New York Jets Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

The 2015 NFL Draft is the in the books for the Jets. 

The New York Jets started off the draft with flying colors, as it managed to grab the best defensive player in the draft in the first round and the best deep threat in the second. 

Leonard Williams and Devin Smith are terrific talents who should be immediate contributors on opposite sides of the ball. 

Mike Maccagnan decided to change things up in the third round in an effort to grab more picks, as he swapped the No. 70 selection to the Texans for the No. 82 pick, Houston's fifth and seventh-round selections, and former Ohio State star Devier Posey. 

With the No. 82 overall selection, the Jets grabbed outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, finally addressing the lack of an edge pass-rusher on the roster. 

New York's most intriguing selection came in the fourth round, however, when the team moved up one spot to select Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty. Petty is a raw talent at the moment, but he could develop into a quality starter under the right guidance. 

In the fifth round, the Jets finally addressed the offensive line with the talented, yet troubled Jarvis Harrison. If things go right, he should be an immediate contributor. 

Maccagnan and Co. also made moves in the last round of the draft, as it swapped its seventh-round pick to the Rams in exchange for running back Zac Stacy, while also selecting big nose tackle Deon Simon. 

Click through to see grades for each of New York's six picks. . 

Round 1, Pick 6: Leonard Williams

Many experts saw Leonard Williams as a surefire top-five selection. In fact, he was the top-ranked player on both Mel Kiper's and CBS Sports' draft board. 

Williams falling to the Jets was a surprise to most analysts, and it should be considered a win for Gang Green, despite the fact that he doesn't fill a need. 

New York's defensive line is already a strength, but it would have been difficult for general manager Mike Maccagnan and Co. to pass on a player of his talent level. 

The USC product is a Pro Bowl-caliber talent with phenomenal versatility. He is capable of lining up all along the defensive line, so Todd Bowles can plug him in anywhere and expect him to make an impact. 

Williams boasts tremendous size (6'5", 302 lbs), power and quickness off the snap, and he is about as athletic as a man his size can be. He can shed blockers with ease in a variety of stances. 

The Florida native should be an immediate force as a run-stopper, and he could emerge as a double-digit sack guy if he can develop some pass-rushing moves. 

Williams is raw as a football player, but his physical skills give him the highest ceiling of anyone in this draft class. 

Coach Bowles has to be licking his chops after this selection, as he should have a potentially historically good defensive line at his disposal. 

Grade: A

Round 2, Pick 37: Devin Smith

The Jets entered the draft needing a deep threat to complement the one-two pair of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, and they found one in Ohio State wideout Devin Smith. 

Smith is one of the fastest in-game receivers to hit the draft in recent memory, and he uses his quickness to perfection when making his way down the field. 

The Ohio native averaged an insane 28.2 yards per catch in 2014, along with 12 touchdowns. He can line up on the outside and in the slot, and he can easily break a short crossing route into six points. 

Smith is terrific at tracking the deep ball and adjusting to make the catch, and he can also be a key contributor as a gunner on special teams. 

Smith needs to improve his hands and get more physical in order to deal with NFL corners, but he has the natural talent to make the necessary improvements.

Even if the Ohio State product doesn't become a more complete wideout, he still projects to be one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL, as his speed is lethal.

New York passed on some pretty talented offensive linemen, as well as Dorial Green-Beckham, but Smith addresses a need and should immediately upgrade the offense. 

Grade: B+ 

Round 3, Pick 82: Lorenzo Mauldin

The Jets opted to trade down from No. 70 in order to get more selections, which was a necessity considering the team entered the weekend with just six picks. 

However, New York missed out on the highly ranked Eli Harold as a result. Fortunately, Lorenzo Mauldin isn't a bad consolation prize. 

Mauldin doesn't possess great size or length and often struggles to gain leverage against opposing linemen, but he's a guy who just plays the game the right way. 

Mauldin overcame a tough upbringing and put together a strong collegiate career at Louisville. He possesses a high motor, good agility and an assortment of fine pass-rushing moves, and he's no dummy against the run either. 

The 22-year-old doesn't have the high upside of New York's first two selections, but he is an NFL-ready talent who fills an important need. 

It's a surprise New York still hasn't addressed the offensive line, but Mauldin presents good value in the third round, and he should be a contributor in his rookie season. 

Grade: B

Round 4, Pick 103: Bryce Petty

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The Jets elected to ignore the offensive line again in Round 4, as they selected quarterback Bryce Petty out of Baylor. 

Petty is a sexy pick, as many people will view him as direct competition for Geno Smith at the game's most important position. 

Nonetheless, it may have been in Gang Green's best interest to address the positions around quarterback, as Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings and Florida State guard Tre' Jackson were both available. 

However, Petty is a guy who can develop into a starting NFL talent down the line, but he will take a few redshirt years in order to improve. 

The Baylor product has terrific size, leadership and mobility, and his arm strength and deep ball are both NFL quality. He comes from a simple college offense, and he could struggle to read and react to coverages at the next level, while also maintaining composure in the pocket when defenders are closing in. 

Petty won't challenge Smith for the starting role this offseason, but New York is certainly planning for him to be the replacement for the disappointing West Virginia product down the line. 

Grade: B-

Round 5, Pick 152: Jarvis Harrison

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After ignoring the offensive line in the first four rounds of the draft, the Jets managed a steal in guard Jarvis Harrison. 

Harrison was a consistent and productive starter at Texas A&M, and he should be an immediate contributor in the trenches for Gang Green. 

Harrison has the physical tools of a second- or third-round pick, as he boasts top-end strength, quickness and balance. His technique in both run blocking and pass protection is also solid. If the former Aggies star can impress in training camp, there is no reason he shouldn’t be a day-one starter for New York. 

The concerns with Harrison are with his attitude. His love for the game has been questioned by former coaches, and he struggled to maintain his weight throughout his collegiate career. 

However, at this point in the draft, Harrison is one of the most talented prospects available, and he fills a big need for Gang Green. 

Grade: B+

Round 7, Pick 223: Deon Simon

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Jets traded the No. 224 pick in a deal for Rams running back Zac Stacy, which means this is the final pick for New York in the 2015 draft. 

New York decided to add to one of its strength areas by selecting nose tackle Deon Simon out of Northwestern State. 

Simon is already 24 years old and has dealt with knee injuries in recent years, but he posts a wide frame and good power for a seventh-round prospect. Under the right guidance, Simon could emerge as a decent run-stopper in Gang Green's 3-4 front, although his lack of quickness and athleticism limit his upside. 

For a seventh-round selection, the Jets could have done a lot worse, but they also could have picked a player with a higher ceiling. 

Grade: C