The New York Jets made it clear with the dismissal of Nick Mangold that a rebuild is in process. Could the star wide-outs be next?
The New York Jets will be entering the 2017 campaign coming off a dismal 5-11 season — a record they know all too well during the Woody Johnson tenure. With that record, the Jets will receive the number six pick in the 2017 NFL draft.Could the “City of Brotherly Love” provide the backdrop for Gang Green to select a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since Santana Moss in the 2001 draft?
Decisions concerning current Jets’ wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker will come sooner than later. With Marshall contributing $7.5 million and Decker earning $8.75 million against the cap, the Jets could save around $13 million dollars by releasing the pair.
Marshall certainly underwhelmed and Decker’s season was cut short due to injury. Age and health may factor the two out of the future plans of Mike Maccagnan. If that is the case, the Jets may look to fill the talent gap by adding a first or second round wide receiver to a group that would include Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake.
Enunwa showed great promise all season long, and the Jets faithful got a snapshot of the talents that Anderson could provide to the group. Joining the duo are Marshall and Peake, this is a very young and raw grouping that could develop into a formidable squad.
As for the tight end position, nobody has mistaken a Jets tight end as a “great weapon.” The position has not created that “X” factor in nearly a decade. Going that far is even a stretch when describing the impact that Dustin Keller provided in the passing game.
For the Jets to aid in the development of a young quarterback, a tight end “safety blanket” will be crucial. There are a few prospects that could fill that role, two of those prospects were featured in this year’s National Championship Game. More on them to come.
The Jets will have seven chances to find a receiving option to add to their young squad, so let’s take a look at some of the nation’s best prospects. We begin with the top dog in all the land: