New York Jets: Potential picks for the 2017 NFL Draft

Currently sitting at 3-7, the New York Jets don’t have much to look forward to. So let’s move on to the 2017 NFL Draft!

In what seems like an eternity ago, the New York Jets were 10-6 last season, only a touchdown drive against the Buffalo Bills short of a playoff spot. But as if part of a cruel Shakespearean twist of fate, boisterous ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan led the Bills to that defensive stop that left New York fans utterly disappointed.

So naturally, coming into 2016, the team had high hopes after finally signing back quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and star defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, and in doing so, keeping that 10-win team mostly intact.

Well, that ‘success’ materialized as Fitzmagic has thrown a league-high 13 interceptions, the secondary has been porous beyond belief and the play calling/time management by the coaching staff has been atrocious.

But the comforting part about the NFL is that every season offers a new beginning. And the start to that is the NFL Draft, where teams have an opportunity to build home-grown talent from the ground up.

When Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan looks at his roster this offseason, he’ll see a pretty solid roster on a name-to-name basis. But apparently that doesn’t always equal success, and it’ll be up to him to use the draft to help end the Jets’ myriad of issues that have developed this season.

Check out this list to see who the Jets could take with their currently fifth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mitch Trubisky – Quarterback – UNC

Just as Jets fans thought they found their quarterback in Fitzpatrick, 2016 happened. And it hasn’t been pretty for Fitz. So the Jets must now restart their never-ending quarterback search again.

First on the list is University of North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

The star junior has the size of a prototypical NFL quarterback at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds with the arm to match it. He has shown an ability to make all the throws he needs to, gathering an astounding 69.7 completion percentage in 11 games in 2016.

Trubisky has thrown just four interceptions in comparison to 25 touchdown passes as well as having an aptitude for scrambling, scoring five touchdowns on 215 yards rushing.

If drafted by the Jets, he would fit in very well with the existing west-coast system run by offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, as UNC employs a very similar, screen-heavy offense. This could scare some teams away from Trubisky in favor of the next quarterback on this list, possibly prompting a fall to the Jets even with the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns likely choosing first overall.

The downside to Trubisky is his lack of experience. 2016 is his first season as a full-time starter after having thrown just 125 passes in his collegiate career prior to this year.

Deshaun Watson – Quarterback – Clemson

This man has the opportunity to be a really special player. Clemson star quarterback Deshaun Watson, a two-plus year starter, has been in the national spotlight for some time.

The junior has shown a highly accurate arm, posting 67.8 and 66.4 completion percentages last season and this season, respectively. Watson is also likely to surpass his touchdown pass total of 35 from last season, already having thrown 28 with four games to go.

What makes Watson the top-end talent he is, though, is his Michael Vick-esque ability to extend plays and run the ball. Although he doesn’t have Vick’s top-line speed, he is much shiftier with great ball vision, similar to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

That led him to amass 1105 rushing yards last season, along with 12 touchdowns. Signal-callers with that type of athletic ability don’t usually come paired with an accurate arm, as many of those quarterbacks tend to be less mechanically sound. But Watson has a great chance to beat that trend.

The main knock on Watson is his decision making, as he can sometimes be a little careless against some of the nation’s higher-end defenses, resulting in more interceptions than typical top quarterback prospects. But fear not, those things can be taught and learned through coaching and experience in the NFL.

Jabrill Peppers – Linebacker – Michigan

Jabrill Peppers is legitimately ridiculous, in the best way imaginable. Think Arizona Cardinals hybrid safety/linebacker Deone Bucannon, but even faster and more explosive.

It’s hard to find a single spot for Peppers, as he’s played linebacker, safety, cornerback, running back and kick/punt returner in 2016. But he’s excelled everywhere – check out the following numbers:

Defensive Stats (LB, S, CB) – 59 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks

Rushing Stats (RB) – 163 yards, 7.1 yards/carry, 3 TD

Returning Stats (KR, PR) – 15.3 yards/punt return, 1 TD, 24 yards/kick return

That sort of versatility is something the Jets defense has been lacking for some time. Some would argue that the Jets already filled that void with 2016 first-round pick Darron Lee, but Maccagnan has always preached a “Free Agents for need & Draft for talent” approach towards building his roster, and Peppers is as talented as anyone.

