With the NFL draft now two weeks in the past, everyone’s opinions of this year’s draft results are in the open. No one will know how this year’s draft will look until a few years down the road. However, it is never too early to second guess the selections made by New York Jets GM Mike Maccagnan. Here are the picks I would’ve made (in the spots the Jets selected, including trades):
Round 1:
Original Pick- S Jamal Adams… Redraft: S Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams was a no-brainer pick for the Jets at sixth overall. Arguably the best player in this year’s draft, Adams was the safest player in the draft. Adams has the ability to come in right away and play at a high level. He brings an alpha male, leadership personality that the Jets desperately need, and has shown he can live up to expectations as the son of a former NFL player, and big time college recruit. Selecting Malik Hooker, another safety, would have been the gutsy pick, but he likely has the higher ceiling. The Jets are not in a position to swing and miss with such a valuable pick, making Adams the logical choice.
Round 2:
Original Pick: S Marcus Maye… Redraft: CB Quincy Wilson
The Jets decided to double up at the safety position in the first two rounds, making it a new position of strength instead of a weakness. Maye seems poised to be a very good player, and a borderline first-round talent, however his college teammate Quincy Wilson would have been the better pick. Wilson is a player some analysts had as the top corner in this year’s draft, and has a much higher ceiling than Maye. The Jets need a true number one corner, and Wilson has the potential to be a lockdown #1 for years to come. Following the careers of the Jets one-two punch from this year’s draft compared to the Indianapolis Colts (Hooker and Wilson) will be very interesting, and potentially very frustrating for Jets fans moving forward.
Round 3:
Original Pick: WR Ar’Darius Stewart…Redraft: CB Fabian Moreau
In my redraft, the Jets double-down on cornerbacks, just like in real life, except in the earlier rounds of the draft instead of the end. The Jets desperately need help in the secondary, and Moreau is a big-time talent, who fell because of injury concerns. If the Jets had not traded down, Pat Elfin would have been my selection, as the top center in the draft, Elfin could have helped fix the offensive line.
Round 4:
Original Pick: WR Chad Hansen…Redraft: WR Chad Hansen
Chad Hansen is a potential stud. I think he may be the gem of this year’s Jets draft class. He has the speed and hands to become a reliable deep threat for the Jets. Hansen has the potential to turn into an above average number three receiver, if not more. His combination of size, speed, and toughness. Look for him to challenge Robby Anderson for snaps in year one.
Round 5:
Original Pick: TE Jordan Leggett…Redraft: TE Jordan Leggett
Leggett is another pick the Jets nailed. Leggett does have a reputation for being a bit of a lazy player, but he has the skills and build to be a good receiving option. The Jets have a huge hole at tight end, and Leggett was the best tight end left on the board, and possibly the best overall player left as well. Jake Butt going five picks before the Jets was unfortunate as he would’ve been a big steal in the fifth.
Original Pick: Dylan Donahue…Redraft: DT Caleb Brantley
In reality, Brantley wouldn’t be here at this point in the draft if it weren’t for his pending court case, which since the draft’s end have been dropped. He is a true steal at this point in the draft, even at a position that the Jets have filled.
Round 6:
Original Pick: RB Elijah McGuire…Redraft: TE Bucky Hodges
A theme in this draft for the Jets was doubling down on positions, and Tight End would have been a good one to do that on. Hodges is another tight end with potential, and is a very good value in the sixth round. At a position in which the Jets have very little talent, Hodges could have been a good pick.
Original Pick: CB Jeremy Clark…Redraft: RB Elijah Hood
Elijah Hood is a better all around prospect than McQuire. McQuire is seemingly only a receiving back, and the Jets could use a potential steal to help out the run game. McQuire should be a good weapon for the Jets but his upside is much lower than Hood.
Original Pick: Derrick Jones…Redraft: WR Malachi Dupre
Dupre was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and was a track star too. Dupre has elite speed, but is very raw. A flawed player with upside, worthy of a flier.
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