The 2018 NFL Draft is complete and it’s time to evaluate how teams did. First up in our series of NFL Draft grades will be the New York Jets. Every pick has been graded in the latest podcast including a grade for addressing the team’s needs. How did the Jets do in this draft? What are my thought on Sam Darnold? all of this is in the podcast link below.
Podcast: New York Jets Draft Grade
With the NFL Draft approaching let’s take a look at the New York Jets. Here is our full seven round mock draft for the New York Jets
Round 1: Josh Allen: QB Wyoming
At three the Jets hope they find their franchise quarterback in Josh Allen.
The Jets paid a hefty price to move up to the third pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. In my mock draft I have the Cleveland Browns picking Sam Darnold with the first pick and the Denver Broncos selecting Josh Rosen with the second after trading up with the New York Giants.
Physically, There may not be a more intriguing prospect than Allen who displayed his big arm at the Wyoming pro day and has the size and mobility reminiscent of a young Big Ben. The big drawback for Allen was a completion percentage of under 60% but he did show better accuracy in the Wyoming bowl game and in workouts.
Allen would be in an ideal situation with the Jets where he wouldn’t have to play right away and develop behind Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. Another big plus for Allen is that he is coming out of the same pro style in college that Carson Wentz had which could make the transition to the pros easier.
Allen has the highest ceiling of all the quarterback prospects. However, he will need to work on his accuracy but the good news is the Jets can develop next season while McCown or Bridgewater starts until Allen is ready.
Round 3: Josh Sweat: Edge: Florida State
The Jets need to add pass rushers on the edge.
Josh Sweat could fall in the draft because of past knee issues. If his knee checks out, the Jets should look to draft Sweat who is a speed rusher off the edge that they desperately need. With 5.5 sacks last season, if healthy Sweat has the speed to be an edge rusher and while he could use some work on his technique, has the physical traits you look for in a rush outside linebacker.
Even if he cannot be an every down linebacker, Sweat would be valuable in pass rushing situations especially with New York no longer having Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson on the defensive line. The Jets don’t have a true speed rusher off the edge and could be a compliment with Darron Lee giving the Jets two speed linebackers that could drive offensive coordinators crazy.
Even if he is only on the field in passing situations, Sweat could be the pass rushing specialist off the edge that New York has been looking for.
Round 4: Shaquem Griffin: LB: UCF
Griffin is one of the most inspiring stories in this year’s draft, but the truth is he can play.
Shaquem Griffin was the feel good story of the NFL combine. Despite only having one hand, he lost his left hand due to a prenatal condition, he impressed with a 4.38 forty yard dash and 20 bench reps. Griffin can play inside and outside linebacker and was a playmaker with UCF 74 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2017.
Griffin would be a versatile roll player in the Jets defense that could line up both inside and outside. Don’t forget the team has had issues with former first round pick Darron Lee, who was suspended for a game after missing a team meeting last season. Griffin would give the linebacking core some much-needed depth and with his speed would be a valuable member of the special teams. A pick that adds depth, versatility, and speed to the defense. It makes too much sense for the Jets to draft Griffin.
Round 5: Dalton Schultz: TE: Stanford
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 28: Dalton Schultz #9 of the Stanford Cardinal makes a reception during their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
With the Jets unable to sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins they have a big hole at tight end. While the front office is high on Jordan Leggett, it wouldn’t hurt to have another tight end in the fold.
Schultz was limited in school with catches and despite not being a blocking tight end, is no slouch when it comes to the running game. The lack of passing numbers is without question a result of Stanford’s dominating run game last season. However, the skillset and athleticism bode well for Schultz to be a productive tight end at the next level.
Stanford head coach David Shaw, who is one of the most respected coaches in college football has gone on the record to say that Schultz was the most complete tight end the program has ever had. A well-rounded tight end that could compete for the starting role in the fourth round makes too much sense for the Jets to pass up here.
Round 6: Amari Coleman: CB: Central Michigan
With Buster Skrine’s large cap number for a slot corner, the Jets could look to bolster the secondary in the later rounds
The Jets made a splash in free agency signing Trumaine Johnson and bring back Morris Claiborne as the team’s starting cornerbacks. While the Jets have a few corners on the depth chart, the could still use some depth which would also allow them to cut Buster Skrine and his large cap fit.
The Jets have already had Coleman for a workout and at 5’10 and 190 pounds, he has the skill set to be a slot corner in the NFL. The Jets have been known to look at small schools in the late rounds and could add depth with Coleman at corner and on special teams. He has the ability to make plays on the ball, eight picks in his collegiate career, but more importantly can make plays with the ball returning three of those picks for touchdowns.
