5. Devin Smith, WR
One characteristic that makes Mike Maccagnan different from Jets GM’s of the past is he doesn’t go for the home-run draft pick or free agent signing. He’s not reaching for a quarterback in the early rounds, nor is he overpaying for a pass rusher in free agency. Maccagnan’s philosophy when it comes to the draft specifically, is to draft players who can improve the team now and who have the potential to carry the team in the future.
That is why the trio of Leonard Williams, Devin Smith and Lorenzo Mauldin are on this list–because they were drafted with the belief that they can help this team improve now. With Marshall, Decker, Enunwa, Powell and now Forte and Robinson, the Jets have a solid foundation of weapons for a quarterback (whoever that may end up being) to step in and run Chan Gailey’s offense. The only thing the offense is missing is a deep ball threat.
Devin Smith can be the deep-ball threat for this offense as long as he remains healthy. Last season, he did not. Smith tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 14 against Tennessee, just as he was beginning to grasp the offense and become acclimated to the speed of the NFL.
The road to recovery is always a long one, especially when dealing with a torn ACL. However, if Smith’s knee heals and he’s able to bulk up a bit this off-season, he will be the leading candidate for the fourth wide receiver spot with Jeremy Kerley now out of the picture.
Of course, Maccagnan could draft another receiver this April depending on how the draft board lays out, but right now Devin Smith is the best option for that fourth wide receiver spot and he has all of the skills to be the deep ball threat this offense needs.
