Aug 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets GM Mike Maccagnan talks with New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
What are the biggest needs the New York Jets must fulfill in the 2017 NFL draft?
The New York Jets plan for 2017 is becoming crystal clear. They have let go much of their large cap responsibilities and are going to improve through the draft. It's very similar to how John Idzik went about his business when he arrived in 2013, making it very interesting how the sport works in cycles. You purge the cap, improve the team, and then release the cap.
The Jets have been, for the most part, quiet in the free agent market. However, they jumped in the fray on Friday night. As reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN, they filled two needs, signing kicker Chandler Catanzaro and left tackle Kelvin Beachum.
This changes the focus of the draft a bit, but how so? After these moves in free agency, let's rank the five biggest needs that must be addressed by Mike Maccagnan and company when the draft rolls around.
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) runs with the ball while New York Jets free safety Marcus Gilchrist (21) attempts to tackle him during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
5. Safety
The Jets need help at the safety position. Calvin Pryor is a young, hard-hitter that likes to play in the box, but has a tough time in coverage. It still is possible that he won't be on the team, if you ask Rich Cimini of ESPN. He believes that the team might try to trade Pryor, along with embattled lineman Sheldon Richardson. Marcus Gilchrist had a rough year last year. How many times did he seem to be asleep instead of providing help over the top? Far too many.
Per Pro Football Focus, Gilchrist was the 44th ranked safety in pass coverage, and Pryor was the 72nd ranked safety. The Jets were beaten over the top all season long. It was due, in part, to the performance of Darrelle Revis, but the safeties weren't much help either. Ranked 16th in the league against the pass last year, it must get better.
Who are some of the candidates? Malik Hooker comes to mind, as New York has had some pretty good success from Ohio State (cough, cough, Nick Mangold). In his final year as a Buckeye, he posted seven interceptions, so he would be a prime addition at a position of need. Jamal Adams from LSU, as a guy that draws comparisons to Darren Woodson, should also be in the mix. These are two examples of players that would make this unit instantly better.
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets tackle Ben Ijalana (71) celebrates with kicker Nick Folk (2) and punter Lac Edwards (4) after Folk's field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The New York Jets defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
4. Offensive Line
The offensive line is at the forefront of the rebuild. D'Brickashaw Ferguson has retired. Nick Mangold is gone. Breno Giacomini is gone. Ryan Clady is gone. The Jets are in transition up front. Yes, the re-signed Brian Winters and Ben Ijalana. They even signed Kelvin Beachum to play left tackle. That doesn't mean the rebuild is over. The Jets need to bring players in here.
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Wesley Johnson played well in place of Nick Mangold last year. Johnson graded out as the 33rd best center per Pro Football Focus. He was better blocking in the passing game (71.5) than the running game (55.5). Competition would be prudent here, and that means adding depth during the draft. Todd Bowles preaches competition, and having a solid depth chart is important as well.
It's not a deep draft at the position, with the best tackles being ranked as mid-to-late first round draft selections. They could trade back, as I mentioned here, but understanding the level of the draft talent is what led Maccagnan to sign Beachum. Day 1 is more than likely out of the question, but they could look later on at a player like Zach Benner from USC. If they are looking to continue in the Mangold tradition, Pat Elfien is on the board. Forrest Lamp may be a name to watch at the guard position if they go that route.
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) on a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
3. Tight End
Jets fans, remember this position? It hasn't really been a factor over the past couple of years. That's in part due to Chan Gailey's offensive scheme, but also due to the fact that the players in the position haven't been very good of late. Jeff Cumberland never added much and was gone. Zach Sudfeld was the right build but he had a tough enough time staying on the field. Austin Seferian-Jenkins entered the NFL in Tampa Bay with a lot of talent, but his off the field issues sent him packing up North to New York. He hasn't recorded more than 21 receptions in a season so far, and only recorded ten receptions with the Jets.
He has potential, but has never proven to be any more than that.
John Morton is the Jets new offensive coordinator. His recent background has brought him from San Francisco, to New Orleans, before arriving in New York. Those teams used a tight end. Quincy Enunwa is a nice player, but he isn't a tight end. The Jets need one. At No. 6, there will be choices available to Mike Maccagnan. The two big names are O.J. Howard and David Njoku. Later in the draft, names like Jake Butt will be available for discussion.
Any one of these players would be an asset and help rebuild the Jets offense under John Morton.
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) passes the football during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2. Quarterback
Mike Maccagnan has decisions to make here. Clearly the team needs a quarterback. Any fan that has watched the team play over the last decade or so knows this. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith are free agents, meaning the only quarterbacks on the roster are Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Petty hasn't shown enough to be declared the guy and Hackenberg, by all accounts, isn't ready yet. To paraphrase a familiar saying: Maccagnan, we have a problem.
There is the possibility that Geno Smith returns, as I talked about here. He wouldn't cost much and has flashed potential, albeit fleeting. According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, there is some mutual interest between the Jets and Jay Cutler. There is debate as to whether or not he would be a good fit with the team, but he obviously would be a short-term solution if he were to appear in Gotham.
The 2017 draft class isn't deep with a lot of "pro-ready" quarterbacks, but that shouldn't matter. Former NFL general manager Ron Wolf used to say that you draft a quarterback every year until you find one. New York should follow the concept, but that doesn't necessarily mean the first day. Unless they are completely sold on a Mitchell Trubisky or Deshaun Watson, they should draft a project later in the draft and let them compete. With more competition, something has to give.
A Day 2 or 3 prospect with a lot of potential is Nathan Peterman from Pittsburgh. His NFL.com draft profile compares him to Derek Carr which is an exciting prospect. He comes from a pro-style offense, put in a solid combine, and completed 60 percent of his passes in his college career. Peterman also increased his touchdowns and decreased his interceptions during that career. His accuracy is superb, and the Jets would be well-advised to keep an eye on him.
Jan 1, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) catches a pass over a fallen New York Jets corner back Darrelle Revis (24) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
1. Cornerback
16th in the league against the pass. That is far from characteristic of a Todd Bowles defense. It's also far from characteristic of a good defense. The problem wasn't all about Darrelle Revis, but he was by far the most notable of the problems. The once-lockdown cornerback was anything but lockdown in 2016. He was beaten routinely, and he was beaten badly. He didn't have help, but he sure wasn't able to stop anybody. Revis got eaten alive by Terrelle Pryor, in case any Jets fans had forgotten.
They also don't really have a player waiting in the wings either. Marcus Williams showed potential in 2015, but had a very pedestrian 2016 campaign with two interceptions after six the previous year. Buster Skrine can make plays around the ball, but is more suited to the slot. Dexter McDougle has shown nothing when he actually has been on the field, to make him worthy of his second round draft status. This position is an urgent need, and the fact that they haven't signed one in free agency leads to the idea that they will address it in the draft.
Look for the Jets to give a hard, long look in the direction of Marshon Lattimore from Ohio State. He is a player capable of using his hands in press coverage, something unique with college players. He can make plays on the ball and has the potential to be that number one cornerback the Jets need. Sidney Jones and Marlon Humphrey are two other highly graded players to watch, though Jones suffered a severe lower-leg injury on Saturday according to a report from Campus Insiders.
