The New York Jets need a few more pieces to get over the hump. This puts a ton of pressure on their incoming rookie class.
The New York Jets had a variety of issues in 2017, they could use some further instruction to correct those issues.
The first case they should study is the 2017 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Look at the impact players immediately being thrown in the fold.
- Marshon Lattimore won the defensive rookie of the year award and quickly became one of the top corners in the league.
- While their other first-round pick (the Brandin Cooks trade), the Saints got a key cog on the offensive line in Ryan Ramczyk.
- Marcus Williams was a ball hawk all year reeling in four interceptions and being another early contributor for this team.
- Their third-round pick Alvin Kamara won the offensive rookie of the year award and was electric on the ground and through the air.
Four impact players from one draft class, that’s a game changer.
If Marcus Williams would’ve wrapped up properly this team would’ve been in the NFC title game and who knows what would’ve happened from there.
So the moral of the story is simple, you step up to the plate and swing a few home runs in April and the draft could be paying dividends sooner rather than later.
Which #NFLDraft prospects will make the biggest impact as rookies?@MoveTheSticks ranks his Top 5 → https://t.co/2NEwveAHIh pic.twitter.com/zn5OfVoNu2
— New York Jets (@nyjets) February 10, 2018
So NFL Insider Daniel Jeremiah ranked his top five prospects who could make the biggest impact in the NFL.
- Saquon Barkley, Running back, Penn State
- With the value of running backs in today’s game, many people would question this pick for the Jets. But I would say this, the Jets need playmakers, that’s exactly what Barkley is.
- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame
- It wouldn’t be sexy, but it would be effective. The Jets haven’t invested a first-round pick on the offensive line since 2006, it may be time to change the script.
- Bradley Chubb, Edge, NC State
- Best edge rusher in the NFL Draft, he likely won’t be there at six, but that’s what we said about Jamal Adams and Leonard Williams over the last two years too.
- Vita Vea, DT, Washington
- Would the Jets go back to the defensive line in the first round? God, I hope not, but Vita Vea has a ton of talent, six would be a little too rich for his value, but the Jets need to revamp the line.
- Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
- One of the most underrated needs for the Jets this offseason. If they sign Kirk Cousins in free agency, they’ll have a ton of flexibility in the draft which is a huge plus on draft day.
Other Jets News, Stories:
- Is Leonard Williams ready to be a star? (Darryl Slater of NJ.com).
- Robby Anderson charged with 10 different violations (Rich Cimini of ESPN New York).
- SNY: Pick six with Terrance Brooks (Eric Allen of NewYorkJets.com).