New York Jets: 5 Draft Prospects to Watch at 2015 NFL Combine
The future of the New York Jets could rely heavily on which player the franchise selects with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft.
The Jets haven't possessed a top-six pick at season's end since 2008, when they used the sixth selection to grab Ohio State pass-rusher Vernon Gholston.
I think we all know how that worked out.
New York cannot afford to swing and miss in this draft after years of poor drafting, especially considering it is the first one under new leadership.
Click through to see the five players Gang Green should watch at the combine later this month.
Amari Cooper
1 of 5
Amari Cooper is considered by most fans and experts to be the top wide receiver in this year's class.
And there are plenty of reasons why.
Cooper has excellent quickness off the snap and can line up all over the field. He doesn't have top-end speed or imposing size, but he has an above-average combination of both.
Bottom line: Cooper just gets open and makes plays.
His playmaking ability is evident from his record-breaking final season at Alabama, in which he caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 scores.
Cooper doesn't have the physical tools of A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but he is a supremely talented wideout who just has a feel for the game.
The Florida native would be a perfect fit in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's spread scheme, and he would give the offense a true No. 1 receiver opposite Eric Decker.
Kevin White
2 of 5
Cooper is the most highly regarded skill position player in this year's draft, but Kevin White is not far behind.
The West Virginia product has better size and physicality than Cooper, even if his speed and ball skills aren't quite on par.
Nonetheless, White is an absolute beast who can make the most difficult catches look easy. He is a freight train in the open field and can even serve as a blocker when needed.
White's 2014 season was also nothing to scoff at, as he caught an amazing 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The New Jersey native would be a perfect complement to Eric Decker on the outside, as he is built like a Mike Evans prototype.
White may be a bit of a reach at sixth overall, but if the Jets can trade down to the 10th or 12th selection and still get him, that would be ideal.
Vic Beasley
3 of 5
Vic Beasley is one of the finest pure pass-rushers to come out of the college game in recent years.
Beasley is just a beast at getting to the quarterback, as he possesses tremendous burst off the snap and can beat opposing offensive linemen with either his speed or his surprising power.
The Clemson product had 32 sacks over his last three years in college and 52 tackles for loss. He claimed the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 as a result of his dominant play.
Beasley may not contribute much in the run-stopping department or in coverage, but his pass-rushing ability makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's class.
Beasley would fit perfectly in head coach Todd Bowles' blitz-heavy scheme, as he would give the defense a dangerous pass-rusher off the edge.
The Georgia native could easily become the next Von Miller.
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Marcus Peters
4 of 5
The Jets need cornerbacks in order to run Bowles' aggressive scheme, and there is no one more talented in this year's class than Marcus Peters.
Peters is the kind of cover man that every team wants nowadays. He has good size and fantastic length, and his athleticism, physicality and ball skills are some of the best in the country.
The 22-year-old would add a physical playmaker at the back end of New York's defense, but he does come with some major question marks.
Peters was dismissed from the Washington football team midway through the season after multiple incidents with the coaching staff, and his work ethic and attitude need to be improved upon.
Nonetheless, Peters' talent is unparalleled. He has the ability to be one of the finest corners in the league and one of the best pure playmakers since Ed Reed.
Don't believe me? Well, consider this. Peters had eight interceptions in his final two seasons with the Huskies, and he only played in six games.
Marcus Mariota
5 of 5
The Jets are a franchise quarterback away from being a perennial postseason contender, and many people think Marcus Mariota could be their man.
Mariota could potentially go anywhere from the first overall selection to midway through the first round, as his services will be desired by a boatload of NFL teams.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner had one of the most productive collegiate careers in recent memory, having thrown for nearly 11,000 yards, 105 touchdowns and just 14 picks in three years.
Mariota is a physical specimen who can do anything on the football field. He has a laser for an arm, tremendous mobility and is a serious threat to burn defenses with either his arm or his legs.
Mariota is also terrific at extending plays, and his work ethic and smarts are off the charts.
The biggest concern with the Hawaii native is his inconsistent accuracy, but he has shown that he can fit the ball into tight spots on many occasions.
Mariota doesn't come without risk, but he would give the Jets a young, smart, physically gifted quarterback who has the potential to turn around the franchise.
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