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.
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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:
Round 1: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Would there be a better follow up for Clemson’s Mike Williams after the National Championship then being the first wide receiver selected as a top six pick? There is a real possibility that could unfold during the 2017 NFL Draft.
With the news of the New York Jets parting ways with veterans Nick Mangold, Breno Giacomini and Nick Folk, could the next shoe to drop be the pair of high-priced wide receivers? Releasing Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker could be the next roster moves on the horizon. Marshall will be coming off a down year, and the oft-injured Decker can no longer be relied on to fill a starting role for the entire season.
Hypothetically speaking, if the pair of star wide-outs are released, a player Mike Maccagnan could select with the sixth pick in the draft, Mike Williams could fill the void as a number one receiver. Williams is considered to be an ideal NFL wideout who possesses both size and strength.
It may be overstated to compare Williams to another National Champion wide receiver who just played in his first Super Bowl, but the similarities to Julio Jones are there. Both players amassed over 1,200 yards from scrimmage in their final year in college, while Williams accounted for 11 touchdowns to Jones’ nine.
Judging by the most recent moves from the Jets front office, a complete rebuild has begun. There will be more beloved casualties to add to the list that includes Mangold. For Maccagnan, Todd Bowles and Woody Johnson to get this right, they need to select a player that will infuse some excitement into the organization, Williams is one of those players.
Alternative Pick: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
Round 2: David Njoku, TE, Miami
There are numerous scenarios that could dictate where the New York Jets go with their second pick. There is belief that Mike Maccagnan could move out of the number six spot to gain more assets in the 2017 NFL Draft and future drafts.
It’s no secret that Gang Green has rarely received production in the passing game from the tight end position. The name Dustin Keller and legendary have never been used in the same sentence, however, he remains the last productive tight end.
A player that the Jets will certainly keep an eye on, is Alabama all-world tight end, O.J. Howard. Howard could be as high as a top 15 pick. If he should fall into the later stages of the first round or even early in the second round, the Jets should do whatever it takes to get him.
A more realistic pick in the second round is Miami tight end David Njoku. Njoku comes from a long line of high potential Hurricane tight ends that includes, Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen. The athletic ability Njoku possesses falls right in line with this group of Pro-Bowlers.
Njoku has shown an ability to gain yards after the catch, due to his massive 6-foot-4 and 245-pound frame. He has long arms and above average jumping ability, that makes him a red zone nightmare. As for blocking, he still is a bit inexperienced and is an area he will need to commit to. While the blocking will be a work in progress, the catching ability will provide a security blanket to whoever mans the helm for the Jets at quarterback.
Alternative Pick: John Ross, WR, Washington
Round 3: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
To become a beloved member of the Jets, you need to exhibit a toughness and willingness to do what most other guys won’t do. Wayne Chrebet is a great example of this. A player who wasn’t the fastest, strongest or most talented, but a player who would give you everything he had and more.
University of Southern California wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster is cut from the same cloth. Where Chrebet may have been undersized, Smith-Schuster at 6-foot-2 and 220-pounds will be able to absorb more of the punishment than Wayne did during his tenure with the Jets.
Comparisons to Anquan Boldin and Pierre Garcon have been used to describe JuJu’s game. Smith-Schuster is physical, like Boldin and Garcon, he has no fear to go for that ball that is across the middle, something that will aid him with the 50-50 ball.
Like the tight end that can provide a safety blanket to a young quarterback, Smith-Schuster can also provide that sense of security as a possession receiver. He was able to compile 20 touchdowns over the last two seasons, however, the 2016 campaign included three games of multiple touchdowns. While he is capable of scoring touchdowns, his value comes as a volume receiver. As a sophomore, Juju had 89 receptions and followed up the following year with 70, he bears the sure hands that teams desperately need to move the chains.
If the Jets should miss out on selecting Mike Williams in the first round, Smith-Schuster could be a player for Maccagnan to target later on to build a reliability to what is likely to be a young pass thrower. As much as breakaway speed is important, “sure hands” are a more valued attribute to have.
Alternative Pick: Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
Round 4 & 5: Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson and Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State
Look no further than the New York Jets own Brandon Marshall for a steal in the fourth round. The 2006 draftee has amassed five Pro-Bowl appearances over his career and could be considered the best in his class. While the success of mid-round prospects seems more like a coin flip rather than a sure thing, the picks during the fourth and fifth rounds can produce stars and depth alike.
If the Jets for one reason or another miss out on O.J. Howard or David Njoku, a nice consolation prize would be Clemson’s Jordan Leggett. If the question is, how does Leggett perform against elite talent? Two national championship games against Alabama is a perfect place to start. In two games, against the Crimson Tide, Leggett garnered 12 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown.
His key reception that led to the game-winning play for Clemson in the 2016 title game exhibited what scouts will clamor over during this year’s combine process. Jordan is the type of all-around talent that is so valuable in the NFL. If there is a suitable comparison to Leggett in the NFL, the “workman” mentality that Jason Witten has exuded throughout his career would not be far off.
New York has frequently looked at the Big Ten as a breeding ground for the use of their draft picks. Michigan’s David Harris, Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg and the recently released Nick Mangold have all played in one of the best conferences in college football. Ohio State specifically has produced many former Jets players. Some have excelled, as in Mangold’s case, and others have floundered, Vernon Gholston comes first to mind.
Ohio State wide receiver, Noah Brown could find himself as the latest Buckeye to join Gang Green. Brown, like JuJu Smith-Schuster, is a big bodied receiver who has no fear when it comes to going after a ball that will put his body at harm. Where Brown may not have a ceiling like Juju is with his acceleration off the line. Again, could be a nice possession receiver and touchdown machine for Gang Green, if he can stay healthy.
Alternative Picks: Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech and Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
Round 6 & 7: Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee and Eric Saubert, TE, Drake
Low risk, high reward, that sentiment describes the sixth and seventh rounds of the NFL Draft. Everyone knows the story of Tom Brady, especially the Jets faithful. There may never be a player that falls like that to go on to having the storied career he has had. But there are players like Julian Edelman who are selected that late and over time can prove themselves to be a contributor that can lead to Super Bowl wins.
Josh Malone is a player that could defy the odds and become a contributor to any team’s quest for a Super Bowl win. Malone is a speedster that can jump to the rafters, but the inconsistencies in the offense have made it difficult for him to shine. A great combine will push him into the earlier rounds, but as it stands, Malone will find it hard to separate himself from players like Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Ford and Washington State’s Gabe Marks based on video alone.
Would Malone be an upgrade over a player such as Robby Anderson or Charone Peake to earn a spot with the Jets? Josh will need to treat every ball thrown to him at the combine as the most important reception of his career. The margin of error for a prospect in Malone’s position is much smaller than a Mike Williams, who had the benefit of playing with Deshaun Watson to boost his productivity.
Drake is a name known more for its rap game than a football powerhouse. But in 2017, Drake Football could produce a tight end prospect that may someday become a household name. If Eric Saubert can eliminate the drops on short passes and provide reliability in the intermediate game, his large frame and speed will be an asset to any NFL team looking for an end zone threat.
Alternative Picks: Gabe Marks, WR, Washington State and Stacy Coley, WR, Miami
All statistics referenced were obtained through sports-reference.com unless otherwise stated.