Home NYC Teams New York Jets

New York Jets: Five Way Too Early First Round Picks

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.