Last year, the JETS brain-trust flipped some picks and landed their franchise QB in Sam Darnold. Early returns indicate that he indeed could be the man. He certainly already looks like their best man under center since Richard Todd, for this team. Then, this off-season, the team hired Adam Gase as their new Head Coach. This also looked like a move to help develop DARNOLD, given that Gase has a reputation as a QB Whisperer. GASE was able to hire GREG WILLIAMS as his DC. Williams may be a bit coarse, to put it mildly, but he knows how to run an NFL Defense, and inspires loyalty from his defensive troops.
So what next for a team that still seems to be a bit shy on NFL talent up and down the roster? I say look for quality, and use your 6 Picks as they roll around on Draft weekend. It looks to me like the team landed 5 VFA’s who should start for them, as upgrades over the guys they replace. The big star additions are LE’VEON BELL/RB and C.J. MOSLEY/LB.
Round 1, Pick 3
JOSH ALLEN OB/DE KENTUCKY 6’5/262 PP#3
Allen has all the makings of an NFL Star, in short order. He’s long and lean and can rush the pocket, as well as drop into coverage. I believe he has the potential to do the things that Khalil Mack has done in his pro career. His versatility will also come in handy in today’s NFL. DC WILLIAMS may have some serious fun finding ways to utilize Allen’s athleticism. ALLEN joins Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams as big time play-makers for this defense. With Williams and Bosa off my Board this is the no-brainer pick for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!
Round 3, Pick 68
MICHAEL DEITER OG/C WISCONSIN 6’5/304 PP#69
DEITER, not of Sprockets fame, started 54 games during his career at UW, and he has played every spot along that OL, including LT in 2017. He’s savvy and efficient. I see him competing for a starting job in NYC at either OG or OC as a Rookie. In a pinch, on game day, he could be active and prepared to play any of the 5 OL spots. He lacks the ideal arm length for OT (32 1/2″), but his 11 1/8″ hands should allow him to move defenders around near the line-of-scrimmage. Jonathan Harrison is at the top of their depth chart at OC right now, but Deiter could change that. In case you have not been paying attention, OL prospects coming out of Madison, WI have gained a lot of roster spots in NFL OL groups in recent years. Deiter might give the Jets that long term OL leader that they had in another Big Ten star named NICK MANGOLD.
Round 3, Pick 93
RILEY RIDLEY WR GEORGIA 6’1/199 PP#92
RIDLEY is the younger brother of Calvin Ridley, who was an impact Rookie for the Falcons in 2018. But don’t go running to find highlight reels of Calvin to guesstimate what Riley will do in the NFL. RILEY does not have his brother’s speed, but most scouts agree that he may be the best route runner of this year’s WR prospects. He also has shown dependable hands on the catch. With all hands on board and healthy, the JETS have the makings of a good receiving corps for Darnold to throw to. RIDLEY would just make it that much better. Maybe he came out a year too soon, but he should eventually be the real deal. The only question may be how soon. For the JETS sooner, rather than later, would be preferred. If he turns up his motor a couple of notches, he could have a very nice NFL career.
Round 4, Pick 105
DARNELL SAVAGE DB MARYLAND 5’11/199 PP#106
Savage really came on for the Terps as a senior. He’s a tough guy, with good athleticism and a real nose for the ball. He is adept in run support and has good ball skills in coverage. He really packs a wallop when he tackles. I list him as a DB because I have seen him perform well as a CB, but that was college. S is his best spot. I could see him in Nickel and Dime packages as a Rookie, and he should also excel on Special Teams units. The JETS are very thin at the S position right now, once you get past very good starters in ADAMS/MAYE, most of their current back-ups do their best work on Special Teams. Savage could be a really solid contributor right away for their overall secondary group.
Round 6, Pick 196
MATTHEW GAY K UTAH 6’0/232 PP#200
Before you question my sanity with this Pick, I would ask Jets fans to list all the Kickers their team has had in the past decade. Way too many is the correct answer. GAY, by far, is the strongest legged Place Kicker in this Draft class. He has a booming leg, and plenty of beef to drive the ball. He can hit the long ones. In his Utah career, he was 8/11 from 50+ yards out. He has the leg to put his kick-offs into the end zone. Some express concern that his length was aided by high altitude in Salt Lake City, but I watched him pounding the ball at the Shrine venue in St. Pete, at sea level. Interesting note, that at the end of each Shrine practice, he would try several attempts from 63-yards, the magic Tom Dempsey distance. He was very close on several attempts, and was upset with himself for not making any of them from that distance. I say it’s worth a try for a Kicker challenged team to use a Pick at 200 to get this guy into their Camp. If not drafted, I believe competition to sign him as an URFA will be quite high. Right now, the roster Kicker for the JETS is Chandler Catanzaro… again!
Round 7, Pick 217
JESPER HORSTED WR/H-B 6’3/224 PRINCETON PP#207
After a winded first practice, trying to keep up with the practice pace of mostly D-1 athletes at the Shrine, HORSTED got in a groove and competed very well. He is clearly a big bodied kid, who will be a project for an NFL coaching staff, but could be a solid contributor in a couple of years. Even though an Adam Gase Offense does not feature a FB on its roster, this guy could get up to 230+ and function as a Move-TE/H-Back. I expect that he will be able to assume multiple roles as a Special Teamer to earn his keep at the bottom of their roster to start out. He showed nice hands at the Shrine venue and can beat most LB’s coming out of his route cuts. By the end of Shrine Week, his name was being mentioned in a positive tone by an awful lot of guys standing near me on the sideline at practice.
With a strong draft class, a couple more VFA’s and some URFA surprises, this team could find itself positioned to approach a .500 record in 2019, and move into Play-Off contention with another productive Draft in 2020! Just remember that the division bully Patriots just suffered a serious loss with the retirement of one Rob Gronkowski.
Pigskin
