New York Jets NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings

The 2015 New York Jets won't be the same team that lost 12 games a year ago. 

New general manager Mike Maccagnan and Co. have made sure of that, as they have been about as active as any team in the league this offseason. 

The Jets brought back the Batman-Robin tandem of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in free agency, as well as Buster Skrine, James Carpenter and Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

The team also traded for former Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to upgrade its offensive weapons. 

But what will really define Maccagnan's first offseason in charge is the draft. 

Apart from a few exceptions, New York has gotten little production out of its draft classes in recent years, and it simply cannot afford for that to continue in 2015 if the team is going to be successful. 

With just a few days until the draft, let's take a look at the big board for each of Gang Green's need positions. 

Quarterback

Make no mistake: The Jets desperately want a franchise quarterback. 

Geno Smith has been a huge disappointment since being taken in the second round of the 2013 draft, as he has struggled with accuracy and decision-making. 

However, this probably isn't the draft to find one. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are probably the only two potential franchise signal-callers in this year's class, and both are likely to be selected in the top five. 

Gang Green can hope that either Winston or Mariota falls to No. 6, or it can take a gamble on one of the many talented yet flawed quarterbacks on Day 2. 

1. Jameis Winston, Florida State

Winston is the best pure passer to come out of college since Andrew Luck, and he's basically a sure bet to be selected No. 1 overall on Thursday night. 

Winston had a hugely successful collegiate career at Florida State, as he claimed both a national championship and a Heisman Trophy in the same year. And even though he struggled with interceptions last season, he still led the Seminoles to an undefeated regular season. 

The 21-year-old has phenomenal football smarts and can squeeze the ball into the tightest of spaces. His powerful arm, prototypical size and great pocket awareness make him an ideal pocket passer at the NFL level. 

Winston has had some notable off-field issues in recent years, but his on-field ability is too much to overlook. 

The Jets would have to give up a king's ransom to secure Winston's services, and even then, the Buccaneers might not listen. 

2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Unlike Winston, there is a chance Mariota falls to No. 6 overall on Thursday. However, it still has to be considered unlikely. 

Mariota isn't the passing talent that Winston is, and there are concerns that he may not be able to make the necessary throws at the professional level. 

However, he is still a can't-miss prospect because of his athleticism and work ethic. 

Mariota possesses outstanding speed and mobility despite his 6'4", 222-pound frame, and he has the ability to extend any play with his legs. 

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is also an outstanding personality both on and off the field. His work ethic, maturity and leadership are exactly what NFL teams desire in franchise quarterbacks. 

The Oregon product isn't the safest selection in the draft, but it will difficult for the Jets to pass on him if he falls in their lap. 

3. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State

Grayson is far from a household name, but he is probably the best of the second-tier quarterback prospects.

He was terrific during his time at Colorado State. Although the competition was far from elite, he put together a tremendous senior season to raise his draft stock. 

The 23-year-old doesn't have the arm talent of Winston or the mobility and athleticism of Mariota, but he possesses great deep-ball accuracy and terrific mechanics. 

Grayson's decision-making needs to improve, but he is a strong pocket presence and a fine leader on and off the field. 

New York should be one of the many teams that take a long look at Grayson on Day 2. 

4. Brett Hundley, UCLA

There has been speculation about Hundley going to the Jets, but Gang Green would be taking a big risk by taking the UCLA product earlier than Day 3. 

Hundley can be considered a poor man's Mariota, as he has the mobility and athleticism to extend plays with his feet and pick up big plays on the ground. 

However, there are some serious concerns about his ability to sit in the pocket and make throws. He struggled to read defenses at the collegiate level, and defenses can baited him into making mistakes. His accuracy inside and outside the pocket also leaves much to be desired.

Hundley's size (6'3", 226 lbs) and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect, but he is far from a refined signal-caller.  

5. Sean Mannion, Oregon State

Mannion has the lowest ceiling of any of the guys above him, but his floor is one of the highest. 

The Oregon State product is a big pocket passer who is capable of leading an offense if the talent around him is above par. He can make most throws when given time in the pocket, and his mechanics are well-refined. 

However, Mannion has fallen apart when under pressure in the past, and he is viewed as turnover-prone. He takes a lot of time to make decisions, and he often has trouble putting bad plays behind him. 

Mannion would be a fine Day 3 pickup, but he would be reach in the first two days of the draft. 

Running Back

Chris Johnson wasn't the solution in the backfield, and Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell probably aren't either. 

