New York Jets: Top priorities for this year’s draft – EWB Roundtable
By Ed Stein
Ed Stein, Site Expert, Empire Writes Back
It’s an easy argument that on a team that was 4-12 last year and 14-34 over the past three season, almost no one is indispensable. Aside from Jamal Adams, Sam Darnold, and Leonard Williams, job security will be scarce under new head coach Adam Gase.
What the New York Jets need and what is available in the draft are two different things. They need playmakers, at skill positions, on both sides of the ball. Aside from the defensive line, there isn’t that type of player available this time around, especially picking third. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan recognizing the situation might be willing to make a deal and trade down to acquire more picks.
Just because skill position playmakers aren’t available, it doesn’t mean that the Jets can’t fill their holes. I expect Gang Green, with close to $100M in cap space, to sign a running back (they want Le’Veon Bell) and an edge rusher. So they need to draft in other areas.
If they do trade down, they can get a blue-chip offensive line prospect. After Brandon Shell and Brian Winters, the O-Line isn’t very good. I expect if the Jets do trade down, it will be to acquire a cornerstone offensive lineman. They also might draft a few more in an effort to keep Darnold upright and open some holes for the running game. That should be their top priority.
After that, their focus should be to add depth to the corners and linebackers. Any offensive skill players should be late round projects.