JETS DRAFT 2016
Round 1: ILB Darron Lee, B+
Lee was a solid value at the 20th overall pick and Todd Bowles ought to be thrilled that he got a speedy linebacker to bolster his defense. In recent seasons the Jets' coverage skills from their linebackers had been lacking, as David Harris and Demario Davis were more or less inept in that area. Lee should fix that quickly, and Bowles can get creative with how he uses the versatile defender.
Though Erin Henderson technically occupies the spot that Lee will take, in reality this pick filled a need for the Jets.
As a solid coverage linebacker, first-rounder Darron Lee filled a need for the Jets.
(KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/USA TODAY SPORTS)Round 2: QB Christian Hackenberg, D
There are two major issues here with the selection of Hackenberg. Most important is that the Jets reached for him with the 51st overall pick. Had they taken the Penn State quarterback in the fourth round, it wouldn't have been much of an issue. But one of Mike Maccagnan's favorites phrases is "opportunity cost" and in this case, there was quite a large one. A contributor to the 2016 team could have been found here. Instead, they got a project. Getting a quarterback to develop, and perhaps giving up on Geno Smith, seems perfectly reasonable, but a little later in the draft.
On top of that, Hackenberg's accuracy issues are troubling. The Jets are banking on two things here:
1. That Chan Gailey and the coaching staff can improve his game.
2. That the system fit the last two seasons was at fault for causing Hackenberg’s numbers to take a downturn.
That seems risky at 51 overall.
Jordan Jenkins
(DAVID STEPHENSON/AP)Round 3: OLB Jordan Jenkins, B+
Jenkins' old teammate, Leonard Floyd, had 17 sacks over the last three seasons and was picked by the Bears at No. 9 overall. All the way down in round three the Jets landed Jenkins, who managed 14 sacks in that time.
What makes him a good pick is that he can be a replacement as the strong-side outside linebacker -- Calvin Pace's old position -- because he has more skills than just pass rushing. This was a big need for the team, so Jenkins could get a lot of playing time right away.
Round 4: CB Juston Burris, B
A good scheme fit for the Jets because he has experience in man coverage. Has good size and what makes this work is that the Jets have time to develop him. Eventually the Jets will need cornerbacks, but even if Burris isn't ready yet, they'll have Darrelle Revis, Marcus Williams and Buster Skrine as their top cornerbacks. But this puts Burris in the team's cornerback pipeline -- which is needed because the position is so important in Todd Bowles' defense -- so that he can contribute down the road.
Round 5: T Brandon Shell, C+
This grade has more to do with what the Jets spent on Shell than the player himself. They dealt a future fourth-round pick in order to select Shell, and in general paying a round up to advance a pick by a year is a pretty steep price to pay. So Shell better turn into a starter.
For whatever reason he has played worse at left tackle than right tackle, so ideally for the Jets they groom him for a year to replace Breno Giacomini in 2017.
Round 7: P Lachlan Edwards, C
Did the Jets need to make this pick? They signed another UDFA punter, Tom Hackett, who also happens to be Australian, coincidentally. It's good to have two unproven punters compete, but both probably would have been very attracted to the Jets anyway during the undrafted free agent process because they wouldn't have had to deal with an incumbent. The only reason this makes sense is if the team was worried Edwards would have been taken by someone else.
Round 7: WR Charone Peake, B
Peake is a perfect low-risk, high-reward option for the Jets late. No question he has potential given his physical talents, and he dropped down draft boards partially because of injuries that plagued his college career and partially because he was overshadowed by some exceptional receivers. Worth a shot.