Ivory is a strong early-down runner who can pick up key yardage, but he lacks the speed and explosiveness to keep defenses on their toes. Powell, on the other hand, is best as a third-down guy. 

New York will be looking to add to the backfield in the draft, but it remains to be seen where it sees value at the position. 

Fortunately for the Jets, many talented runners will be available Thursday and Friday night. 

1. Todd Gurley, Georgia

Gurley is about as talented of a running back prospect as we've seen, as he boasts an incredible combination of speed and size (6'1", 222 lbs). 

The Georgia product can explode through holes, fight off tacklers and pick up tough yardage down the middle. He also rarely fumbles and can make an impact in the passing game when called upon. 

To put it simply, he is the real deal. He could easily be one the best running backs in the NFL from the moment he steps on the field. 

The problem with Gurley is his injury history. He missed three games in 2013 and then tore his ACL midway through 2014. He has rebounded well from the injury in workouts, but it's difficult to predict whether he can maintain the same kind of explosiveness on the field. 

Gurley will be a first-round selection, but he would be a reach at No. 6. However, if the Jets think he has rebounded well enough from his ACL tear, they could trade back and take him several selections later. 

2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Gordon isn't a can't-miss talent like Gurley, but he is a safer pick than the Georgia runner. And like Gurley, he will probably be taken in the first round. 

Gordon can burn defenses both inside and outside, and he has the speed and power to do both. He can make defenders miss in the open field and can explode through the tightest of holes for big gains. 

However, the Wisconsin product isn't a great pass-catcher, and his blocking is subpar. He also is prone to getting stuffed behind the line of scrimmage, as he is too indecisive on which hole to hit. 

Gordon has the makings of a solid running back at the NFL level, but unless he falls to the Jets in the second round, he probably won't be wearing green and white. 

3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

If New York feels the need to take a running back in the second round, Abdullah may be its man. 

He can do it all on the football field. Despite his small stature (5'9", 205 lbs), he can run through would-be tacklers and pick up tough yardage on the interior. He possesses superb vision, great top-end speed and fantastic pass-catching ability. 

The former Nebraska star is also a great personality on and off the field, and his work ethic leaves little to be desired. 

Abdullah would complement Chris Ivory and play a key role in Gang Green's offense from Day 1. 

4. David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Johnson doesn't do anything great, but he has few weaknesses in his game. 

The Northern Iowa product put together three straight 1,000-yard seasons at the college level, and he has the makings of a solid rusher in the NFL as well. 

Johnson has above-average speed and great size (6'1", 224 lbs), and he has the power to pick up additional yardage after contact. If his vision improves, he could turn into a heck of a runner. 

His greatest strength is his pass-catching ability. He could be a game-changer out of the backfield, especially in a system like Chan Gailey's. 

If the Jets don't want to spend either one of their first two selections on a running back, Johnson could be their man in the third round. 

5. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State

Unlike the other four guys on the list, Langford can't step in and lead a backfield. For him to be effective, he would be better-served to work in a committee. 

However, Langford would be a nice complement to Ivory. His physicality leaves a lot to be desired, and he struggles to pick up yards after contact, but he boasts above-average speed and burst. 

The former Michigan State star's best quality is his ability in the passing game. He is as refined of a blocker as any running back in this year's class, and he can make plays out of the backfield on a consistent basis. 

If Langford is there for the taking in the fourth round, New York shouldn't hesitate. 

Wide Receiver

Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker form a big, dangerous one-two punch on the outside, but the Jets need to add to their otherwise-soft receiving corps. 

Mike Maccagnan and Co. will be looking for a wideout who can stretch the field and give New York the dangerous deep threat that it has lacked in recent years. 

There are plenty of those kinds of receivers in this year's class, but given the league's focus on the passing game, the most talented ones will be off the board before you know it.

For Gang Green to find a true difference-maker at wideout, it probably has to use either a first- or second-round pick. 

1. Amari Cooper, Alabama

Cooper put together one of the finest wide receiver seasons in collegiate history in 2014, as he rolled through SEC defenses on the way to 124 catches, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

The former Crimson Tide star was already considered a top prospect entering the season, and his dominant year only served to raise his draft stock. 

Cooper is about as complete a receiver that's come out of college in recent memory. He boasts great speed, good size (6'1", 211 lbs), fantastic hands and elite route-running ability. He can make catches all over the field, and he is a nightmare for opposing defensive backs to contain. 

Cooper has No. 1 receiver written all over him. If he is there for the taking at No. 6, New York might just pull the trigger. 

2. Kevin White, West Virginia

White isn't as complete a player as Cooper is, but he may have a higher ceiling.

