Jets' Mock Draft: Instant Contributors New York Can Find in Every Round
The New York Jets have made a lot of splash moves in free agency to get their roster off the ground, but a good liftoff does not a successful journey make. They can use the NFL draft to keep them flying until they reach their final destination: a hopeful Super Bowl.
But just because the draft is the time of year where most teams are looking to improve their roster for years to come, that doesn't necessarily mean the Jets can't try to improve their roster for the 2015 season immediately as well. There should be prospects in each round that can find a way to contribute to the Jets right out of the blocks.
Some prospects may have to wait to contribute on either offense or defense, but if those players can find a niche role on special teams in the meantime, they'll afford themselves the time it takes to develop the skills they need in order to be an impact player on their side of the ball.
Here's a look at some players available who could make an impact as rookies, regardless of the role.
Round 1
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With the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Jets have a rare opportunity to find a player who can contribute in a big way right now and for years to come. The Jets are also fortunate that one of their biggest needs is at outside linebacker, and there are plenty of prospects available at the position.
Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. is just the type of edge presence the Jets need in their defense: long, strong, explosive and versatile. The 6'3", 261-pounder sports 33 ¾" arms and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Those tools will serve him well during and after his transition to the NFL.
"He's had to play at different weights and different spots on the field, and I think he's finally understanding how to use his athleticism to dominate a game," said an AFC East director of college scouting, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He will be way better in the pros than what he is now."
The Jets would be wise to hop on that train before it leaves the station.
Round 2
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The Jets have two solid between-the-tackles backs in Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory, but they still are missing that scatback with explosive playmaking ability and the potential to contribute in the passing game.
Enter Miami's Duke Johnson, who has drawn comparisons to New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. Johnson caught 65 passes for 642 yards (9.9 yards per catch) and four touchdowns in two years at Miami.
He may be an "average inside runner," according to Zierlein, but he's also "one of the most explosive runners in college football during his time at Miami" and picked up an average of 6.8 yards per carry (318 rushes, 2,599 yards) in two seasons. He also picked up 10 rushing touchdowns each season.
Johnson may not be a complete back just yet, but he would find a way to contribute early in the Jets' offense.
Round 3
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The Jets have already signed free-agent guard James Carpenter; they already re-signed veteran Willie Colon; they already have young prospects on the roster in Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi.
Would another guard really be able to contribute right away? Better question: Are there two guards in the group listed above who sound like locks to start on the Jets' offensive line? The answer to the first is yes; the answer to the second is no.
Louisville guard John Miller may not be the athlete some teams would prefer in their guards, when zone-blocking schemes call for the big inside guys to move in the open field.
Where Miller excels, however, is in the power game, where the Jets have not had physical push in the middle of their line for a while. His 6'2", 303-pound frame may appear undersized for a lineman, but he packs enough punch in his upper body to be a mauler in the running game.
If the Jets have questions about the interior of the offensive line, they could plug Miller into the middle of their line, and he may be able to contribute right away.
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Round 4
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The Jets may feel as though they've found their starting secondary, with Marcus Gilchrist poised to fill the free safety spot, while Calvin Pryor goes back to his more natural strong safety position, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ Advance Media.
However, Gilchrist's coverage abilities are suspect to say the least; he yielded completions on 68.4 percent of the throws into his coverage in 2014, along with five touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.
So, if Gilchrist turns out to be less of a free safety than the Jets may think, one player who could contribute at the position is Michigan State's Kurtis Drummond. The 6'1", 208-pound defensive back sports 32 ¼" arms and a 39.5" vertical leap that landed him in the top five free safeties in the NFL Scouting Combine.
CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler likes his range, aggression, ball skills and leadership qualities as a team captain, but criticizes him for a lack of explosive athleticism, instincts, ball awareness (tracking the ball in flight, turning head while in coverage) and footwork that needs improvement.
Sometimes, though, the best option is a young option, and while the Jets may have ponied up for Gilchrist, his low value in guaranteed money ($3.5 million) makes him expendable if the Jets should find a more suitable free safety for their defense.
Round 7
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Just because the Jets have already drafted a player at a particular position, doesn't proclude them from drafting another.
Auburn free safety Jermaine Whitehead may seem like a redundant pick after the Jets took Kurtis Drummond just three rounds prior, but a little depth never hurt—especially not at a position where the Jets have such significant question marks as they do at free safety.
Whitehead's ability to contribute on Day 1 will be tied to his special teams ability, which is always a hallmark of late-round picks looking to make a final roster. He earned plenty of experience there after serving a one-game suspension for a verbal altercation with a coach.
That being said—not to sound like his father—but he'll need to keep his attitude in check if he hopes to contribute and one day get past his role as a special-teams-only player.
The Jets also have a second seventh-round pick from their trade with the Chicago Bears. They also have a wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, but even after grouping him with Eric Decker and jeremy Kerley, the Jets could still use one more pass-catcher on the outside. If they want to find a potential first-year contributor in the seventh round, one great option could be West Virginia wide receiver Mario Alford.
At 5'8" and 180 pounds, Alford isn't going to scare anyone with his size, but he has shown explosive play-making ability that could make him a great slot pairing with Kerley in four-receiver sets. He caught 65 passes for 945 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014, but also returned 26 kickoffs for 743 yards and two more touchdowns on special teams.
Alford's straight-line speed is considered his strength, and if the Jets can find a way to harness it, the West Virginia receiver has a chance to contribute from an early stage.
Unless otherwise noted, all scouting combine information and draft notes provided by CBSSports.com and NFL.com.
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