The New York Jets have the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and here are their top four options with that first-round selection.
The 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia in less than a week away now and the New York Jets face some very important decisions as they rebuild their roster. New York has the sixth pick in the first round and have a multitude of directions in which they can go.
General manager Mike Maccagnan may even try and trade his sixth overall selection to obtain more picks later in the draft. However, if Gang Green does indeed keep their pick, will they try and select their potential franchise quarterback?
How about drafting a top cornerback or safety to strengthen their depleted secondary? Is an offensive lineman worthy of the sixth overall pick? Should they be bold and select one of the talented tight ends that are available that high in the order? There are so many different directions New York can proceed with that critical first round selection.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top four first-round options for the New York Jets when they are officially on the clock this Thursday night.
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles away from Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Tyquan Lewis (59) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Best Option: Deshaun Watson, QB – Clemson
Height: 6-2
Weight: 221 pounds
I wrote last month that the Jets should draft Watson in the first round and I have not changed my mind. If you feel that a player can be your franchise quarterback then you draft him, no questions asked. It's that simple.
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The Gainesville, GA native led the Tigers to the national championship in January with a thrilling 35-31 victory over Alabama. As impressive as Watson's statistics were in that contest — 420 yards passing, three touchdown passes along with 43 rushing yards and a touchdown — what really stood out was that Watson led Clemson on a game-winning nine-play, 68-yard drive to pull the game out with one second remaining. That's what makes Watson special: He is a winner and the Jets could sure use someone with that pedigree leading their team.
Watson is not a perfect quarterback. He needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making while adding some bulk to his wiry frame. However, he brings to the table these special qualities per NFL.com:
Tremendous leader and winner. Good pocket posture with quiet upper body. Good pocket mobility and doesn't show much panic when pocket gets noisy. Sacked just 32 times over his last 1,181 drop-backs. Willing to stand in and deliver the ball against rib-wreckers on a clear path for him…
Throws with anticipation and touch. Fires hips through throws for improved drive velocity into tight windows.
The Jets will be making a mistake if they don't select the two-time Heisman Trophy finalist if he is available with that sixth overall pick. He will be the franchise quarterback they have been searching for these many years.
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Marshon Lattimore speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 Option: Marshon Lattimore, CB – Ohio State
Height: 6-0
Weight: 193 pounds
Shutdown cornerbacks are like gold in the pass-happy world of the NFL these days and Lattimore is considered by many to be the best cornerback in this year's class. A first-team All-Big Ten player in 2016, the speedy Lattimore recorded four interceptions, 14 passes defensed and nine pass breakups in his only full season with the Buckeyes.
The Jets desperately need to upgrade their secondary and drafting Lattimore would help immensely. He is the type of corner that can do it all — he is equally effective covering a wide receiver on a post route as he is on an inside slant. Lattimore is known for having exceptional closing burst and fine instincts as well. He's an outstanding open-field tackler and was credited with making all 37 solo tackles he attempted last year. Not one miss.
Lattimore was plagued by hamstring injuries early in his career at Ohio State but he was fully healthy in 2016. He was clocked at an impressive 4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last month so he has speed to burn. Lattimore should be ready to step in and be New York's number one cornerback if selected.
Pro Football Focus was effusive in their praise of the former Buckeye standout:
Lattimore has received a lot of praise nationally recently, and it's not difficult to see why. He has it all, from range to ball skills, and routinely made opposing quarterbacks regret throwing the ball into his coverage in 2016. He has the size, athleticism and production to go early in the draft while fitting multiple schemes as an outside corner.
Shutdown corners are hard to find in the NFL and Lattimore would certainly fill that role for the Jets.
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jazz Peavy (11) is tackled by LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) after catching a pass during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3 Option: Jamal Adams, SS – LSU
Height: 6-0
Weight: 214 pounds
The son of former NFL running back George Adams, Adams is ranked by some experts as the top safety on the board in this year's draft. The Lewisville, TX native was a first-team AP All-American last season for the Tigers after a campaign in which he registered 76 tackles (7.5 for loss), one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four passes broken up. Adams had five career interceptions at LSU.
The Jets could certainly use an impact player at safety and Adams more than fills the bill. He has the ability to play deep in coverage or near the line of scrimmage and is a fierce tackler. Adams is also able to cover wide receivers in the slot or tight ends down the seam. He is known for being a superior athlete and an outstanding leader. Adams breaks to the football quickly and has many of the skills that a solid cornerback displays.
While Adams does not possess blazing speed, one NFL scout provided this glowing observation on Adams via NFL.com:
The people who have been at that program the longest think he might be the best leader LSU has had in years. He's a no-doubt first-rounder. He can play all over the field and he could have an immediate impact on defense just like Landon Collins did coming out. I love him. I think he's a winner.
For a team with so many needs up and down their roster, selecting a player with the leadership attributes and skill set of Adams makes a great deal of sense for New York.
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the first half of the the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 Option: Malik Hooker, FS – Ohio State
Height: 6-1
Weight: 206 pounds
If Adams has been selected before the Jets make their pick, then Hooker would make an excellent consolation prize. A superior athlete, the New Castle, PA native could have played Division I basketball coming out of New Castle High, a team he led to the state championship. Hooker's seven interceptions for the Buckeyes last year tied for the most in the nation among safeties. He added 74 tackles (5.5 for loss), four pass breakups and was named a first-team All-Big 10 and first-team All-American safety as a redshirt sophomore.
Hooker is known for his superior instincts, range and closing speed when the football is in the air. He is very fluid and has strong hands that lead to takeaways at the point of reception. Hooker's ball skills are elite, he's physical and he can challenge the deep ball very effectively.
There are some flaws though in Hooker's game — he needs to improve his tackling (17 missed tackles in 2016) and he must become more physical against the run. Hooker has just one full year of experience and is raw in many aspects. He has the athleticism and instincts though to become a fine starting safety in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus has compared Hooker to Reggie Nelson of the Oakland Raiders and gave this scouting report on the former Buckeye standout:
His ability to track the ball and outplay receivers in the air is unmatched, as evidenced not only by his seven interceptions, but the content of the plays. His athletic ability is such that he is capable of staying with virtually any slot receiver in the league in man coverage situations, and he has some experience with this from college.
The Jets have a myriad of needs but improving their secondary is a major priority. Drafting Hooker would be a wise move and would give New York a potential Pro Bowl safety for years to come.
