Round 1, Pick 6 Leonard Williams, DL, USC: In one of the surprises of the draft, Williams fell right into the Jets lap. While Defensive Line clearly was not a Jets need, this pick puts the D-line over the top. Williams can play inside or out and be dominant at both. This pick also gives the Jets leverage in negotiations with Mo Wilkerson. Immediate Impact: Grade : A Long Term Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 37, Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State: If you saw my Mock Draft 1.0 you would know that I wanted the Jets to come out of this draft with a WR to solidify the position. I cant say enough how much I love this pick. Smith is a burner, he can certainly get deep… for the first time in a long time, the Jets have depth at this position, this will allow Smith to come along slowly while still being a factor on Sunday. It should also be noted that Smith was the Gunner on ST for Ohio State. His value is not just as a WR but also on ST. Immediate Impact: Grade: B+ Long Term Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 83, Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville: We acquired this pick with a trade down in the 3rd round. I am sure you have heard by now that Mauldin was in 16 different foster homes as a child. I think that will speak to his toughness. I am not sure Mauldin will ever develop into a Pro Bowler but I do think he can be a very solid role player. Look for the jets to use him on passing downs. . Immediate Impact: Grade: C Long term: Grade: B+
Round 4, Pick 103, Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor: With a small trade up in round 4 the Jets got their QB of the future. I absolutely love this pick. Chances are Petty will not see the field this season but this will allow him the time he needs to make the adjustment to a pro style offense. I see Petty as the Jets starting QB in two or three years. Write this down… Petty will end up being the top QB of this draft class.. You heard it here first.. Immediate Impact Grade: C Long Term: Grade: A
Round 5, Pick 152, Jarvis Harrison G, Texas A&M: If you are able to pick up a potential starter in the 5th round of any draft it’s a potential home run. I think the pick of Harrison is exactly that. He will add needed competition to the position that may be this teams biggest concern going into this season. Todd Bowles is a defensive coach without a big time QB, there is no doubt that he will want to run the ball a lot. Harrison can compete for a starting/impactful role this season. Immediate Impact: Grade C Long Term: Grade C+
Round 7, Pick 223, Deon Simon, DT, Northwestern State: Simon is the only player the Jets drafted that I think has a long road ahead of him to make the roster. I see him as a practice squad player, which is not a bad thing, I just think he is more of a developmental player. Immediate Impact: Grade: D Long Term: Grade: D
Draft Trades: The Jets made several trades to pick up players that should be looked at along with the players they selected. A 5th round pick to the Bears for Brandon Marshall and a 7th that was later traded for Zac Stacy. Picking up these two players for one middle round draft pick is an absolute steal… Marshall becomes our number 1 WR and Stacy gives us a young RB who has proven he can play in this league. Like I said.. a steal!!
When the Jets moved down in Round 3 they picked up Texans WR DeVier Posey. Posey is a former 3rd round pick with the Texans who has battled a few injuries in his pro career. This trade (which also came with 2 additional picks) is a low risk high reward move. Posey brings the Jets some depth at the position.
Overall Draft Grade: The first draft for new General Manager Mike Maccagnan is in my opinion, the best draft the Jets have had in recent memory. He stuck to his “best player available” strategy and I think Jets fans should be thrilled. Its easy to grade a draft on paper before players even head to mini camp but I think the Jets did very well.
Immediate Impact: Grade: A- Long Term: Grade A