The New York Jets brass will get one more chance to see the best two teams in the country collide prior to the scouting combine and NFL Draft.
Tonight’s College Football Playoff: National Championship game will pit the best two teams in the nation against each other for the second time in two years. No. 1 Alabama will face the team who they were able to escape by the skin of their teeth, No. 2 Clemson.Nick Saban will look to become the first coach in the College Football Playoff era to win the title twice. For Dabo Swinney, it would be redemption, and his first taste of College Football glory.
So what does this mean for the New York Jets?
For Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, they will get their last view of a bevy of talented players face off prior to pre-NFL Draft workouts and Senior Bowls.
With so many holes on both sides of the bowl for Gang Green, discovering talent on the Nation’s two best teams would be a great start at filling those holes.
It is no secret that successful teams are built by addressing four main positions on the field. The quarterback, one of the most important positions in sports. A position that the Jets have longed to find stability at, will be a position that the Jets will debate whether to address for the fourth time in five years.
The Jets will also look to address offensive line woes. After the retirement of D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Maccagnan traded for Ryan Clady from the Denver Broncos. This short term solution will need to be addressed this year.
With the decline of Darrelle Revis, a lock down corner will also be a position that Todd Bowles will be interested in filling. During Revis’ prime, you could count on a quarter of the field being a non-factor due to the opposing team’s top receiver being lost on the “island”.
Bowles being a defensive mind, would also look to pair an elite pass rusher to compliment Mo Wilkerson and Leonard Williams, with Sheldon Richardson looking to be possibly on the outs.
When a team finishes 5-11, a revamping of the roster is surely needed. Tonight’s game will highlight some of the best talent in the nation and could provide the New York Jets with their next superstar.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who could end up in green and white:
NEXT: The Field General
The Field General:
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The highly decorated, award-winning quarterback, will again lead his Clemson Tigers in the National Championship game against Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. Watson will look to avenge last year’s loss by providing the same dominate performance he did against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, just over a week ago.
Deshaun Watson could provide the answer for the New York Jets at quarterback, At 6-foot-3 inches, he has ideal size, while his mobility and big play ability would infuse a jolt of excitement into what was a stale offense this past season.
After last year’s title game, you would have expected Watson to be the first quarterback off the board at the NFL Draft. Following some inconsistencies throughout this season, his draft position now has become a question mark, as four other quarterbacks may have emerged as more suitable prospects.
Draft Round Projection: Late 1st or 2nd
NEXT: The Lockdown Corner
The Lock-Down Corner:
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
One matchup to watch tonight will be Marlon Humphrey and Clemson WR Mike Williams. Williams is almost certain to be a first-round pick in April’s draft, so it will be fun to watch the two highly touted prospects go head to head.
Humphrey has ideal size for a defensive back in the NFL, but what makes him special is his athletic ability. With the professional ranks swaying to a more pass-happy league, a defensive back with Humphrey’s speed and agility is crucial.
Marlon could be the replacement for Darrelle Revis that the Jets yearn for.
Draft Round Projection: 1st (Top Ten Pick)
NEXT: The Protector
The Protector:
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide roster is full of award winning talent. None may be better than the outstanding left tackle Cam Robinson. This year’s Outland Trophy winner has been the driving force that has allowed for the emergence of Jalen Hurts. His growth from the 2015 season to this year has been outstanding.
There are some questions about Robinson’s character that may hurt his draft stock. A strong National Championship game against a Clemson Tiger defense that shut out a multi-dimensional Ohio State team would go a far way in solidifying his draft position.
The NFL scouting combine will also be very important for Robinson, he will need to assure NFL executives that past troubles with the authorities are behind him.
Draft Round Projection: 1st (Top Half)
NEXT: The Pass Rushers
The Pass Rusher:
Jonathan Allen, DE/DT, Alabama
Jonathan Allen is the best player on the best defense in all of college football. That might be an understatement, as his dominance, all year long, was on display, and certainly could have been a Heisman winner if he had played any place but Alabama (received 17 first place votes).
It will be interesting to see how executives rank Allen against Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett. While the Alabama defensive lineman provides great power and an unmatched skill to disrupt the running game, Garrett’s speed and ability to get to the quarterback may be more desired in the league.
If one falls to the sixth pick, it may be too enticing for Maccagnan and Bowles to pass on.
