The New York Jets have several holes to fill if they are to improve on last season’s success. Here are 5 potential first round picks in the 2016 NFL draft.
By Gregg Cambareri
Free agency and the NFL combine is going to paint a better picture of who the Jets might look to take–especially considering the several key free agents the Jets could lose this offseason (Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, Chris Ivory, etc.) but it’s never too early to speculate who could be the guy at pick number 20 (we’ll also have updated mock drafts as the combine passes and we get closer to the spring).
Let’s take a look at 5 players who GM Mike Maccagnan and company might welcome to Gang Green next season.
Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd
The Jets, who boasted one of the best defensive lines in football last year, could use a dynamic pass rushing outside linebacker to diversify their blitz packages.
Calvin Pace is 35 years old and a free agent to be. The Jets could surely look to fill a vacancy at the OLB position next spring.
Enter Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd. He fits the bill of a prototypical outside linebacker who can get after the quarterback. His size at 6’3 and 230 pounds is exactly the mold an OLB generally possesses. He also played in a 3-4 scheme at Georgia, making his transition to the Jets, a smooth one.
The junior was regarded as one of the better pass rushers in the SEC, recording 26.5 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks in his collegiate career. Players who can get after the opposing quarterback are premium commodities, and he makes almost too much sense for the Jets at this pick.
The only question is, does he make it to the Jets at the 20 spot? Rex Ryan’s 3-4 scheme in Buffalo at pick 19 could frustrate Jet fans with eyes on Floyd.
Michigan State OT Jack Conklin
While no one is exactly sure who will be the starting QB for the Jets next season, the need to protect who it is will be there. Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin fills multiple needs for Gang Green.
Long time left tackle D’brickashaw Ferguson isn’t getting any younger (32), while right tackle Breno Giacomini (30) is no spring chicken himself. Conklin doesn’t necessarily have to start, but he has a chance to be an upgrade over Giacomini, and could switch to left tackle in time.
Conklin has showed durability, starting 26 games for the Spartans over the past two seasons. He’s successfully protected Connor Cook’s blindside and earned his scholarship after walking on at Michigan State.
From walk on, to starting left tackle at a major program suggests Conklin is a hard working, high character guy. Either that, or the recruiters of the world vastly underestimated his talent.
Conklin could fill multiple needs for a Jets offensive line that needs to get younger.
Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche
The Jets drafting Nkemdiche is a terrifyingly intriguing scenario. He’s a top ten talent without much question. His 6’3 and nearly 300lb frame possess explosiveness and athleticism on the defensive line. He played defensive end before switching to defensive tackle, which would make the Jets d-line more dynamic (Leonard Williams possesses similar versatility). Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison are both free agents, so retaining both of them won’t be easy.
How does a player of Nkemdiche’s caliber fall to the Jets at number 20? A marijuana arrest, and 15 foot spill near an Atlanta hotel before the Sugar Bowl is going to have some team’s wary of his character.
He fits a need, and is easily one of the most talented players in the draft. If he slips in the first round, the Jets would have to think long and hard about passing on a player of Nkemdiche’s ability.
.To be fair, talent usually trumps character in the NFL, but let’s wait and see how Nkemdiche is valued. I really don’t think he falls this far in the draft, but the Jets hit a homerun if he does.
Clemson DE Kevin Dodd
We just mentioned how Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison are both free agents this coming offseason. If the Jets are looking to add a defensive end rather than a tackle, Dodd could be their guy.
Standing at 6’4 and around 275lbs, Dodd possesses the type of size and speed for an NFL defensive end. He played in a 4-3 scheme at Clemson, but shouldn’t have too much trouble adapting to a 3-4 with his physical gifts.
Often overshadowed by fellow defensive end Shaq Lawson (whose a top ten pick, in all likelihood), Dodd put on a show in the national title game, recording 7 tackles, 5 for a loss, and 3 sacks. He finished the 2015 season with an impressive 12 sacks, which is sure to catch the eyes of most GM’s. His stock is definitely on the rise, and a strong combine could even sneak him into the top 15.
Go back and watch the Clemson-Alabama game again. You’ll see Dodd’s explosiveness early and often. He was in the Alabama backfield all night, despite the Tiger defense giving up over 40 points. Clemson may have lost the national title game, but Kevin Dodd may have earned himself millions in defeat.
Alabama ILB Reggie Ragland
Calvin Pace is a free agent at the OLB position, and fellow inside backer Demario Davis is a free agent also. Obviously, we don’t know who the Jets will or won’t bring back, but if they choose not to resign Davis, Reggie Ragland makes sense for them.
Ragland, at 6’2 and 250lbs should fit nicely into the middle of the Jets 3-4 defense, similar to the one one he played in at Alabama. He’s a sure tackler, although he doesn’t have the greatest cover skills. His 40 yard dash time in the combine could mean a great deal for his draft stock. The Jets will need their LB’s and safeties to stick Rob Gronkowski, and Ragland will need to prove his worth at the pro level.
Ragland is a punishing hitter, sheds blocks decently, and just needs to prove he has the range to play at the pro level. Intimidating middle linebackers aren’t easy to find, and Ragland could help anchor the Jets front seven for years to come.