The 22-year-old is coming off a dominant senior season with the Mountaineers, as he put up a ridiculous 109 receptions and 1,447 receiving yards. 

White is so good that he could replicate those kind of numbers at the NFL level. His combination of great size (6'3'', 215 pounds) and blazing speed (4.35 40-yard dash) is otherworldly, making him a mismatch for any defender. 

White is also terrific at gaining separation from defenders, and he can make catches all over the field. 

It remains to be seen whether Cooper or White is the better prospect, but the Jets couldn't go wrong with either one. 

3. DeVante Parker, Louisville

If the Jets want to trade down and still grab an elite receiving talent, Parker is probably their target. 

His collegiate statistics don't jump off the page like Cooper's or White's, but he still put together a fine career at Louisville. 

The former Cardinal star doesn't boast the strength of the top two receivers in the class, and he can often get outmuscled by opposing defenders, but he may be the best deep threat in this year's draft. 

With good speed and superb body control, Parker can stretch the field with the best of them. He also possesses elite hands, so he won't drop the ball on big plays. 

He probably won't emerge as a No. 1 in New York's offense, but he would be the perfect complement to Marshall and Decker. 

4. Breshad Perriman, UCF

Perriman's physical traits are off the charts, making him an ideal target for New York if it decides to trade back into the middle of the first round. 

The UCF product boasts an unreal size-speed combination, as he ran the fastest 40 at the NFL combine (4.24 seconds) despite being 6'2'' and 212 pounds. 

Perriman can simply run past opposing cornerbacks for big gains on a consistent basis. He is superb at creating separation, and his athleticism and leaping ability allow him to make even the most difficult catches. 

He does come with some question marks, however. He is a raw route-runner, and his hands are questionable at best. He will need to work on both if he is to emerge as a No. 1 receiver at the NFL-level. 

It's easy to fall in love with the 21-year-old, but the Jets may be scared off by his rawness, as former Jet and draft bust Stephen Hill possessed the same kind of physical potential but never panned out. 

5. Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma

If the Jets want to wait until the second round to take one of the many talented receivers in this year's class, Green-Beckham might be their choice. 

He has the size (6'5", 237 lbs), speed and hands of a No. 1 receiver at the NFL level, and he has the ability to make the most difficult catches. 

However, the 22-year-old isn't a great route-runner, and he can often have difficulty creating separation. 

The real concern for Green-Beckham is his off-field behavior. The wideout was kicked off Missouri's football team and has twice been arrested for incidents involving marijuana. 

Off-field issues have derailed the careers of elite receivers such as Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon, and many individuals are worried Green-Beckham is heading down that path. 

However, his talent may be too hard to overlook. 

Outside Linebacker

An outside pass-rusher remains one of Gang Green's most pressing needs heading into the draft, as it has for been the last few years. 

Calvin Pace simply isn't a viable option anymore, and Quinton Coples has had a tougher time adjusting to linebacker than New York probably had hoped. 

There isn't a shortage of quality pass-rushers available in this year's draft. In fact, it could be the best draft for the position in recent memory. 

Nonetheless, effective pass-rushers become even more important with each passing year, so many of the top prospects will be off the board by the time Friday rolls around. 

1. Dante Fowler Jr., Florida

Fowler Jr. isn't the best pass-rusher in this year's class, but he is the most complete outside linebacker available. 

The former Gators star needs to improve his pass-rushing technique, but his quickness of the snap and versatility to line up all over the field make him a can't-miss prospect.

Fowler Jr. is about as athletic as a linebacker can be, and he can chase down running backs or mobile quarterbacks with the best of them. 

Unfortunately for New York, his upside as both a pass-rusher and a run-stopper makes him a virtual lock to be taken in the top five, if not the top three. 

2. Vic Beasley, Clemson

Beasley is the best pass-rusher in this year's draft class and a perfect fit for Todd Bowles' blitz-happy defensive scheme. 

He was an absolute beast during his collegiate career, racking up 52.5 tackles for loss and 33 sacks in just 25 starts. And he should have the same kind of impact at the NFL level. 

The Clemson product has terrific athleticism, burst and quickness of the snap, and he can make offensive linemen look silly with his moves at the line of scrimmage. 

If Beasley can display a high motor on every snap, he has the potential to be the one of the league's sack kings. 

The Jets should have no hesitation taking him with the No. 6 overall selection. 

3. Bud Dupree, Kentucky

If both Fowler Jr. and Beasley are off the board at No. 6, or the Jets decide to trade down, Dupree may be their man.