With his ability to make plays the Jets could be looking at turning Coleman into a returner as well. The Jets did invest two picks in last year’s draft at corner, but in today’s NFL you can never have enough productive corners and Coleman could be a nice late round addition for next season.
Round 7: Bilal Nichols: DE/DT: Delaware
What was once the Jets strength, now needs help.
How things have changed so quickly. Last year during the draft the Jets strongest and deepest unit was its defensive line. Twelve months later, the Jets have moved on from Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad WIlkerson and what was once their strength has now become a big question mark for the defensive unit. The Jets could add a veteran or two for depth before the start of the season, but experts have noted the Jets have strong interest in the draft specifically in Delaware’s Bilal Nichols.
At 6’4 and 306 pounds, Nichols has the size to play a 3-4 end or inside at defensive tackle. At Delaware he flashed the ability to get after the quarterback with 5.5 sacks, four passes deflected, and a blocked kick. At the very least Nichols gives the Jets depth at both the end and defensive tackle position. This unit lacks depth and will need to add some in the draft. Finding an athletic 306 pounder in the seventh round is a good flier for the Jets to take. Even he doesn’t become a starter, Nichols at the very least would be a backup to a unit that is lacking bodies.
It’s the first Rich Sports Talk NFL Mock Draft this year. This will be the first of many mock drafts that will be done this year including ones with drafts. The mock draft will cover all 32 picks in the first round and for this one their will be no trades.
However, you may be surprised how many quarterbacks come off the board given the talent pool of signal callers in this year’s class. Want to know who your team drafted? Listen to find out.
What looked like the perfect marriage is beginning to look like an inevitable divorce. After Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career season with the New York Jets, the 33-year-old quarterback is testing the free agent market much to the chagrin of his former team.
Sources are saying that Fitzpatrick and the Jets are not close in terms of an agreement. The Jets, don’t want to break the bank for the 33 year old journeyman quarterback and do not have the cap space to pay for a rich contract.
On the other hand, Fitzpatrick has seen the quarterback market explode this offseason.
Despite the career season, the New York Jets are smart not to overpay the 33 year old journeyman.
Brock Osweiler, who has started seven games in his career just signed a four year $ 72 Million deal with the Texans while in Philadelphia Sam Bradford’s 11 touchdown and 10 interception earned a $36 Million two year deal. After throwing a career high 31 touchdown in 2015, Fitzpatrick is poised for his last big payday.
While the market for the quarterback seems to be slow and in the Jets favor, one dark horse team in the mix could be the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have a Super Bowl caliber defense and now have a gaping hole at the quarterback position would be a possible destination for the veteran signal caller.
Still, Fitzpatrick’s best seasons have come under Jets’ offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and another year in that system could mean an even better season from Fitz Magic in 2016. However, if another team does come along, it would be disastrous for the Jets.
What direction would they go in? Back to Geno Smith? Bryce Petty? This year’s draft? Trade for Colin Kapernick? Try to revitalize RG III? All of these options are less then ideal for a team that has the potential to be a contender. Given that the young quarterbacks on the roster or in this upcoming draft puts the Jets in a tough position. The problem is only exacerbated by less then ideal veterans options whose baggage and contracts outweigh the upside. The Jets are also smart not investing a ton of money in someone that is not going to be the franchise quarterback for the long-term.
Either way if the Fitz Magic has officially run out, then general manager Mike Maccagnan will have to perform his own magic trick to salavage the quarterback position for next season.
Jameis Winston: Round 1 Pick 1 
This pick has seemingly been locked for a long time. Winston has been the consensus top quarterback in the class and has been almost locked as the top pick for months. Barring some trade or a bold decision, it looks like Winston will be a Buccaneer. It makes too much sense. Tampa Bay has been desperate fort a franchise quarterback for years, Winston is from the Tampa area, the small market could help the media exposure around Winston, and Tampa has some great weapons on offense. With the state of the NFC South, it’s not that far-fetched that if Winston can play well from day one, the Buccaneers could compete for the division title.
Marcus Mariota: Round 1 Pick 2
The biggest question about this year’s draft will be where will Mariota go? Will he be drafted high or fall? Will a team trade up for him? Which team could trade for him? In this scenario I have Tennessee grabbing him here for one of two reasons. First, they need a franchise quarterback and Zach Mettenberger is probably not the answer. The other reason he could go here is that Tennessee could play the leverage game and try to trade him for more draft picks. Either way Mariota will probably be off the board sooner than later.
