position through free agency and the draft. 

Therefore, don't be surprised if Gang Green opts to go with a defensive player in the first round for the sixth time in seven years. 

Best Draft Fits on Defense

There are some top-level defensive players available at the top of the draft, especially in the pass-rushing department. 

The Jets could use some outside pass-rushing help, as Calvin Pace and Jason Babin just didn't cut it at the outside linebacker spot a year ago. 

Randy Gregory out of Nebraska, Vic Beasley out of Clemson, Dante Fowler out of Florida and Shane Ray out of Missouri are the top pass-rushers available and all have the versatility to line up along the defensive line or on the edge. 

All four are virtual locks to be selected inside the top 10, but Beasley is probably the most intriguing fit of the quarter. 

Beasley isn't great against the run or in coverage, but he possesses tremendous burst and speed, and his ability to get to the quarterback is almost unparalleled. 

CBS Sports' Rob Rang compares him to Broncos Pro Bowler Von Miller, who has recorded an amazing 49 sacks in his first 56 NFL games. 

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Beasley would give Bowles a terrific edge pass-rusher who would excel in his blitz-heavy defensive scheme. 

Cornerback is a much weaker area in the draft. No cover men are expected to go in the top 10, and only a handful have a shot of breaking into the first round. 

Trae Waynes out of Michigan State and Marcus Peters out of Washington are the best cornerbacks available by a pretty wide margin. 

Waynes has great size, length and athleticism, but Peters could be special if he gets his act together. 

Peters has a stellar combination of length, physicality and ball skills, and he could excel from day one at the NFL level. However, he was dismissed from the Washington team following multiple run-ins with the coaching staff. 

Nonetheless, he has a ridiculous ceiling, even if the risk could prove too great.