5 Hidden Gems the New York Jets Should Have Noticed at the Combine

The New York Jets are in the all-too-common position of introducing a brand new regime while holding a high draft pick. After all, teams that crash and burn during the season tend to burn it to the ground in the offseason. Thus, general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles are holders of the No. 6 overall pick with an opportunity to change the fortunes of the franchise for good.

That being said, the No. 6 pick is not the only pick at the Jets' disposal. The six other rounds feature plenty of prospects, and it's up to the Jets' new scouting and personnel departments to go through those prospects with a fine-toothed comb and pick out the head-scratching lice.

Some of that lice come in the form of workout warriors who define themselves with exercises performed in shorts and tanktops. But some of those workout warriors turn out to be diamonds in the rough who could be a perfect fit for the team, given the player's skill set.

Imagine that, beneficial lice.

Here's a look at some of the buggers who could find a home with the Jets in the 2015 NFL draft.

Mike Hull, OLB, Penn State

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Forget the benefit of the doubt; players with an NFL bloodline are typically given the benefit of a hundred doubts. Penn State linebacker Mike Hull's father (Tom) was also a linebacker at Penn State from 1971 to 1973 and was a 12th-round selection in the 1974 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Mike Hull may not have the ideal size, at 6'0" and 237 pounds, but he has the instincts and fundamentals you would expect from someone whose father played linebacker at the professional level. He also flashed some impressive athleticism during the scouting combine, putting up 31 bench-press reps (second-best among linebackers), running a 6.99-second three-cone drill (fifth-best) and an 11.52-second 60-yard shuttle (third-best).

Those numbers are all well and good, but CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler indicates that some of his shortcomings may not be reparable. Brugler says Hull "lacks ideal size/strength for the NFL and can be overwhelmed by blockers in the open field and at the line of scrimmage" and that he has "shorter than ideal arms, causing him to slide off tacklers."

But if the Jets feel he can help their linebacking corps and special teams units, he would be worth a selection on Day 3.

Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska

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Kenny Bell is the leading receiver in Nebraska history, and the 6'1", 197-pound pass-catcher posted a 41.5" vertical jump, a 6.66-second three-cone drill and a 10'9" broad jump, all numbers within the top five among receivers at the scouting combine. His 4.42-second 40-yard dash was in the top 10. So, why is he not viewed as more than a Day 3 draft pick?

Probably because of his rawness as a prospect. His unrefined route-running and inability to smoothly get in and out of breaks are probably holding him back, according to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com. He also lacks ideal hand size at 9.25" and can be jammed off his routes.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Bell to Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington, and said the following of the comparison:

"

Lanky, vertical wide receiver with a second gear. He likes to lull cornerbacks to sleep before hitting the gas and getting over the top of them for big plays. Bell is a little more straight-lined than some teams are looking for, but with reliable hands and an ability to make plays on the ball down the field, he has starter's traits as a potential No. 2 WR in the league. 

"

If the Jets want to add a physically gifted pass-catcher with some flaws to their group, Bell would be a smart pick in the sixth round. But they can't expect him to come in and contribute right away.

Mitch Morse, OT, Missouri

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If the Jets want to improve their offense, they will need to upgrade the quarterback position. But even if they upgrade from Geno Smith to the second coming of Joe Montana, their quarterback won't be able to save their franchise if he's constantly on his back. For that reason, the Jets must improve up front.

Missouri tackle Mitch Morse is not considered more than a Day 3 prospect, but judging by his workout at the scouting combine, you might think he was one of the best athletes available in the draft. Morse was the eighth-best offensive lineman in the 40-yard dash (5.14 seconds), second-best in the 225-pound bench press (36 reps), fourth-best in the broad jump (9'4") and third-best in the 20-yard shuttle (4.5 seconds).

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein and others have indicated that Morse should be in line for a move to guard, but that it may not be as easy as it looks on paper.

"

Morse relies on timing, instincts and angles to get guys blocked as a tackle on the college level but might lack the arm length and functional athleticism to play tackle in the pros. If he moves inside to guard, his toughness will serve him well, but he's not a power player and must prove that he can sustain his block and positioning to be an effective run blocker.

"

The Jets may not be as eager as a kid on Christmas to get their hands on Morse and see what different things they can dream up for their new toy, but they could have him in the seventh round if they want an athletic offensive line prospect whose edges need some sanding.

Doran Grant, CB, Ohio State

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The Jets need cornerbacks. Young ones, not so much. With a total of six out of nine cornerbacks in their fourth year or earlier, it's not youth that's missing from the Jets' defensive backfield, it's experience and starting capability.

But if the Jets were watching Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant work out at the scouting combine, they may have a hard time keeping his name off their draft cards. The 5'10", 200-pound corner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and put up 21 reps on the bench press, which both ranked among the top cornerbacks at the combine. 

CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler says Grant has "natural ball skills and competes well in contested situations" and that he is "physical at the catch point with anticipation to plant-and-drive with timing," but NFL.com's Lance Zierlein qualifies him as "lack[ing] the necessary size to play outside and athleticism to star in a primarily man-based scheme in the pros."

He may not be a perfect fit for the New York defense with Todd Bowles at the helm, but he could be worth a fourth-round pick if the Jets can carve out a role for him in their defense.

Anthony Chickillo, DE, Miami

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When the Jets are scouting pass-rushing edge defenders, they need to be looking three different ways: 

1. Players who are experienced in a 3-4
2. Players who are not experienced in a 3-4 but project as a fit at outside linebacker
3. Players who are not a fit in their defense

The Jets would probably love to have three 1s, but they may have to settle for one 3. In that case, Miami defensive end Anthony Chickillo might be a good find.

"He doesn't have a position as far as I can tell," said an NFC scouting director, via NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "I don't think he projects inside or outside. He's just caught between, positions and there isn't anything that he does really well."

Well, after the scouting combine, a few scouts may magically find a position for him. Chickillo finished sixth among defensive ends in the 40-yard dash (4.79 seconds), fourth in the three-cone drill (7.17 seconds) and in the 20-yard shuttle (4.25 seconds), and seventh in the vertical jump (34.5").

Chickillo is projected as a fourth-round pick, but his strong combine performance may cause a team like the Jets to pull the trigger a little earlier than expected.

Unless otherwise noted, all scouting combine information and draft notes provided by NFL.com and CBSSports.com.