New York Jets: Grading Their Entire 2015 Draft Class

By Nikhil Potpally | May 3, 2015

With the 2015 NFL Draft behind us, let’s take a look at how the entire New York Jets 2015 draft class stacks up.

Mike Maccagnan has certainly has brought approval to the Jets fan base after his offseason moves. His first draft with the Jets resulted in six new players, all of whom may be able to contribute starting this season.

Round 1: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Reaction: Williams was widely regarded as the best talent in the entire 2015 NFL Draft, and it was a big surprise that he dropped all the way down to No. 6. Even though the Jets were already stacked on the defensive line, Williams was simply too good to pass up. This pick doesn’t fill a need, but the value is great.

Grade: A+

Round 2: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

Reaction: Smith brings the speed aspect to the wide receiving corps that the Jets were looking for. They were missing a true vertical deep threat, and Smith looks like he can fill that void. He projects to have big play ability, and currently is in the mold of a Mike Wallace type player.

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Grade: A-

Round 3: Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville

Reaction: Pass rush from the LB unit was a need for the Jets going into the draft, and Mauldin could be a solid fit. The Jets traded down in Round 3, and took a player with an amazing life story. His measurables may be lacking, but his motor seems to make up for it. He could compete with their current LBs for playing time, and may eventually become a pass-rush specialist in Bowles’s defensive scheme.

Grade: B

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) drops back to pass against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

Reaction: Trading up one spot to select Petty was their Day 3 highlight. Petty thrived in the Baylor offense, but it may not necessarily translate to the pros. His tendency to not throw interceptions could have been due to the system, but many still had him ranked higher than the other available QB, Brett Hundley. I don’t think he’ll beat out Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick to start Week 1, but this could be a good developmental pick.

Grade: C+

Round 5: Jarvis Harrison, OL, Texas A&M

Reaction: Shoring up the offensive line with Harrison was a wise move by the Jets’ front office. He projects as a versatile lineman who could begin the season as a solid reserve. His motivation seems to be the only question, but if he corrects that issue, then he could be a steal. A decent move for a team which had offensive line troubles last year.

Grade: B

Round 7: Deon Simon, DT, Northwestern State

Reaction: Selecting another defensive lineman was a questionable move. The Jets were already loaded on the line before taking Williams, so adding Simon may be extra weight. Simon is a hard-worker, but positional depth seems to be the major factor here. They may have been better off by using the pick on a speedy running back who could break off large runs.

Grade: D

Overall Grade: B+

This grade is very premature, as it is impossible to judge any of these players without having played a single down in the NFL. Based on past performances and projected outcomes, I rate the Jets drafting process for this year as good (certainly better than last year’s). Their selections balanced value with need, and could very well provide some solid core players for the near future.

Next: Did the Jets make any other upgrades on Saturday?

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