The possible pairing of Lee and Peppers should be mouth-watering for any Jets fan, even if that means the possible moving-on from long-time middle linebacker David Harris. Harris’ age is starting to catch up to him, especially in coverage – a problem Peppers would fix immediately.

Marlon Humphrey – Cornerback – Alabama

Cornerback is a monstrous area of need for the Jets this offseason. “Star” corner Darrelle Revis is constantly calling himself old, and the tape proves him right. It’s very likely he’s gone after the season, as his contract is not worth his play anymore.

Corners Marcus Williams, Buster Skrine and Darryl Roberts have shown some solid play, but the secondary needs a top end corner to come in and take on the best receiver on the opponent’s team.

Step in Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Humphrey is a big defensive back, standing at 6-foot-1, 198 pounds with good strength to come up and make the tackles on receivers and running backs alike. He has shown good turnover-causing ability, garnering five interceptions, a pick six and three forced fumbles the last two seasons combined – an ever important statistical area in need of improvement for the Jets.

He’s also played in a complex defense for ‘Bama head coach Nick Saban, giving him a football IQ that would drastically help him in understanding Todd Bowles‘ busy defensive scheme.

If Jets’ brass see Humphrey’s name still on the clock during their pick on draft day, it would be tough for them to pass him up, shoring up their secondary significantly in the process.

But Jets fans must try not to get horror flashbacks of also Alabama CB Dee Milliner if Humphrey does get picked by the Green and White on that fateful night next April.

Leonard Fournette – Running Back – LSU

LSU standout running back Leonard Fournette has been possibly the most dynamic offensive weapon in college football during each of the last three seasons. At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, he has the size of a large wide receiver, coupled with the speed and elusiveness of a quick running back. Think Minnesota Vikings back Adrian Peterson-style athleticism.

Although the Jets’ backfield situation is pretty locked down right now with veteran Matt Forte and third down back Bilal Powell, Maccagnan’s talent-first draft methodology could push him to select Fournette if he’s available. That’s especially possible given that in his first draft with New York, he chose defensive end Leonard Williams when he fell to the sixth pick, even with the Jets’ already stout defensive line in place.

Any team, regardless of whoever else they may have on the roster, would be ecstatic to have a guy like Fournette. Last season, he broke out onto the national scene with nearly 2,000 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns – even throwing in 19 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown.

Although he’s had some injury issues in 2016, he has still posted 843 yards, 6.5 yards/carry, eight touchdowns and another 15 catches. Fournette is not what scouts would call a “receiving back”, but he does have above average hands, further lengthening his impressive resume.

So although the Jets already rank 11th in the NFL in rushing yards/game and ninth in yards/carry, adding Fournette into the mix with Forte and Powell would make them even better and possibly the most dangerous running team in the league.

Cam Robinson – Offensive Tackle – Alabama

The Jets’ offensive tackle situation leaves quite a bit to be desired. Maccagnan traded with the Denver Broncos for Ryan Clady last offseason after the sudden retirement of long-time Jet D’Brickashaw Ferguson, pairing him with incumbent Breno Giacomini as the edge protectors of the Jets’ offensive line.

Neither starter has done very well this season and, on top of that, they’ve both been injured throughout the year, leaving second-stringers Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana to take over – and they haven’t shown they were ready for those roles.

Cam Robinson has a chance to cement himself in as part of a stretch of great offensive lineman to come out of Alabama in recent years. He’s been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman, making him about as much of a lock to be an NFL superstar as is possible for a college prospect.

The junior has protected the blindside for his quarterbacks in each of his 40 career games – all starts – with the university. Robinson has also been the highest rated member of a line for ‘Bama that anchors the SEC‘s top scoring offense, allowing their backs to rush for nearly 250 yards/game, good for second in the conference.

His presence, along with center Nick Mangold and improving guards James Carpenter and Brian Winters, would make the Jets’ offensive line very stout. Protection will undoubtedly be a key in 2017, especially considering that the Jets are likely to have a young quarterback at the helm, barring an unforeseen trade or free agent signing.