Bryce Petty: Round 1 Pick 19
Every year quarterbacks go earlier in the draft then projected. It is a quarterback driven lead after all and teams will be aggressive to get a quarterback before they come off the board. With two first round picks, the Browns have the luxury to use one of the picks on a quarterback while still getting a talented player with the other. I have Petty going with the later pick. Cleveland has made it clear that they are no longer sold on Manziel and Petty has the type of character make up a franchise would want at quarterback. Petty will need some time to sit and learn the playbook and with Josh McCown now on the Browns it has made it the perfect situation for Petty to sit and learn rather than playing right away. It also could give Cleveland the excuse to move on from Manziel.
Garrett Grayson: Round 2 Pick 6
The Washington Redskins could be looking to move on from Robert Griffin III. However, they probably will not want to use a first round pick on a quarterback even if Mariota is available. In the second round Washington could take a shot on Garrett Grayson who has been battling Hundley and Petty to be the third quarterback off the board. Grayson has the size and enough arm talent to possibly be a future franchise quarterback in the NFL. While Griffin has more physical talent, the problems with his leadership and durability will have Washington looking for a possible replacement plan.
Brett Hundley: Round 2 Pick 23 UCLA 
Despite three different quarterbacks in 2014, the Arizona Cardinals were able to make the playoffs. However, with Carson Palmer’s health now a question mark the team needs a solid backup plan. Hundley could be the future starter in Arizona, and could be groomed in the meantime under Palmer. Arizona has the defense to be a contender but they will need a quarterback to get there. Hundley could be that option if Palmer is hurt again and Hundley’s skill set is perfect for not only this team but this division. With a division with great defenses and pass rushers, a mobile quarterback in the pocket is crucial. There’s a reason the NFC West has two of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league, it’s because this division has great defenses. Arizona needs a quarterback to get back to the postseason and Hundley is a great security blanket should Palmer get hurt again.
Where will Mariota go? This has been the biggest question when it comes to the 2015 NFL Draft. At the moment, it is assumed that Florida State’s Jameis Winston will be drafted with the first overall pick. After that, the picture gets very murky.
Could the Titans draft Mariota? While the team does have Zach Mettenberger primed to take over the starting role, the Titans may feel that Mariota has more upside and better mobility to make up for Tennessee’s shaky offensive line then Mettenberger.
What about the Redskins? The Robert Griffin saga could be reaching its conclusion with Griffin’s option for next season counting for $16 Million against the cap. The organization may decide that the once emerging star and rookie of the year has overstayed his welcome in the nation’s capital.
The Jets? Even though the Jets front office has been adamant that it will continue to try to develop Geno Smith, head coach Todd Bowles has said that the Jets will look to address the quarterback position in the draft. New York hasn’t had a franchise signal caller since Joe Namath and could feel that Mariota is their future franchise quarterback.
Even beyond those teams there has been numerous speculations especially that Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles, who have been wheeling and dealing all offseason, will try to move up to take Mariota even though Kelly denies this possible option. However, there is one team that people aren’t talking about who could be in the sweepstakes for Mariota’s services and has the ammunition to go up and get the quarterback. That team is…
The Cleveland Browns. Scratching your head? Let me explain. Despite the poor play at quarterback last season Cleveland finished with a 7-9 record and had a chance to make the playoffs. Cleveland is desperate for a franchise quarterback and thought that they might have found one in last year’s draft. Unfortunately, Johnny Football is now Johnny Rehab as last year’s first round pick has careened out of control. While Cleveland still has holes at the wide receiver and tight end, the most glaring is quarterback.
While the Browns have signed Josh McCown
he is a stop-gap at best at this point in his career. The team has no idea when Manziel will be back and more importantly if he can play in the NFL. Cleveland needs a franchise quarterback to build around and has something no other team has, two first round picks.
Cleveland could trade both picks, or move one pick will keeping the other first round pick this year in a package deal to move up and grab Mariota. If they elect to keep a first rounder this year, and presumably give up high future picks, the team could use that pick to give Mariota a play maker. Would Mariota make the Browns a contender over night? Probably not, but Cleveland is in a better spot then people think.
Despite their tough division and poor quarterback play last season the team finished with a decent record. Mike Pettine has a solid running game and an underrated defense. Like Rex Ryan, we know that Pettine’s square will have a formidable defense. If Mariota can come in and make plays then the Browns could make a run at a division title as soon as next year.
Will this happen? It’s anyone’s guess. While it would make sense for Cleveland to move up, they may feel there are better quarterback options later in the draft or they still, I don’t see how, but still have faith in Johnny Manziel. Either way, don’t be surprised if a franchise that’s been desperate for a franchise quarterback decides to pull the trigger and move up for Mariota.
One thing we do know. It’s going to be an interesting draft because Mariota could go anywhere.
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