New York Jets: Reassessing Draft Needs After First Wave of Free Agency

The New York Jets have had anything but a quiet offseason, as the team has been one of the most active in free agency.

In recent days, Gang Green's revamped front office has brought in Darrelle Revis, Brandon Marshall and Antonio Cromartie, among others.

However, the Jets still have holes throughout their roster. For New York to compete next season and beyond, the team needs to address these needs in the draft.

Click through to see the four positions Mike Maccagnan and Co. should focus on upgrading in this year's draft. 

Safety

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Jets went from having one of the worst cornerback situations in the league to one of the best in a matter of days. 

Gang Green signed Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine to long-term deals over the past week, as per Darryl Slater of NJ.com, giving them four starting-caliber cover men (along with former first-round selection Dee Milliner).

However, the safety spot is still a major question mark on the back end of the defense. 

Calvin Pryor really struggled in his rookie year, so it will be difficult counting on him as a sure starter in 2015. 

Furthermore, new signee Marcus Gilchrist may not be the answer either. He wasn't great in the starting job in San Diego, despite playing across from Pro Bowler Eric Weddle. 

Any way you slice it, the duo of Pryor and Gilchrist will be the weak point of New York's defense this coming season, unless the team makes a move for a safety in the draft. 

There aren't many top safety prospects available, however. Alabama's Landon Collins may be the only player taken at the position in the first round, and even he is somewhat of a question mark in coverage. 

Gang Green should attempt to address the position in the middle rounds. Fresno State's Derron Smith and Louisville's Gerod Holliman are two players to watch, as both appear better set to handle duties in coverage than New York's current pair of starting safeties. 

Wide Receiver

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Jets essentially swapped Brandon Marshall for Percy Harvin, and the team saved a couple million dollars in cap space by doing so. 

Marshall is one of the top weapons in football, despite a disappointing 2014 season that saw him suffer through a series of nagging injuries. 

The former Bear and Eric Decker should form a solid 1-2 combo on the outside, but New York's receiving corps is highly questionable outside of said pair. 

Jeremy Kerley was basically a non-factor in 2014. Saalim Hakim and Greg Salas are little more than depth providers. 

New York shouldn't be afraid to pull the trigger on one of the many talented receiving options available in the draft. 

Amari Cooper and Kevin White are the two standout wide receiver prospects in this year's class, and it will require at least a top-10 pick to acquire their services. 

The Jets are probably better off taking one of the second-tier receivers in the second or third round, but if the options are limited at sixth overall, the team might be smart to take Cooper or White and add to an already improved receiving corps. 

Outside Linebacker

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Outside linebacker still remains one of New York's biggest needs, as the team has yet to upgrade the position in free agency. 

Gang Green's front seven is one of the best in football, but it would be even stronger if the team could bring in a dangerous outside pass-rusher. 

Luckily for the Jets, there are plenty of outstanding prospects available in that department. 

Dante Fowler Jr., Shane Rey and Vic Beasley are three of the best in this year's class, and all three are expected to be selected within the first 10 picks. 

Beasley may be my favorite prospect in the 2015 draft. 

The Clemson product is one of the finest pass-rushing prospects in recent memory. He recorded 32 sacks and 52 tackles for a loss in his last three years in college, and he claimed the 2014 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Beasley has incredible burst off the snap, and his speed around the edge is unparalleled. He also boasts surprising power and a top-notch motor. 

If the Jets can win Beasley's services in the draft, the front seven would see an immediate and massive boost. 

Quarterback

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

The most important position on the field remains New York's most pressing need. 

Recent addition Ryan Fitzpatrick is a nice short-term option, but he is hardly a franchise quarterback. 

And through two years, it doesn't appear that Geno Smith is either. 

The Jets now have a team that could make a real run with a capable signal-caller under center, and it is critical that the team finds one before cornerstones like Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, David Harris and Brandon Marshall move out of their primes. 

Marcus Mariota could be the Jets' man. 

Mariota is one of the two potential franchise quarterbacks available in the draft, and he might not even fall to sixth overall. 

If he does, Mike Maccagnan and Co. need to pull the trigger, as teams are only lucky enough to hold the power to select a potential franchise changer every so often. 

Mariota wasn't great at his pro day this week, as per Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab, and questions remain regarding how his game will translate to the NFL. 

However, the Heisman Trophy winner possesses unbelievable physical tools and a terrific work ethic. 

He could be the quarterback Jets' fans have been waiting for.