His draft stock has rapidly risen over the last few months, and rightly so. The Kentucky product is an athletic big man with fantastic power and burst. He can beat opposing linemen in a variety of ways while also contributing against the run.

However, the 22-year-old is raw and needs to be coached up in order to reach his true potential.

Dupree may not set the world on fire in his rookie season, but with the right coaching, he could be a star in New York's defense. 

4. Eli Harold, Virginia

Harold doesn't possess the upside of the three guys above him, but he would present tremendous value if he falls to New York in the second round. 

Harold is a freak athlete with good power and size (6'3", 247 lbs) for an outside linebacker. He can provide both an edge and interior pass rush, and he has the ability to chase down anyone in open space. 

However, the former Cavaliers star lined up exclusively at defensive end in college, which makes his ability to convert to an outside linebacker a question mark. He can also have a tough time separating from linemen after initial contact. 

5. Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington

Gang Green may opt to address offense with the first of couple picks, leaving the need for a pass-rusher until the third round. 

If that is indeed New York's strategy, Hau'oli Kikaha would be the perfect option. 

He was a monster during his time at Washington, as he recorded an unbelievable 19 sacks in 2014. His high-energy motor and array of pass-rushing moves make him a nightmare for opposing linemen and a threat to bring down the quarterback every play. 

The Hawaii native isn't as athletic as the more hyped outside linebacker prospects, and he offers little outside of getting to the quarterback, but he still gets the job done. 

Kikaha would be a safe, smart selection for Mike Maccagnan and Co. on Day 2 of the draft. 

Offensive Line

Offensive line has to be a major concern for the Jets heading into the 2015 season. 

Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are both 31 years old, and their play will only decline in the near future. New York needs to find replacements for the former Pro Bowlers. 

Meanwhile, the Jets have a real issue at guard. Willie Colon is no longer a viable starter, and neither Brian Winters nor Oday Aboushi has shown an ability to man the job. 

Gang Green has to add some toughness and youth to its offensive line in the draft, or the offense will continue to struggle, despite the new additions. 

1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa

Scherff would be a safe, if unspectacular, selection for Gang Green in the first round. 

The Iowa product is a big, powerful presence who has the ability to negate opposing linemen. His blitz recognition is top-notch, and he moves well in space. 

Scherff can play along the whole line, and he was an elite left tackle in college. However, he is probably best-suited as a guard at the NFL level. 

Scherff would immediately upgrade one of New York's weakest positional units, but he is far from a flashy selection. 

2. Andrus Peat, Stanford

The Jets have reportedly fallen head over heels for Peat, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. 

It's easy to why Gang Green has an affinity for the Stanford product, as he possesses all the traits of a future stalwart on the offensive line. 

Peat boasts prototypical size (6'7", 313 lbs), a powerful lower body and good hand technique, as well as top-notch quickness. He could line up at either right or left tackle. 

However, he can struggle with strong pass-rushers, as he lacks the strength and power to compete with the elite. 

The 21-year-old is a surefire first-round selection, but he would be a monumental reach at No. 6 overall. If the Jets can trade back into the middle of the first round and grab him, that would be ideal. 

3. Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)

Most of the tackles in this year's class come with question marks, and Flowers is no exception. 

He has good size (6'6", 329 lbs) and strength, and his quickness off the snap is near-elite. However, his technique in pass protection is subpar. Some of the better edge pass-rushers could burn him in the NFL. 

The former Hurricanes star is a tad safer than Peat because he projects well as a guard if he falls through at tackle, as his run-blocking has proved to be superb. 

Like Peat, Flowers should only be in consideration if Gang Green trades down to the middle of the first round.

4. La'el Collins, LSU

Collins is another elite college left tackle who projects better as a guard in the NFL. 

He is a tough, high-energy player with great strength and ability as a run-blocker. He struggles with hand placement, however, and his athleticism and quickness aren't as stellar as coaches would want them to be. 

The LSU product could be an immediate starter on the interior for New York, but it is probably too much to ask him to play tackle at the next level. 

5. Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Tomlinson is the best pure guard prospect in this year's class, and he would be nice value for the Jets in the second round. 

He is a mammoth of a man at 6'3", 323 pounds, and he is as powerful as any player in the draft. He has the ability to physically dominate opposing linemen on the interior. 

However, the former Blue Devils star lacks athleticism. Quicker defenders can find ways past him because of his lack of quickness, which is a major concern in both the passing and running game. 

Tomlinson comes with some question marks, but he would bring a powerful, tough presence to a New York offensive line that needs just that.