New York Jets: 2016 Seven-Round Mock Draft

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Sep 20, 2014; Annapolis, MD, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Kyle Flood speaks with linebacker Steve Longa (3) on the sideline during the first quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Seventh-Round: Steve Longa

With trades of their fifth and sixth-round picks for Clady and Fitzpatrick, the Jets will have their final pick in the seventh-round. In the seventh-round, the Jets will be selecting a player from their backyard in Rutgers’ linebacker Steve Longa.

Longa redshirted in his freshman season before becoming the starting middle linebacker for Rutgers in 2013. He led the team in tackles with 123 in 2013, which helped earn Freshman All-American Honors. After being a freshman All-American, he was moved to weak-side linebacker where he would go on to lead the team in tackles for the next two seasons.

The Jets could use some young depth at the linebacker position, but Longa would be a long shot, to say the least, to be a starter as a rookie. He is a hard worker which the Jets will like, but he projects as a backup player at the next level, which is fine for a seventh-round pick.

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The tackling production from Longa at Rutgers was very impressive and should translate to the next level nicely. He does lack some speed and agility which hurts him in coverage, but he is a sure tackler, who can improve with his hard work ethic.

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