Draft Round Projection: 1st (Top 5)
Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson
Carlos Watkins interior presence on the Clemson defensive line has been a menace to opposing offenses all year long. His presence was felt again during the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, as he was able to sack J.T. Barrett twice and provide two pass deflections in the Tigers 38-0 win.
If Watkins is able to have a similar game against a much better offensive line than the one he faced against Ohio State he could very well rise to be the Jets second round option.
Draft Round Projection: 2nd or 3rd
NEXT: The Prime Time Receiver
The Prime Time Receiver:
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
2015 began on a sour note for the Clemson star receiver, as he suffered a neck injury on the first drive of the season. As a receiver, he’s as tough as they come, coming back to have a spectacular 2016 campaign.
The season was highlighted by three monster games against North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, and in-state rival South Carolina. In the three games, Williams compiled 33 receptions, 448 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
Williams has the type of size and talent that the new Jets Offensive Coordinator will drool over when he hits camp in the spring.
Draft Round Projection: 1st (High to Mid-Round)
Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson
Artavis Scott is an interesting mid-round option for the Jets, who could look to develop him as a slot receiver. He was very productive in the Clemson offense over the past three seasons.
Draft Round Projection: Late 4th or 5th
NEXT: The Run Stuffer
The Run Stuffer:
Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
While Jonathan Allen received the accolades as the Nation’s best Defensive Player. The most feared player on the Crimson Tide was Reuben Foster. A ferocious hitter who was able to change games, Foster is an ideal first and second down linebacker. He’s a little suspect in coverage, so he would need to grow into that role when he reaches the NFL.
The Jets less likely to select a linebacker in the first round based on need could benefit from trading this pick if Foster is available at the number six pick or if they had traded down to the early teens, he could be the best player available.
Draft Round Projection: 1st (High to Mid Round)
Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson, DE/OLB, Alabama
Both Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson could be players available to the New York Jets in the middle rounds. Both have the ability to line up as an end or outside linebacker as rotation players and can compete for a starting position on day one.
Williams finished the season with nine sacks, while Anderson finished the season with 7.5. That type of production will certainly be appealing to the Jets, to add to their depth.
Draft Round Projection: 3rd or 4th
NEXT: The Explosive Runner
The Explosive Runner:
Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson
With Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook being the clear 1-2 running backs in the 2017 NFL draft pool, Wayne Gallman falls in that second tier. The combine will go far in determining who that third running back will be. NicK Chubb of Georgia and Christian McCaffrey, each bring a skill set deserving of that honor.
Gallman has great explosiveness, which he used to amass over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He also was effective in the passing game, where he added 213 more yards and a score. There are certainly habits that Wayne will need to work on since he is a bit tall for the position, but as we’ve seen with Derrick Henry, a tall running back can be very effective.
Thrashing an Alabama defense would open up a lot of eyes, and he certainly would be a player that the Jets would need to entertain in the early rounds.
Draft Round Projection: 2nd or 3rd
NEXT: The QBs Best Friend
The Quarterback’s Best Friend:
O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
A large target at 6’6”, O.J. Howard has amassed over 1,000 yards receiving over the last two seasons on 75 receptions. His size creates problems for defenses in the passing game and when he acts as a blocker.
NFL scouts will be grading him on his potential, as Howard has not been used as much as he would be if the Alabama offense was not as efficient as they are. Fear from Jets fans is that he may be another Jace Amaro, where the measurables all were ideal, but the player under performed.
Draft Round Projection: 2nd or 3rd
Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
Jordan Leggett, may not be as highly regarded by scouts as O.J. Howard, but there is no doubt about his production over the past two seasons. He’s been able to capitalize with his great size in the end zone, catching 15 touchdowns for the Tigers.
He has great hands and is an above average blocker, but there is no doubt about the mismatches he has created on the season. This was evident in an ACC match up earlier in the season against, the Florida State Seminoles, where Leggett gained 122 yards and a touchdown in the 37-34 win for Clemson.
Tight End has been a position of irrelevance for the New York Jets over many past seasons. Grabbing an O.J. Howard or a Jordan Leggett could add another layer of offensive fire power for whomever the new Offensive Coordinator may be.
Draft Round Projection: 3rd or 4th
Tonight, the best two teams in the country will come together one more time to put on a show. What you may see is a future Hall of Famer or the next great New York Jets player. Whichever it may be, we as fans can only hope for the same fireworks, as we saw last year.
Whether it’s “Roll Tide” or “Go Tigers”, sit back and enjoy, and let your “Rah-Rah” flag fly!
Stats provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.